Mandalas are sacred to a number of eastern religions, and their history is long and varied. Essentially, though, a mandala is a tool used by spiritual practitioners to establish a sacred space, to find inner focus and to aid in meditation.

Loosely translated from Sanskrit, the word mandala means “circle.” It represents wholeness, a connection between each of us and the cosmic infinite. Some of these mandalas are harder than others, and so require a bit more concentration, which can be more or less meditative, depending on how long you’ve been crocheting. The first one is the easiest, and the last is the hardest. Whichever you choose, the act of making these mandalas can bring you deep into meditation, and the best part is, anytime you see them or use them, you can remember and go back to that peaceful state.