Mandala comes from the classical Indian language Sanskrit. Loosely translated, the word means circle, but a mandala has symbolic meaning as well. The shape of a mandala is circular and has a pattern. Similar designs are seen in cultures in India and Tibet as well as Native American and Early Christian art.  Circles may represent celestial bodies, the whole universe, inclusiveness, or a group of friends or family. Nature is an inspiration for mandalas. Making one can be a meditative practice much like walking a labyrinth. Enjoy the process!

MATERIALS

• Sheet of white paper cut into a square
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Several round objects such as plates, lids, or coasters
• Ruler
• Black marker
• Colored pencils

PROCEDURES

Cut a sheet of white drawing paper into a square. HINT: Use your ruler!

Find the middle of the paper by using the ruler to measure. Mark with a light pencil mark.

Center the largest circular object on the paper and trace it with your pencil.

 

Place the next largest circular object on paper inside your drawn circle and trace it.

Continue with 2 – 3 more circles. The smallest circle should be in the center.

Fold the paper in half and then in half again so that you have a small square.

Fold the small square of paper diagonally in half so that you have a triangle.

Unfold the paper and use a ruler to draw over the folded lines vertically, horizontally and diagonally through the circles. This will result in 8 equal “pie” pieces.

Draw a design in all segments of one “pie” piece.

Repeat the same pattern in each of the remaining 7 pie shapes.

Trace over the pencil lines with a black marker to outline the pencil drawing

Use colored pencils to color in the design.