The Art of the Mandala:

An Integrated Art, English, and

History Unit

This unit contains lessons/ handouts on the following:

-Unit Outline
What is a Mandala?
-Mandala Colors and Symbols
-Create Your Own Mandala
-Mandala Outline
-Developmental Workbook Entries
-Evaluation Criteria
 Unit Outline
Lesson One:
 Show students various images of mandalas. These can include images
found online of mandalas throughout history.
 Pass out the “What is a Mandala” handout. Read over and discuss as a
class.
 Pass out the “Create your own Mandala” handout. Read over and
discuss as a class.
 Pass out the Color and Symbol handouts. Read over and discuss as a
class.
 Begin work on Developmental Workbook entry #1. Have students
complete for homework.

Lesson #2
 Pass out the Mandala Outline. Have students begin drawing a rough
draft of their mandalas.

Lesson #3
 Pass out another copy of the mandala outline. Have students complete
their good copies.
Lesson #4
 Have students complete Developmental Workbook entry #2. Have
students use this completed workbook entry to help them complete the
paragraphs for their mandalas.
 Have students work on their mandalas and paragraphs, to be
completed for homework,

Lesson #5
 Collect mandalas and paragraphs. Hang mandalas around the class.
Have students browse this “art gallery”, and complete Developmental
Workbook entry #3.
 Remove mandalas from wall. Pass out random mandalas to students.
Give each student 3 copies of the Evaluation Criteria. Have students
peer mark 3 different mandalas.
 Collect all mandalas and evaluations. Mark using the Evaluation
Criteria.
 What is a Mandala?
A mandala is a wondrous and meaningful design
made in the form of a circle. These special drawings
were first created in Tibet over 2,000 years ago.
Since then, they have been made by cultures from
around the world, including the Aztecs and the
Navajo Indians. A simple definition of a mandala is that it is a circular
drawing made to represent ones harmony or wholeness. Tibetans used
mandalas for calming themselves and for thinking about the meaning of life.

Today, people often create mandalas in order to form a

simple representation of who they are. To create a
mandala, one must start by thinking of symbols that
represent them. Symbols may include things like a heart to
represent love, a dove to represent peace, an open hand to
represent friendship, or a tree to represent one’s love of
nature. After deciding upon symbols, one draws them
inside of the mandala.

A mandala is drawn in the shape of a circle because the circle is believed to

be the most simple and universal shape found in the world around us. The
center of the circle is meant to exercise the mind as one is drawn into the
center of one’s self.
 Create Your Own Mandala
For this assignment, you are required to create your own mandala. Because
your mandala will be a visual representation of who you are, you must
decide upon a group of symbols that best represent you. Use the symbol and
color handouts to help you with this.

In the center of the mandala, draw a symbol of the

one thing you think is most important to you. In the
spaces surrounding the circle, draw symbols of other
things you think are important. Your mandala should
be full color – there should be no white space visible.
Keep in mind that in the art of the mandala, each
color has a meaning, so the colors you use should be
ones that best represent you. Be sure your mandala is
neat and tidy, and that you have put in your very best effort.

When you have completed you mandala, please write a few paragraphs on a
separate sheet of paper, describing why you chose each particular color and
symbol. Please staple this paper to your mandala before you hand it in. You
will also be required to complete several entries in your Developmental
Workbook.

This assignment will be marked out of 35, according to the attached rubric.
This assignment will be due on _________________.
 Symbolic Meanings of Colors used
in the Creation of a Personal
Mandala
Black: the color black represents death, darkness, evil, and mystery. It speaks of
emptiness and the chaos of beginnings. Black signals sad,
depressed, and mournful feelings.

White: the color white represents light, purity, and spirituality.

Red: the color red is associated with energy, anger, blood, and
suffering. It can also represent a commitment to life, and the
will to survive. Red can also mean fire: the fire of emotion,
spirituality, and transformation.

Blue: the color blue suggests calmness, serenity, and peace. Dark shades of blue convey
the feeling of the night sky, darkness, and stormy seas; dark shades of blue may
symbolize sleep and death.

Yellow: yellow is the color of the sun. The light, warmth, and life-
giving power of the sun are symbolized by yellow. Yellow is also
associated with riches (gold), energy, and change. Yellow also
symbolizes the ability to see or understand.

Green: the color green represents spring, when all things are fresh and
new. It represents Mother Nature, natural healthy growth, and the ability
to nurture growing things. Darker colors of green symbolize more negative qualities,
such as rotting plants and being “green with envy”.
Orange: the color orange gives an impression of warmth and happiness. Orange also
represents energy.

Purple: purple represents royalty. It also symbolizes a

combination of energy and calmness (red and blue mixed
together).

Pink: the color pink represents emotions and youth.

Symbolic Meanings of Symbols used

in the Creation of a Personal
Mandala
Animals: animals symbolize the instinctual, non-rational aspects of
being.

Birds: birds are ancient symbols of spirituality, air, and transformation.

Butterflies: butterflies are symbols of dramatic transformation.

Circles: circles represent eternity (no beginning and no

end).

Cross: the cross represents balance. It can also symbolize life’s difficulties
and opposites coming together.

Eyes: eyes represent the ability to see and understand.

Flowers: flowers are symbols of spring, beauty, and life.

Hearts: the heart is a symbol of personal or spiritual love.

Lightening: lightening symbolizes energy, ideas, and change.

Rainbows: rainbows are uplifting symbols that represent the return of

happiness and goodness (the sun after the rain).

Squares: squares represent firmness, stability, and balance.

Stars: stars represent identity, self-worth, and a readiness to accomplish.

Trees: trees are a symbol of life and renewal.

Mandala Outline
 Evaluation Criteria
Create Your Own Mandala
Artist’s Name: Marked By:

Not Yet Within Meets Fully Meets Exceeds

Expectations Expectations Expectations Expectations
(Minimum)
Presentation: Full 0–1-2 3–4-5 6–7-8 9 - 10
color, neat and
tidy
Outer Symbols: 0–1 2-3 4 5
Reflect images of
importance to
artist
Inner Symbol: 0–1 2-3 4 5
Reflect image of
most importance
to artist
Paragraphs: 0 –1 – 2 –3 - 4 5–6 7–8 9 – 10
explain symbols,
spelling and
grammar
Effort: 0-1 1.5 2 2.5
expectations
followed, effort
noticeable
Creativity: 0-1 1.5 2 2.5
original work,
well planned and
thought out

Total Mark ____/35

 Create Your Own Mandala
Developmental Workbook Entry #1
Entry Title: Mandala Design Ideas

In the space below, sketch a few symbol and design ideas for your
mandala. Make sure that the symbols and colors represent you.
 Create Your Own Mandala
Developmental Workbook Entry #2
Entry Title: Mandala Meaning

The symbols I used around the outside of my mandala include:

I chose each of these symbols because:

The symbol I used in the inside of my mandala was:

I chose this symbol because:

 Create Your Own Mandala
Developmental Workbook Entry #3
Entry Title: Student Mandala Art Exhibit

Mandala’s made by your classmates have been hung on the walls

of our classroom. Walk around the room and examine each
mandala. Choose three. Draw a quick sketch of each of the
mandalas you have chosen in the box on the right. On the left,
write a few comments about why that mandala caught your eye.

Mandala Sketches and Comments: