Mandalas

What is a mandala?The term mandala is derived from a Sanskrit word meaning “circle.”

In some Asian traditions, the mandala is used to represent the world or the cosmos, and the making of mandalas can be a highly meditative practice.

Each mandala has a different meaning and is unique to the artist(s) who designed it.

Mandalas can be spiritual or symbolic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3UhTAK1Q5g

1. Supplies

• Paper

• Pencil

• Compass

• Protractor

• Ruler

• Pencil Crayons

2. Draw your Circles

• Using your compass, draw concentric circles.

• They can be different distances apart, just make sure that they all have the same centre.

Concentric Circles Explained

3. Draw Lines

• Draw a vertical and horizontal line. The line must connect to the centre of your mandala.

• The lines should be at a perfect 90 degree angle from each other.

Draw Lines

3. Draw Lines, con’t

• Use your protractor to mark out the 45º marks between your vertical and horizontal lines.

• Then mark halfway between those lines as well. Connect your marks through the centre line all the way across your circle. This will divide your circle into 16 equal sections.

Draw Lines

Draw Lines

4. Start to Draw your Pattern!

• Working from the inside out, start to draw your pattern.

• You should repeat your pattern through all sections within that circle

4. Start to Draw your Pattern!

• Keep adding layers of different patterns. You can to outline a circle or go back and fill in blank spaces with more patterns and designs.

5. Erase Pencil Lines

• When you are happy with the look of your mandala, go back and erase any pencil lines that are not part of your pattern.

6. Colour your Mandala

Colour ChoicesBlack: the colour black represents death, darkness, evil, and mystery. It speaks of emptiness and the chaos of beginnings. Black signals sad, depressed, and mournful feelings.

White: the colour white represents light, purity, and spirituality.

Red: the colour red is associated with energy, anger, blood, and suffering. It can also represent a commitment to life, and the will to survive. Red can also mean fire: the fire of emotion, spirituality, and transformation.

Blue: the colour blue suggests calmness, serenity, and peace. Dark shades of blue convey the feeling of the night sky, darkness, and stormy seas; dark shades of blue may symbolize sleep and death.

Yellow: yellow is the colour of the sun. The light, warmth, and life-giving power of the sun are symbolized by yellow. Yellow is also associated with riches (gold), energy, and change. Yellow also symbolizes the ability to see or understand.

Green: the colour green represents spring, when all things are fresh and new. It represents Mother Nature, natural healthy growth, and the ability to nurture growing things. Darker colours of green symbolize more negative qualities, such as rotting plants and being “green with envy”.

Orange: the colour orange gives an impression of warmth and happiness. Orange also represents energy.

Purple: purple represents royalty. It also symbolizes a combination of energy and calmness (red and blue mixed together).

Pink: the colour pink represents emotions and youth.

SymbolsButterflies: butterflies are symbols of dramatic transformation.

Circles: circles represent eternity (no beginning and no end).

Cross: the cross represents balance. It can also symbolize life’s difficulties and opposites coming together.

Eyes: eyes represent the ability to see and understand.

Flowers: flowers are symbols of spring, beauty, and life.

Hearts: the heart is a symbol of personal or spiritual love.

Lightening: lightening symbolizes energy, ideas, and change.

Rainbows: rainbows are uplifting symbols that represent the return of happiness and goodness (the sun after the rain).

Squares: squares represent firmness, stability, and balance.

Stars: stars represent identity, self-worth, and a readiness to accomplish.

ParagraphStudents will write ONE paragraph, discussing their personal mandala. Be sure to discuss:

The symbols used in the mandala:

Why you chose each of these symbols:

The colours used in the mandala:

Why you chose these colours:

Creating your Mandala• When creating your mandala, choose symbols that represent you.

• Your mandala should be full colour – there should be no white space visible. Keep in mind that in the art of the mandala, each colour has a meaning, so the colours you use should be ones that best represent you.

• Be sure your mandala is neat and tidy, and that you have put in your very best effort.

• When you have completed your mandala, please write a paragraph on a separate sheet of paper, describing why you chose each particular colour and symbol. Please staple this paper to your mandala before you hand it in

Success Criteria

Presentation of Mandala: Full colour, neat, and tidy

Symbols and Colours: Reflect images and symbols of importance to artist

Paragraph: explain symbols and colours; spelling and grammar

Effort: expectations followed, effort noticeable

Creativity: original work, well planned and thought out