RADIAL SYMMETRY DESIGN
MANDALAS & SYMMETRICAL DESIGNS
What is radial
symmetry?
• Radial symmetry is when a
design is arranged around a
central point.
• Radial symmetry is also
referred to as radial balance.
• A radial design doesn’t
always have to be perfectly
symmetrical, but through
balance it feels symmetrical.
Mandalas
• A mandala is a geometric design with
symbols around a central point.
• Mandalas often represent deeper
meaning in symbols and designs used.
• Mandala is a Sanskrit word that translates
to circle or enter.
• Mandala art: Tibetan mandala painted in
the Sera Monastery,
https://www.worldhistory.org/image/141
8/tibetan-mandala-sera-monastery/
Mandalas
• Mandala designs can be found across many different
cultures, but the are most seen in Hinduism and Buddhism.
• Examples of mandalas in different cultures:
• Celtic spirals and knot work
• Christianity – rose windows, rosary, halos
• Chinese Yin and Yang symbol
• Hindu Yantras
• Labyrinths
• Native American – medicine wheel, dream catchers,
Native American shields
• Navajo Sand Paintings
• Tibetan Sand Mandalas
• From: https://100mandalas.com/what-is-a-mandala/
Mandala
• Mandalas have symmetrical designs
that focus around a center point.
• They are often round but can also be
square.
• A mandala’s main use in all cultures is
reflection. The design moves from the
outside in, just like in self-reflection or
meditation, starting with the outside
world and moving inward to self-
reflection, a sense of peace.
Your
project...
• You will create your own mandala
inspired radial design.
• You will add meaning to your
mandala design by using your
initial in your design (pick your
first, middle, or last name initial).
• You will create a symmetrical
design in the four quadrants of
your paper and add color.
Step
One:
• Write your name on
the back.
• Fold square paper in
half to create a
rectangle.
• Fold rectangle in half
to create a square.
• Open paper and turn
so that it looks like a
diamond.
Step
Two:
• In the top square
section draw one of
your initials using a
light pencil line.
Make sure the letter
is large enough to
fill the space.
Step
Three:
• Using pencil, outline the
letter on both sides to
make a fat letter.
• Use a dark thin tipped
marker or Sharpie to draw
over outline of letter.
Letter can extend to
edges of paper or folded
lines. Don’t draw letter
beyond folded lines.
• Erase the light pencil line
inside the letter.
Step
Four:
• Refold paper to
make a rectangle
with drawn area on
top.
• Flip rectangle paper
over and use same
marker to trace over
design seen through
the paper.
Step
Five:
• Open paper and
refold into rectangle
so that all drawings
are on top.
• Flip the rectangle
paper over and use
the same marker to
trace over the
design seen through
the paper.
Step Six:
• Working only in the area
surrounding the letter
(stop at folded lines) use
the same marker to add
additional outlines to fill
remaining space in the
square.
• Spaces between lines can
be wide, narrow or change
from wide to narrow.
• Make sure lines don’t stop
until reaching folded lines
or edges of paper.
Step
Seven:
• Repeat the tracing
steps to trace the
design in the other
three quadrants.
Step
Eight:
• Open you design
and check that you
traced all sections,
your design is
symmetrical, and
radiates from the
center.
Today:
• Create your design using a letter
from your initials.
• Create a repeating design in all
four quadrants by drawing the
design in one quadrant and
folding your paper to trace it into
the other three.
THE END
