A nimbus, is a ring of light that surrounds a person in art. They are often used in religious works to depict holy or sacred figures, and have atvarious periods also been used in images of rulers or heroes. In, among other religions, Hellenistic Greek, Roman, Buddhist and Christian sacred art, sacred persons may be depicted with a halo in theform of a golden, yellow or white circular glow around the head, or around the whole body, which is often called a mandorla.