Mandalas

Mandalas

A mandala is a geometric design, often used as a sacred representation of the universe. The word itself means “circle” in ancient Sanskrit (the ancient language of India). Mandalas have been present in many cultures throughout history, including ancient Aztec, Tibetan, Hindu, Islamic and Christian. || The Rose Window is a stained glass mandala design seen in cathedrals since the Middle Ages. The images and symbolism serve to educate and inspire. || || The "Wheel of Life" is an image from an illuinated manuscript by St. Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179). || || **Modern Tibet:** as part of a meditative practice, Tibetan Monks create a large sand mandala, grain by grain, over a period of several days. To represent the impermanence of life, the completed mandala is destroyed by wind or water.
 * Navajo Sand Painting
 * Navajo Sand Painting
 * This Jewish Calendar is a mosaic pavement of a 6th century synagogue at Beit Alpha, Israel.
 * **Ancient Tibet: Cakrasamvara Mandala**

Click on the youtube link below to view this process!

media type="youtube" key="g-H0TlXi868?fs=1" height="307" width="384" || Design and create your own mandala, taking inspiration from the multicultural examples that we learned about in class. You might choose to focus on the tradition, materials, style, or symbolism of a particular culture. Use the links at the bottom of this page to explore further. Below, you will see a few student examples! ||
 * Your Assignment:
 * Your Assignment:

Stephanie || Brenda || April || Tasha || Chloe || Merissa || Stefany ||
 * ||  || [[image:mandalasteph.jpg width="270" height="276"]]
 * [[image:manbrenda.jpg width="260" height="260"]]
 * [[image:Mandalchloe.jpg width="265" height="267"]]

No, you can not do a digital mandala for your project, but you can use it for your own creative purposes, and to get ideas! || The Mandala Project Homepage People are invited to participate in this project to create a global art piece. Participants create their own mandala to be displayed in a cyber gallery. ||
 * Links: (if you find a great site on your own, let me know and I'll add it!) ||
 * Make your own Digital Mandala Online
 * Geomerty of the Rose Window at Chartes Cathedral || Sacred Geometry and Art ||
 * Mandalas Across Cultures ||  ||