CHARACTER MANDALA

“A M AT T E R O F B A L A N C E ” : U S I N G C O L O R S Y M B O L I S M
T O C R E AT E A V I S UA L R E P R E S E N TAT I O N O F H A R O L D

Having read “A Matter of Balance,” consider what characteristics Harold

displays and what happens to him. Look at the color symbolism chart (see
below) and circle any of the characteristics that fit Harold. Think about
which one characteristic is most important, but also, since characters are
complex, make sure that you have chosen characteristics from at least three
different colors.

Decide which of the characteristics you have identified are most important
in Harold, and, keeping that in mind, begin to fill in your mandala with the
colors that symbolize those characteristics. If the predominant
characteristic of a character is confidence, for example, you may want to
use more blue in the mandala or use blue mainly at the center of the
graphic.

Color Symbolism
Writers often use colors symbolically. If you study the list below, you will
see that the same color can symbolize both positives and negatives.
Excitement, energy, passion, speed, strength, power, heat, love,
RED
aggression, danger, fire, blood, war, violence
Joy, happiness, optimism, idealism, imagination, hope, sunshine,
YELLOW gold, philosophy, dishonesty, cowardice, betrayal, jealousy,
deceit, illness, hazard
Peace, tranquility, calm, stability, harmony, unity, trust,
BLUE confidence, security, cleanliness, order, loyalty, cold, technology,
depression
Energy, balance, warmth, enthusiasm, vibrancy, expansiveness,
ORANGE
flamboyance, demands for attention
Nature, environment, health, good luck, renewal, youth, vigour,
GREEN
spring, generosity, jealousy, inexperience, envy
Royalty, spirituality, nobility, ceremony, mystery,
PURPLE transformation, wisdom, enlightenment, cruelty, arrogance,
mourning
 Security, reliability, intelligence, modesty, dignity, maturity,
GRAY
solidity, practicality, old age, sadness, boredom
Earth, hearth, home, outdoors, reliability, comfort, endurance,
BROWN
stability, simplicity
Reverence, purity, simplicity, cleanliness, peace, humility,
WHITE precision, innocence, youth, birth, winter, snow, good, marriage,
cold
power, sophistication, formality, elegance, wealth, mystery, fear,
BLACK evil, anonymity, unhappiness, depth, style, sadness, remorse,
anger, underground, mourning, death

HAROLD
CHARACTER MANDALA