Native American Mandala

[CafemomPat]

 

Native American Mandala

Supplies:

• 4” - 5” Metal Ring
• 130” strand Brown or Tan Yarn
• Butcher Paper
• Markers, Crayons, Colored Pencils..etc.
• 9 Pony Beads
• Feathers

Instructions:

1. Wrap the entire ring tightly with the yarn.
2. Cut the butcher paper so that it can be placed inside of the ring without touching the sides. Crumple the butcher paper so that it softens. Add hole punches around the edge of the butcher paper. Decorate the paper with coloring tools.
3. Lace the paper to the ring so that it β€œfloats” in the middle of the ring.
4. Tie three strings of yarn at the bottom of the mandala. Add pony beads and feathers to the ends.
5. Tie a loop of yarn to the top of the mandala.

Legend of the Plains Indian Mandala & Shield
Mandalas
They are sacred symbols of the Universe. In many tribes, they are variations of dance shields used by the Plains Nations. They are adorned with designs and fetishes that have special meaning to the owner and are meant to bring them happiness and prosperity. Some use the mandala for meditation and prayer.

Shields
Among the Plains nation, a war shield was made of buffalo hide from around the neck because it was thicker. The Warrior's shield was his "medicine." It protected him from harm and gave him special sacred powers. The painting on the shield and the sacred objects tied to it, all had special meaning to the owner and those sacred qualities were in turn given to the owner of the shield.