Originating in India, mandalas are circular and repetitive
patterns, starting with a simple central dot and expanding outwards. The mandala as a whole represents the universe and all of the physical
aspects around the center, with both life
and spirit held in a balance. The
central dot represents seed, or the
beginning of all life and growth.
Mandalas are mesmerizing and complex, but also feel very centered and
complete. Many people view mandalas as a
representation of centeredness and stability, as well as prayer and connection
to something bigger than oneself. Mandalas
are common on the palms of the hands and are very popular for brides wanting a
simpler inner hand design, but they can be placed anywhere on the body.
Working on
drawing your own mandalas? Start in the
middle with a dot. Don’t be afraid to
keep the layers simple and repetitive at first, as the mandala expands it will
only become more beautiful. Add floral
elements and petal type shapes, or choose to keep it geometric, utilize
negative space… mandalas can be very diverse!
Snap a picture of your finished mandala drawings or henna designs and
share it with us!
Need some fresh ideas? Try our Mandalas and Motifs e-book!