The Flower of Life

The Flower of Life is a flower-like pattern with sixfold symmetry. It looks complicated, but it's really not.

It's made by doing one simple thing again and again: placing the compass point on a crossing point, then drawing another circle with the same width. That's it.

You begin with the Seed of Life. Then you keep growing the pattern outward. Easy!

The Seed of Life

Begin with a neat Seed of Life pattern.

You should have one circle in the centre and six circles around it, all drawn with the same compass width.

Add the Outer Circles

Look for the crossing points around the outside of the Seed of Life.

Place the compass point on one of those crossing points and draw a new circle.

Repeat this all the way around the outside of the pattern.

Fill the Gaps

Now use the next set of outside crossing points.

Place the compass point carefully on each marked point and draw another circle using the same compass width.

Go slowly here. The Flower of Life works best when each new circle lands exactly where the others meet.

Complete the Outer Petals

Use the remaining outside points to complete the edge of the pattern.

Look closely. You need arcs here only, not full circles.

Draw the Boundary Circle

Place your compass point in the very centre, then open it up so the pencil reaches the very top of the flower.

Draw one large circle around the whole pattern.

This gives the Flower of Life a clear edge.

Take It In

Lighten or erase any guide marks you no longer need.

Pause for a moment and look at the finished construction.

If your Flower of Life looks uneven, check three things.

Did your compass width stay the same? Did the compass point sit exactly on the crossing points? Did the paper move while you were drawing?

Small slips can spread through the whole pattern, which is annoying but also useful. It shows you exactly where to improve.

Once the construction is complete, you can leave it as a calm line drawing or turn it into artwork.

You can make it bright, quiet, leafy, starry, golden, watery, or completely strange. It's up to you!