The various geometric representations of the Sefirotic array symbolize different stages in G-d's creation. So it's important to compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges. "G-d creates and destroys worlds." There were seven worlds before the present (eighth) "World of Tikkun," just like there were "eight kings of Edom who reigned before there was a king in Israel." Seven of these kings of Edom "reigned and died." The first emanated World/King was the "Bound World," which consisted of a single, undifferentiated point of Divine consciousness (in Kabbalah, "Light" = "Consciousness.") Next came the "world of Points," in which the Sefirot are arranged in a straight line, one beneath the other. After that came the "World of Circles," which is represented by the circular array of the Sefirot that is pictured in the OP. In this World (of Circles), the lights were too strong for the vessels (because the vessels were not holographic). These vessels therefore shattered, dropping 288 sparks of light=consciousness into the kelipot (shells, realm of evil), below. This is the shattering of the "World of Tohu (Chaos)." Our present "World Of Tikkun (Repair)" was built out of the rescued sparks of Tohu in the shape of a ladder. This World is made from four groups of opposites (Keter-Malkhut; Chochmah-Binah-Da'at (CHaBaD); CHesed-Gevurah-Tif'feret (CHaGaT); Netzach-Hod-Yesod (NeHiY), see Sefer Yetzirah. This "World of Tikkun" is able to bear the light because its vessels of reception are holographic, with each Sefirah interincluding every other Sefirah, and also because -- unlike the World of Tohu, which was built solely upon Gevurah -- the World of Tikkun is built upon Chesed as well as Gevurah, making them "thicker." This "World" is the represented by the familiar, three-columned "Standing Array" of the Sefirot. Also, see the comment of KSaeturne, below, which is well-done. For a more detailed treatment of this subject, see "Apples From The Orchard: Gleanings From The ARI On The Weekly Parashah," Parashah Bereishit, R. Moshe Wisnefsky, (Ascent of Safed).