My mandala centers on the theme of justice and peace. Two of the more well-known symbols in my mandala are the gavel, which is attributed with judges, the enforcers of justice, and the sword and scales, which the Lady Justice carries in her hands. The object beside the scales is a crown adorned with the Lunar Orb -- the crown worn by the Greek goddess Isis, goddess of purity and righteousness. The scales and crown are both gold because gold represents power and high status, which symbolizes the importance of justice. The crown also reveals that cultures other than our own also consider justice to be a pivotal issue. This point is further emphasized in my mandala by the Tibetan dZi beads that lie along the edge of the mandala, which are said to bring good luck and to enforce justice, and by the three blue symbols toward the inside of the mandala -- the Egyptian Ankh, the Norse Tyr, and the Roman Fasces -- all of which are symbols of justice. At the very center of the mandala lies the African Bi Nka Bi symbol, supposedly portraying two fish biting each other, which is a warning to abide by justice, fair play, and forgiveness.

This Mandala was created to represent life, passion, and the circular and cyclical qualities of life. The central symbol, the rose, stands for life, love, and passion. It is also created to appear to be just beginning to bloom. Its red color is also symbolic of love and passion, two major aspects of life. Stemming from behind the rose are flames, another symbol of life ans passion. Also coming from the flower and the flames are trees, more specifically the tree of life, which has the green foliage of spring and summer. Between the trees are lotus blossoms, which stand for life in the Chinese culture, but are also a symbol of spring and new life because they are flowers, and they ae pink. The inner border of the Mandala consists of a repetition of the celtic knot that stands for life and the afterlife. Finally, the entire Mandala is encircled by an ourobouros, the snake eating its own tail, which is a symbol of the circular motions of life and life’s continuity. The use of cool colors in the background and border also set off the warmer reds, oranges, and yellows of the central symbols.