Name____________________Period______ The Alchemist Mandala ProjectDate_____________________ English 9

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)Part I: Create a MandalaCreate 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. Focus on the “wholeness” symbolized by the mandala. Balance is an important part of this idea.

Option 1: Color SymbolismUsing a mandala outline, consider how to best represent your personality/identity through color choice, placement and design. For example, if an important characteristic is confidence, then you may want to use more blue in your mandala or use blue mainly at the center of the graphic.

See back of this page for color symbolism ideas

Option 2 (not required for 9+, but definitely more challenging): Sun-Shadow MandalaAnother 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.

See separate sheet for directions and examples

Part II: Written justificationOnce the mandala is complete, please write a sentence for each of your symbols. The most important part of your sentence is the “why” part. Through your sentences you will share why you feel a certain symbol/color represents you. Please write a sentence for at least five colors/symbols.

Color Sentence Frame:I am like the color _____________, because the color ___________ symbolizes_____________(characteristic symbolized by the color) and I placed it in _________ of my mandala because______________________________.Ex. I am like the color blue, because the color blue symbolizes confidence, and I placed it in small circles around the edge of my mandala because I am sometimes confident, but there are plenty of times when I can be more so.

Sun Sentence Frame: I am like a/the (sun image), because like the (sun image), I __________________________. Ex: I am like poison oak, because like poison oak, I’m harmless until stepped on.

Shadow Sentence Frame: I am like a/the (shadow image), because like the (shadow image),_____________________.

Name____________________Period______ The Alchemist Mandala ProjectDate_____________________ English 9

Ex: I am like a Venus flytrap, because like a Venus flytrap, I want to capture everything around me and make it a part of who I am.

Due:______________________________________

Color Symbolism

Colors are often used symbolically by writers and artists. Notice the same color can symbolize both positives and negative characteristics. 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

Name____________________Period______ The Alchemist Mandala ProjectDate_____________________ English 9

Black sophistication, formality, elegance, wealth, mystery, fear, evil, anonymity, unhappiness, depth, style, evil, sadness, remorse, anger, underground, mourning, death

Name____________________Period______ The Alchemist Mandala ProjectDate_____________________ English 9

Name____________________Period______ The Alchemist Mandala ProjectDate_____________________ English 9

Name____________________Period______ The Alchemist Mandala ProjectDate_____________________ English 9