Flower of Life Mandala

Overlapping circles form the classic flower of life: six almond-shaped petals around the center, a second ring of petals, and six large outer lobes edged with lotus petals and bands of tiny flowers and beads. The petals are filled with small flowers, leaves and stippled dots. About 460 areas, for adults and colorists from 10.

Level

Detailed

Areas to color

460

Ages

Ages 10+ & adults

Time to color (estimate)

1–2 hours

Paper

A4 or US Letter, standard printer paper

Print a spare copy first and test two or three palettes on it. To bring out the geometry, color the six central almonds in one shade and the next ring of almonds in a second, then let the outer lobes go lighter. Pale colors let the stippled dots show through.

Color from the center outward so your hand doesn't smudge finished areas.

Choose a palette before starting: analogous colors (blue, teal, green) feel calm; complementary ones (blue and orange) feel lively.