1. Mandalas

2. Mandala Sanskrit word for circle or whole world. It is derived from manda which means “essence” and the suffix la meaning “container.” Buddhist and Hindu monks who study this art form attempt to create a “container of essence.”

3. What is a Mandala? Originated in Tibet 2000 years ago Intricately illustrated Used for meditation Show individual or cultural uniqueness

4. A mandala can be described as any form of circular geometric design that contains symbols of a person’s inner self, guiding principles, and overall ideas about the world.

5. The significance of objects within a mandala are conveyed by shape, size, and color; they can be abstract designs or specific images of people, places, and ideas that are central to a person’s life.

6. Tibetan Sand Paintings Tibetan sand painting called dul-tson-kyil-khor, which literally means "mandala of colored powders." Millions of grains of sand are painstakingly laid into place on a flat platform over a period of days or weeks. Formed of a traditional geometric shapes and ancient spiritual symbols, the sand-painted is used for re-consecrating the earth and its inhabitants.

7. Aztecs of Mexico Created magnificent stone mandalas for their calendar The center was a mask of the sun god Surrounding mask were symbols depicting earthquake that would end the world Around that was a band with signs for the days of the Aztec year

8. Cathedrals of Europe Middle Ages architecture changed the low, heavy, round- arched windows to tall, light, pointed arch windows Gothic style provided Rose windows dramatically altering the look and feel of cathedrals

9. Navajo Indians Performed healing rituals using multicolored sands to create circular patterns Sand paintings are sacred and are destroyed after being used

10. Why a circle? Universal shape: eye, sun, snowflake, moon, circle of friends, the atom, cells, nucleus Many cultures believe it is a representation of the universe and everything in it. It has no beginning or end.

11. Examples abound in nature Every cell in our body The iris of our eye A snow crystal A bird's nest A bicycle wheel Planet Earth Our solar system around the sun

12. You are going to create your own symbolic picture representing aspects of your life -- your own mandala

13. Symmetrical pattern Use of colors and symbols only (no words) Put your most important symbol in the middle Be able to explain meaning of symbols and colors used Your Mandala

14. Now it’s your turn. Go to the SIGNET 6 webpage and get further directions. Look under the file marked Fabric of your Life.