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Yamantaka Mandala



Mandala Teacher's Guide

Glossary of Art Terms

Asymmetrical--Arranged in such a way that division into mirror-image halves is not possible.

Balance--Stability and equilibrium achieved through the placement of elements such as form, line, and color.

Complementary colors--Color pairs that exhibit maximum contrast. They are opposite each other on the color wheel (red and green) and when placed side by side appear intensified. Also called contrasting colors.

Composition--The organization and structure of a work of art, determined by the arrangement of shapes, forms, colors, etc.

Geometric--Having an outline composed of straight lines or simple curves, as a square, triangle, or circle.

Organic--Having curving or irregular contours like those of forms found in nature.

Pattern--An artistic or decorative design, often involving regular repetition of shapes or colors.

Primary colors--Red, yellow, and blue. The fundamental colors from which all other colors are made.

Secondary colors--Orange, violet, and green. Made by mixing equal amounts of two primary colors.

Stupa--A bell-shaped Buddhist monument made of piled earth or stone and containing sacred relics.

Symbol--A form or image that stands for something else-another object or an idea.

Symmetrical--Identically arranged on either side of a central axis, permitting division into mirror-image halves.

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