Visual Arts and Math in Grade 7: Mandala

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You will design a mandala that includes specific geometric properties. Then you will identify those properties in your design and share using digital media. 

What is a Mandala?

A mandala is a wondrous and meaningful design made in the form of a circle. The word mandala is from the classical Indian language of Sanskrit and, loosely translated, means “circle.” These special drawings were first created in Tibet over 2,000 years ago. Traditionally, they displayed highly intricate illustrations of religious significance and were used for meditation. Since then, they have been made by people from various cultures. A simple definition of the mandala is that it is a circular drawing made to represent the harmony and wholeness of life or the wholeness of a person. The shape of a mandala is a circle because a circle is the most simple and universal shape found in the world. It is the form of the eye, the sun, a snowflake. Also, since there is always a center to a circle, as you look at a mandala it exercises your mind and draws you into the center of yourself or your topic.

Visual Arts and Math: Curriculum Connections

Visual Arts        

Elements of Design

  • Line
  • Shape and Form
  • Colour

Principles of Design

  • Unity and Harmony
  • Movement

Math

  • construct related lines (i.e., parallel; perpendicular; intersecting at 30º, 45º, and 60º)
  • construct angle bisectors and perpendicular bisectors
  • identify, perform, and describe dilatations (i.e., enlargements and reductions)
  • create and analyse designs involving translations, reflections, dilatations, and/or simple rotations of two-dimensional shapes

Your mandala will be done with these materials:

  • 11 x 17 paper
  • pencil
  • ruler
  • compass
  • protractor

It is strongly recommended that you sketch out your design before you begin. This will allow you to address any problems you could encounter on your final copy. Be sure that your design includes all of the criteria listed below:

  • At least one example of a dilatation
  • At least one example of a reflection
  • At least one example of a rotation
  • At least one example of a translation
  • At least one set of parallel lines
  • At least one set of perpendicular lines
  • At least one example each of lines that intersect at 30º, 45º, and 60º
  • At least one example of a line that bisects an angle
  • Perpendicular bisectors (diameter)
  • An example of congruence

When you share your project digitally, you will be required to point out each item on the list of criteria and prove that it has been met. For example, how can you prove that you have constructed a set of lines that are perpendicular to each other? What characteristics do the angles have? An example of a completed assignment has been shared with you.