Radial Design 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 is usually different

and unique to each mandala. • The goal of the mandala is to serve as a tool on our

spiritual journey as it symbolizes cosmic and psychic order.

Examples of Mandala Designs

Rose Windows

Tibetan Mandala Design• The Tibetan mandala is a tool for

gaining wisdom and compassion and generally is depicted as a tightly balanced, geometric composition wherein deities reside.

• The principal deity is housed in the center.

• The mandala serves as a tool for guiding individuals along the path to enlightenment.

• Monks meditate upon the mandala, imagining it as a three-dimensional palace.

• The deities who reside in the palace embody philosophical views and serve as role models.

• The mandala's purpose is to help transform ordinary minds into enlightened ones.

Objectives

• Become aware of Radial design in art through examples of Rose windows and mandala designs from various cultures

• Understand math concepts as they relate to art• Create a radial design inspired from nature-

looking closely at insect, plants and/or flowers• Show awareness of color planning in selection

of colors

Materials

• Compasses or circle templates• Pencils• Erasers• Scissors• Markers and or colored pencils• 12” square white drawing paper

Art terms/Math vocabulary• Reflection- mirror image of a figure• Radial balance- elements that radiate out in a circular

pattern from a center point • Line of symmetry- the symmetry that a figure has if it can

be divided by a line into two parts that are mirror images.• Point of symmetry- rotational symmetry of 180 degrees.• Perpendicular- Two lines/planes that intersect a right angles• Diameter- a line segment that passes through the center of

a circle and has its two endpoints on the circle• Radius- the distance from the center of a circle to any point

on its circumference

Procedures1. Trace circle template onto 12” square paper. Neatly cut out

circle.2. Fold the circle in half, then in quarters, then in eighths.

Crease.3. Unfold and draw on only one of the “pie slices”4. The drawing needs to be complex and should touch the edge

of the pie slice at least 3 times.5. Once the pie drawing is completed, the slice is folded inward

and then the back of the paper is rubbed with a smooth hard tool to transfer the drawing to the adjacent pie slice.

6. Outline on the adjacent pie shape- this ¼ of the circle is folded in and transferred to the next quarter.

7. Fold over to transfer to the other half of the circle.8. Select a color plan and color using markers and/or colored

pencils.

Evaluation

• Did you exhibit radial balance in completing a design inspired by nature?

• Did you exhibit craftsmanship in coloring your design with colored pencils and/or markers?

Student Examples