What is a Mandala?

• Mar 25, 2008 by Judi

I first heard about mandalas from our home school group several years ago. Unfortunately, our family missed the mandala project as it was held the year before we joined. I never did look into it, but always remembered generically what they were.

Recently, I borrowed the movie The Last Mimzy which as a side note, I thought was a cute movie - I enjoyed the kids and I really like Rainn Wilson among other cast members - the kids are adorable too!

Anyway, in the movie the boy draws perfectly an ancient mandala. See the movie or read the link above for details. My point is it reminded me I’d like to find some to print. In the process, I wanted to find out just What is a Mandala?

A mandala is loosely translated from an ancient indian language meaning “circle”. However, in modern day, mandala has come to mean a term for a geometric pattern, not necessarily circular… it represents a microcosm of the Universe from our perspectives as humans.

Though, I believe it can represent a deeper awareness into our own selves.

In my search for a few mandalas to print and color, I came across a few sites with some lovely designs.. some simple, some more intricate.

Being what I consider an earthy mom (Teigen’s birth and Ryland’s birth, not to mention my parenting style), I found one mandala I just love. I think pregnant women would find peace and comfort coloring this particular mandala:
Marie Pré represents a fetus in utero. I love the lotus flower around the tiny infant.

There are many places to print mandalas, but here are a couple more I found of particular interest. If you find others, or create and/or color any and would like to share, please leave a comment.

Sharing much info, a gallery, coloring pages as well as color meanings:
In Search of Mandalas (a translated page)
Free Mandala

And lots of fun info to be had at the Mandala Project - including a mandala made in the sand, mandalas found in nature and a mandala quilt. As well as joining a group to create mandalas.