Character Mandala

“Mandala” is a Sanskrit word meaning center and circle. A mandala shows that the center of any circle is tied to its circumference and the circumference is determined by the center. As such, the mandala represents wholeness. Therefore, your character mandala should represent the whole character, not just one aspect.

You are to create a Character Mandala for any character from The Odyssey.

1.Choose a character fromThe Odyssey and consider what characteristics he/she displays and what happens to him/her. Then, look at the Color Symbolism chart. Circle any of the characteristics that fit the character you have chosen. Make sure you have chosen characteristics from at least three different colors. Use the resources on my webpage-Agenda.

2.Then draw a big circle in a landscape page. Next write the character’s name under the graphic.Decide which of the characteristics that you have chosen is most important in this character. Keeping that in mind, begin to fill in the mandala form with the colors that symbolize the characteristics you chose.Draw lines and figures that represent that character. If the predominant characteristic of a character was confidence, then you may want to use more blue in your mandala or use blue mainly at the center of the graphic.

3. Once your mandala has been completed, write a paragraph about your character.

a.Introduce the character whom you represented in the graphic

b.Explain what each color represents on your mandala and the significance of its placement.

c. Use textual evidence with a quote to support your image and explanation.

For example: Green is for renewal because Mrs. Mallard believed she was beginning a new life. This belief was the impetus for “her attitude change”(page 112) and thus is more dominant than the other colors.(abstract)

d. Conclude your paragraph

Your completed activity (both mandala and paragraph of explanation) will be judged by the following criteria:

a.the characteristics chosen are appropriate for the character

b.the pattern of colors on the graphic is pleasing to the eye

c.paragraph organization

d.sentence fluency

e.word choice

f.grammar and spelling conventions

Color Symbolism

Colors are often used symbolically by writers. If you study the list below, you will see that the same color can symbolize both positives and negatives.

Red / Excitement, energy, passion, speed, strength, power, heat, love, aggression, danger, fire, blood, war, violence
Yellow / Joy, happiness, optimism, idealism, imagination, hope, sunshine, gold, philosophy, dishonesty, cowardice, betrayal, jealousy, covetousness, deceit, illness, hazard
Blue / Peace, tranquility, calm, stability, harmony, unity, trust, truth, confidence,conservatism, security, cleanliness, order, loyalty, cold, technology, depression
Orange / Energy, balance, warmth, enthusiasm, vibrancy, expansive, flamboyant, demanding of attention
Green / Nature, environment, healthy, good luck, renewal, youth, vigor, spring, generosity, jealousy, inexperience, envy
Purple / Royalty, spirituality, nobility, ceremony, mysterious, transformation, wisdom, enlightenment, cruelty, arrogance, mourning
Gray / Security, reliability, intelligence, modesty, dignity, maturity, solid, conservative, practical, old age, sadness, boring
Brown / Earth, hearth, home, outdoors, reliability, comfort, endurance, stability, simplicity
White / Reverence, purity, simplicity, cleanliness, peace, humility, precision, innocence, youth, birth, winter, snow, good, marriage (Western cultures), death (Eastern cultures), cold
Black / Power, sophistication, formality, elegance, wealth, mystery, fear, evil, anonymity, unhappiness, depth, style, evil, sadness, remorse, anger, underground, mourning, death (Western cultures)

If you need help, use the following sites for inspiration: