Let’s first answer the question “What is a mandala?” in general terms, and then dive into the technical aspects. Generally, a mandala consists of artistic lines that feature unique, repeating motifs, symmetries, and cycles, extending from the center outward. With a rich history, the mandala has found its place in modern times, often used in home décor and tattoo designs. The increasing number of mandala coloring books for both children and adults has boosted its popularity even further, especially over the past decade.

The word mandala comes from Sanskrit, a combination of “Manda,” meaning essence or energy, and “La,” meaning circle or container. It can be simply described as a container of energy. Often translated as “Circle,” the word also reflects the idea of a cycle. In this special sense, the mandala is a form of art that embraces the cycles of life and accepts their infinity. While mandalas had spiritual and religious meanings in some ancient cultures and religions, today, they are more commonly seen as meditative and artistic drawings.

Scientific studies have now shown that creating mandalas has several benefits. Especially in emotional struggles like stress, anxiety, and focus issues, drawing or coloring mandalas can calm the mind and provide relaxation. For this reason, they are often recommended in psychotherapy.

How to Draw a Mandala?

Now that we’ve answered the question “What is a mandala?” let’s move on to an even more important question: How do you draw a mandala? While there are some basic rules, the final result is entirely up to your imagination and creativity. The size, colors, and patterns of the mandala are yours to decide, and you only need a few materials to get started.

The first step in drawing a mandala is deciding how large your design will be. Once you’ve chosen the size, start by marking the center on a piece of paper or cardboard. It’s important that the center is exactly in the middle, as it will help you later in the drawing process. Using a ruler to mark this point can be helpful. Then, draw concentric circles around this center point with a soft pencil, making sure not to press too hard. Continue drawing circles until you reach your desired size.

Once you’ve completed the circles, you’ll need to add lines that divide the circles symmetrically. Like cutting a pizza into eight equal slices, you should divide the mandala into equal sections, again with a light touch. These lines serve as guidelines and will be erased when the mandala is finished, so use a soft pencil and avoid pressing too hard.

From here, you can unleash your creativity, either using existing mandala designs for inspiration or creating your own. You can choose any patterns or shapes you like—this part is entirely up to your vision and imagination. If you prefer, you can even draw freely without measuring. It’s all up to you.

What Can You Do with Mandalas?

Mandalas offer endless creative possibilities. You can set an intention and create a mandala dedicated to that goal, use mandalas for relaxation and stress relief, or personalize your home by using them as art. You can gift your mandala artwork to loved ones, decorate various surfaces and objects with mandala patterns, and even paint mandala designs on walls. Mandalas give you a wide range of ways to express your creativity freely.

Join a Mandala Workshop: Learn What Mandala is & How to Draw Mandala

Would you like to learn how to draw your own mandalas from scratch? In my opinion, you don’t need any formal training to draw mandalas. As long as you have the intention, you can create mandalas with repeating symmetrical patterns however you like. However, if you want to draw mandalas with perfect symmetry, learning a few techniques and using some tools can make it easier.

You can join one of my online or in-person mandala workshops. These enjoyable sessions not only introduce you to the concept of mandalas but also offer an opportunity to embark on a personal journey as you draw your own mandalas. These workshops are a wonderful way to relax your mind and escape from stress. You can participate individually or with friends.

Even if there’s no active workshop at the moment, you can request one by sending a message to my Instagram account @melkedi or emailing me. I organize workshops both online and in person, whether it’s for individuals or corporate groups. For online workshops, we use materials that are easy to find, and I provide detailed instructions on what you’ll need before the session. In in-person workshops, all the necessary tools and supplies are provided by me. All you need to bring is yourself and your desire to create mandalas 🙂

Additionally, everyone who participates in my workshops receives 70 ready-to-color mandala sheets and design practice sheets as a gift. If you’d like to learn more about what you can do after learning how to draw mandalas, check out this article: Discover the Art of Mandalas with a Mandala Workshop.

Color Mandalas with Ready-to-Print Mandala Sheets

If you enjoy coloring mandalas, you can create your own masterpieces with 70 different mandala designs available in my Etsy shop. These include easy, medium, and difficult mandala designs, as well as blank designs for pattern practice. Along with the mandalas, you’ll also receive free design practice sheets. Once purchased, the files are instantly sent to you. All you have to do is print them out and start coloring! You can color them for yourself or give them as gifts. To purchase: 70 Ready-to-Color Mandala Designs.

I offer these mandala sheets for a small fee to maintain a balance of giving and receiving. However, if you’re unable to afford them at the moment, feel free to contact me via email, and I’ll be happy to send you the coloring pages for free.

For free mandala coloring pages for kids, check out this link: Mandala Coloring Pages for Kids

Now that you know what is mandala, you understand that mandala art is a unique experience that invites both spiritual and aesthetic exploration. Whether you’re coloring mandalas to relax your mind or drawing your own patterns to unleash your creativity, mandalas are a powerful tool that symbolize life’s cycles and infinity. Through my workshops, you can step into this journey, participate in individual or group sessions, and bring the peaceful world of mandalas into your home with ready-to-color mandala sheets. Are you ready to embark on a journey full of mandalas?

Along with my @melkedi account, where I share my mandala drawings, you can also follow my other page, @melkeontheroad, where I share my travel experiences, books I read, and my thoughts on life. Click on the image below to check it out.