From micro to macro

The word "mandala" is from the classical Indian language of Sanskrit. It is loosely translated to mean "circle," however, a mandala is far more than a simple shape. It represents wholeness, and can be seen as a model for the organizational structure of life itself--a cosmic diagram that reminds us of our relation to the infinite, the world that extends both beyond and within our bodies and minds.

• The word "mandala" is from the classical Indian language of Sanskrit. It is loosely translated to mean "circle," however, a mandala is far more than a simple shape. It represents wholeness, and can be seen as a model for the organizational structure of life itself--a cosmic diagram that reminds us of our relation to the infinite, the world that extends both beyond and within our bodies and minds.

Describing both material and non-material realities, the mandala appears in all aspects of life: the celestial circles we call earth, sun, and moon, as well as conceptual circles of friends, family, and community.

• Describing both material and non-material realities, the mandala appears in all aspects of life: the celestial circles we call earth, sun, and moon, as well as conceptual circles of friends, family, and community.

From micro to macro The "circle with a center" pattern is the basic structure of creation that is reflected from the micro to the macro in the world as we know it. It is a pattern found in nature and is seen in biology, geology, chemistry, physics and astronomy.

• From micro to macro The "circle with a center" pattern is the basic structure of creation that is reflected from the micro to the macro in the world as we know it. It is a pattern found in nature and is seen in biology, geology, chemistry, physics and astronomy.

• On our planet, living things are made of cells and each cell has a nucleus -- all display circles with centers. The crystals that form ice, rocks, and mountains are made of atoms. Each atom is a mandala.

• Within the Milky Way galaxy is our solar system and within our solar system, is Earth. Each is a mandala that is part of a larger mandala.

• Flowers, the rings found in tree trunks and the spiraling outward and inward of a snail's shell all reflect the primal mandala pattern. Wherever a center is found radiating outward and inward, there is wholeness--a mandala.

• In the Americas, Indians have created medicine wheels and sand mandalas. The circular Aztec calendar was both a timekeeping device and a religious expression of ancient Aztecs.

• In Asia, the Taoist "yin-yang" symbol represents opposition as well as interdependence. Tibetan mandalas are often highly intricate illustrations of religious significance that are used for meditation.

Using a pencil, you begin by drawing a circle, then using radial balance, break the circle into equal sections.

• Using a pencil, you begin by drawing a circle, then using radial balance, break the circle into equal sections.

• Sections can be made using geometric or organic lines

• Geometric lines being straight, angular, precise, looks man-made

• Organic lines being free-form, loose, natural-looking

Sections then need to be filled with additional

• Sections then need to be filled with additional

• patterns and designs being very careful to keep

• the entire circle well-balanced.

You may use:

• You may use:

• colored pencil

• pencil

• ink (black only)

• Mixed media (a mix of the three above)

Your mandala must be:

• Your mandala must be:

• Neatly and precisely completed

• Show good radial balance

• Show good color choices---use a color scheme that enhances the mood which you want to convey

• Show control of the media used

• Completed and turned in by end of class on