Mandalas

Emily's Mandala

My mandala is based on my ambitions, hobbies, dreams, past, and future. The first block holds both the NHL and the Olympic logos. Sport are very important to me, and help shape who I am. They have helped me realize how passionate I can truly be. This may seem silly but this brings me to another block. On the left there is a block with a hospital H and the symbol for healthcare. In March of 2012 I was admitted into the hospital for severe depression and anxiety. I could not feel emotions anymore. I had been feeling low for years, but it progressively had gotten worse. Eventually I spent my time and I still continue to work every day. Going back to the sports for a moment, it was important that I finally found passion and emotion for something. Sports helped bring me back to who I am now.
There is a colourful box filled with symbol's from the Mylo Xyloto album by Coldplay. Coldplay is one of my favourite bands, and has gotten me through thick and thin times. The bright colours represent the life their music has given me when I did not feel very alive or well.

Next to that box is a drawing of an apple, a chalkboard and math equations. I have wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. It has always been my ambition, or what I have believed to be my “Personal Legend”.

Accompanying these blocks is a block with two houses connected by a road with two ways to go. Throughout my life I have always taken the alternative route. This road is to remind me that you can still get from point A to point B by taking a different path. Sometimes taking the road less travelled by is the right choice for you.

The most important part of my mandala is the heart in the middle. On the Chinese symbol for “father” is written. My father is my everything. He has taught me everything I have every known, and has raised me into who I am today. Without him nothing would be possible. It is in the middle because it is the glue that holds me together.

Santiago's Mandala

On Santiago's mandala there are six blocks. The one in the middle represents the most significant aspect of Santiago's journey. Going clockwise, the first item is the Pyramids. This is what Santiago believes he is on on his journey to find, for his treasure will be with the Pyramids. The Pyramids also represent the sand and desert Santiago had to trek through. The next item is a crystal ball. This represents two things; the dream interpreter, and the Crystal Merchant. The dream interpreter is significant because she is what propels Santiago on his journey. The Crystal Merchant is important because he provides Santiago with a job which aids with his journey. The next block hold the sheep. The sheep help Santiago realize that not everyone will fulfill their Personal Legend, as some live blindly. Next comes a heart with Fatima's name written in it. This is to represent Santiago's love for Fatima, as she is an important factor in his life and helps to lead to the completion of his Personal Legend. The last of the outer blocks is a visual representation of the precious stones, Urim and Thummim. The last, and most important block is the block in the centre of the mandala. I do not have the artistic skills to draw a sacristy or a church, so I drew a cross instead. The giant sycamore tree where the sacristy was both the question and answer to Santiago's Personal Legend.