Name____________________Hour______ The Alchemist Mandala ProjectDate_____________________ English 9

Create a Mandala

Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning center and circle. It conveys the notion that any center is tied to its circumference and any circumference is always determined by its center. Together they represent wholeness.

- Monique Mandali (artist and author)

Create a character mandala based on the characteristics that character displays and the relationship those qualities have to what happens to him/her in the work.

OR

Create a personal mandala based on the characteristics, values, people, ideas, etc that have a significant impact on your identity –the things that make you who you are.

Option 1(9+): Color RepresentationUsing the mandala outline, consider how to best represent your character through color choice, placement and design. For example, if the predominant characteristic of a character was confidence, then you may want to use more blue in your mandala or use blue mainly at the center of the graphic.

Option 2: Drawing RepresentationUse the circle in a square to fill the space with drawings to represent the essential characteristics of the character/yourself. See handout example.Use the color symbolism chart to help you make decisions about the types of symbols and colors you will choose. Minimum 8 symbols

Option 3 (9+): Sun Shadow MandalaUse the circle in the square and the chart below to complete a mandala for a character/yourself that expresses the outward and inward differences in a character. One type of mandala is called the sun-shadow mandala, and it represents, in part, the contrasts between one’s sun qualities – what is visible and projected – and the shadow qualities – what is interior and inward.

Sun Image Sun image descriptive word

Shadow image Shadow image descriptive word

AnimalPlantColorNumberShapeGem or mineral

Name____________________Hour______ The Alchemist Mandala ProjectDate_____________________ English 9Element: air, earth, water, fire

Color Symbolism

Colors are often used symbolically by writers. If you study the list below, you will see that the same color can symbolize both positives and negatives.

Red excitement, energy, passion, speed, strength, power, heat, love, aggression, danger, fire, blood, war, violence

Yellow joy, happiness, optimism, idealism, imagination, hope, sunshine, gold, philosophy, dishonesty, cowardice, betrayal, jealousy, covetousness, deceit, illness, hazard

Blue peace, tranquility, calm, stability, harmony, unity, trust, truth, confidence, conservatism, security, cleanliness, order, loyalty, cold, technology, depression

Orange energy, balance, warmth, enthusiasm, vibrancy, expansive, flamboyant, demanding of attention

Green nature, environment, healthy, good luck, renewal, youth, vigor, spring, generosity, jealousy, inexperience, envy

Purple royalty, spirituality, nobility, spirituality, ceremony, mysterious, transformation, wisdom, enlightenment, cruelty, arrogance, mourning

Gray security, reliability, intelligence, modesty, dignity, maturity, solid, conservative, practical, old age, sadness, boring

Brown Earth, hearth, home, outdoors, reliability, comfort, endurance, stability, simplicity

White reverence, purity, simplicity, cleanliness, peace, humility, precision, innocence, youth, birth, winter, snow, good, marriage

Black sophistication, formality, elegance, wealth, mystery, fear, evil, anonymity, unhappiness, depth, style, evil, sadness,

Name____________________Hour______ The Alchemist Mandala ProjectDate_____________________ English 9

remorse, anger, underground, mourning, death

Name____________________Hour______ The Alchemist Mandala ProjectDate_____________________ English 9

Name____________________Hour______ The Alchemist Mandala ProjectDate_____________________ English 9