Personal Mandala

A Personal Mandala

What is a mandala?

The meaning of mandala comes from Sanskrit meaning "circle." Even though it may be dominated by squares or triangles, a mandala has a concentric structure. Mandalas offer balancing visual elements, symbolizing unity and harmony. The meanings of individual mandalas are usually different and unique to each mandala. The mandala symbolizes cosmic and psychic order.

1. Get a clean sheet of paper and a pencil.

2. Sketch 2, 3, or 4 symbols that are meaningful to you for your mandala.

3. LIGHTLY draw a circle on the paper using something round, such as a bowl.

4. Decide if you want to do your mandala like the ones above or below.

5. LIGHTLY draw a small shape in the middle of the circle. A diamond, square, circle, or a star all work well.

6. If you want to do your mandala like the ones above, LIGHTLY divide your circle into equal sections equal to the number of symbols you have. Draw one of your symbols in each of the sections.

7. If you want to do your mandala like the ones below, it's still helpful to divide your circle into equal sections. Repeat your first symbol around your center shape, then repeat your next symbol in another circle around your first symbol.

8. You may want to carefully go over all of your lines with a thin black marker, or you may want to trace your lines in color, or simply color it in with anything you have. Do it NEATLY!

9. Email the photo of it with your name, grade and school initials clearly visible to mekross@syrdiocese.org or text to 315-857-5100.