Creating a Mandala

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Creating a Mandala
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A mandala is an ancient religious symbol found in
many cultures.
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The design is usually a complex, circular design,
divided into four or eight parts.
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The design leads the eyes around the circle,
allowing the viewer to discover new areas, but
eventually draws the eye to the center.
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The word mandala is Sanskrit for healing
circle or wholeness.
Sanskrit is classical Indian Language
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Notice this mandala is made using colored sand.
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This five-and-a-half foot Medicine Buddha sand
mandala will be destroyed after it took three and
a half weeks to make. The monks will deposit
the sand in a body of water. This process
symbolizes that life is temporary and the ideal
of nonattachment to the material world.
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Mandalas are used for meditation, as an aid in
prayer, and for healing.
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Native Americans of the Southwest also use
mandalas.
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A famous mandala in European culture is the Rose
Window at Notre Dame.
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The Aztec carved stone calendar is a mandala
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This Ying Yang is a mandala. It is found on a
Bronze bell in a Taoist Temple in Shanghai,
China
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Lets explore some examples of mandalas
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Some are simple!
My mandala represents my family, my dreams , my
friends, my teacher, and my real life. The heart
means love for my family , my friends , and for
all the beautiful things in the world. The ocean
represents my dreams in my life. The butterfly
is for all the things that are natural. The book
is thanks to my teachers. The sun is the life and
the flowers too. The beautiful face reminds me of
my friends faces.
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Some are geometric!
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Some have patterns
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Use your favorite colors and have some fun!
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Nature can be your subject
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Doodle!
Try some symmetry
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Repeat an image!
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Use symbols
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Simply let your mind go in any direction
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Close out everything else and center on your own
thoughts
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Sometimes color is the most important part
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Lines can be very important
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Use many shades of one color to create unity
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Fill the negative space with texture
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Use symbols to reveal meaning and interests
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Start with a circle and then expand outward
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Any medium can be used
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It doesnt matter whether the design is simple or
complex
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Experience making a mandala!
Begin by drawing a circle
Open your mind to possibilities.