Activity
Create a Floating Mandala
Consisting of nested geometric shapes, a mandala is a symbolic map of the universe that serves as a meditation tool for Buddhists. The meditator focuses on the mandala and then visualizes entering it, taking a mental journey to the center. The act of creating a mandala can be a meditative experience, as well. Making repeating patterns can be a calming practice that keeps the artist focused and centered.
![Detailed step of floating mandala activity.](https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2020/05/5935_20_Floating-Mandala-Images-10-1200x900.jpg)
Create a floating mandala.
Directions:
- Collect flowers, leaves, and grasses of different sizes and colors.
- Fill a large bowl or plant pot with water, stopping right before the rim.
- Begin to arrange the mandala, start by placing the largest flower in the middle.
- Use the other flowers, leaves, and grasses to create concentric circles around that central flower.
- Keep adding materials until the water’s surface is covered.
- Look closely at your resulting mandala – what new details do you discover? Try meditating with your mandala – how does focusing on its shapes, colors, and patterns make you feel?