Most mandalas have colorful, detailed geometric patterns or designs. Mandalas are a type of religious and spiritual art with a deep significance for many people. As a symbol of the cosmos or universe, a traditional mandala is a square containing a circle, and the entire design is symmetrical and balanced.

Do mandalas have to be round?

A mandala is a sacred, often circular, design. The word mandala derives from a sanscrit word meaning circle. While mandalas are most often rounded or circular (i.e., more symmetrical), this is not necessarily the case (see the examples on the next page).

Can a mandala be any shape?

You can start from the center, or you can start from anywhere where you feel inspired to make some marks. Using the lines and circles you drew as guidelines, you can draw shapes like circles, triangles, raindrops, loops, etc.