By: Mrs. Challenger English 2

The term mandala is from the classical Indian language of Sanskrit and is loosely translated to mean "circle“ or “complete”. However, it is far more than a simple shape! A mandala is... an integrated structure organized around a unifying center.

Oculus of the Pantheon, Rome 31 BC

Buddhist Borobudur Temple, Indonesia 800AD

Catholic Church Rose Window, Sweden

A personal mandala  is a tool used for self observation, growth, or goal making.  combines elements of an individual’s life, making a unique story based on the past, present and future.  is made based on information regarding personal beliefs, relationship to nature, family, animals, and so on.  is often created spontaneously and always unique to the individual - therefore no two are ever the same.

To celebrate a new school year, you are going to design your own personal mandala. Your personal mandala will represent you as a diverse and unique individual who is needed to create our class dynamic, and will be displayed among the other student’s mandala designs to symbolize you as an important part of our class, thus illustrating the concept of part of a whole.

Using a graphic organizer,  Reflect on yourself as a person-your past, present, and future, your goals, hopes, and dreams, things that are important or “sacred” to you, or anything that makes you who you are-- a unique, diverse, and important individual. Who are you? Who or what is important to you? What are some of your goals in life? Who or what has had the most influence on you? What do you hope to achieve in your lifetime? What makes you unique? Do you have any special talents?

 Consider who you are, where you want to go, what your future might look like.  Consider one symbol that might represent who you are, what you stand for.  With that symbol, you are going to create a Mandala.  Your Mandala should be in the shape of a circle because it is the most simple and universal shape in our universe.  There is also a center to every circle, and a center to every Mandala – to draw you into the center of yourself.

 Using your list, narrow your list to five symbols that represent you. The symbol that has the greatest significance to you should be your center.  Questions you may want to consider:  What symbols, when grouped together, define the most essential elements of your life?  What symbol offers special/unique insights about your life?  What symbols represent who I am, what I stand for, and the future I am striving for?  How are these symbols connected?

 From your personal reflection of yourself, brainstorm 3-4 of your most unique qualities.  Think about how you might illustrate your personal qualities that have shaped you on your personal mandala.

 Draw (or cut-out) some images that represent or symbolize your personal qualities.  Choose simple images that are the right size—not too big/not too small--and are easy to draw or cut and paste  You may choose to divide your mandala into 3 or 4 separate segments to show each unique personal quality, or into repeated segments where all of your personal qualities are shown several times.  Think about how your mandala will look when completed  Use scratch paper to make a blueprint of your mandala before you commit your symbols to the final template

 Add color to your personal mandala with markers or colored pencils.  Be sure to check your symbols for clarity and meaning—discuss with a partner.  Make any necessary changes before you finalize your mandala.  Write your first & last name and class block on the BACK of your mandala with a pencil.  Keep your mandala in your notebook until I ask you to turn it in to me.