Mythology character mandala

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  A mandala is a visual display of symbols and pictures that is used in some cultures to represent a person’s view of the universe.
  
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  A mandala is traditionally organized using symmetrical patterns and symbols arranged in a circle to express a mood, feeling, idea, or belief system.
  

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  Create your own version of a mandala to represent a mythological character based on “Perseus” from Edith Hamilton’s book of myths.
  
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  Write an artist’s statement explaining how your mandala represents and reflects your chosen character.
  

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  Brainstorming/Planning the artistic portion of the mandala
  
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  Designing the mandala
  
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  Writing the artist’s statement
  

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  Create a symbol for your center that is powerful visually, as well as ideologically—in other words, choose a symbol for how it looks as well as what it means.
  
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  Your center must include one strong, distinctive symbol.
  

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  What is his/her greatest inspiration/motivation in life?
  
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  What are his/her core values or strongest held beliefs?
  
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  What conflicts has he/she faced or challenges has he/she overcome?
  
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  What triumphs or victories has he/she achieved?
  

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  Your middle ring must include at least three different symbols.
  
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  The symbols you choose may blend, overlap, or interconnect. They may show distinct differences in size, shape, and color. They may connect to and/or radiate from the center symbol, or they may be separate, individual layers or levels within the middle ring of your design.
  

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  What are this character’s most intense personality traits?
  
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  What factors or events have helped to “shape” this character?
  
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  Does this character see him/herself differently than how other see him/her?
  
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  What goals/dreams does he/she have?
  
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  What emotional highs and lows has he/she experienced in life?
  

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  You outer ring must include at least one symbol and one quotation.
  

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  What life lesson has this character learned?
  
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  What is this character’s outlook on the world?
  
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  What is his/her attitude about the future?
  

Once you have finished brainstorming and have selected your four symbols and your quotation, begin organizing your ideas into a mandala design. Your design should include the following key elements:

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  Circular in shape
  
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  Shows symmetrical pattern
  
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  Arranged according to the 3 layers described in part one
  
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  Neat, colorful, and visually expressive
  
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  Minimal “white space”-fill in circle with your design
  
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  Do several rough sketches before settling on final design.
  
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  Include character’s name and myth title somewhere on paper.
  

Include an artist’s statement of at least three quality and detailed paragraphs. This is equivalent to one paragraph per layer of the mandala.

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  Each paragraph should include an example from the book to support your main points. Examples may include quotes, passages, or a description of a plot event. Always include page numbers.
  
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  Your artist’s statement must answer the question, “How does this mandala reflect the character?”
  
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  Artist’s statement should be typed and edited for conventions.
  

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  What do the symbols, words, and artistic choices (such as color or placement of symbols) on your mandala represent?
  
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  How do the symbols connect to the character?
  
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  What does your mandala as a whole say about what kind of person the character is?