Moroccan Tile Mandala

Inspired by Moroccan zellige tilework, this mandala grows from an eight-pointed star through interlaced strapwork, diamonds and arabesque flourishes to two layers of onion-dome petals with pointed tips. The design is slightly taller than wide. Its shapes are clean and roomy, but with about 280 areas it's a detailed page, for ages 10 and adults.

Level

Detailed

Areas to color

279

Ages

Ages 10+ & adults

Time to color (estimate)

1–2 hours

Paper

A4 or US Letter, standard printer paper

Use a traditional zellige palette: cobalt blue, turquoise, terracotta and saffron, with white where you want the eye to rest. Color the interlaced strap bands as one continuous ribbon, in cream or with a gold paint marker, so the star pattern reads across the whole design.

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.