Coloring books were once seen as a form of entertainment meant strictly for kids, but nowadays, more and more adults are recognizing the mental, emotional, and creativity benefits of incorporating these art tools in their everyday lives. One of the most popular central themes of adult coloring books are mandalas for their complexity, detail, and mature designs (not to be confused with the typical children’s coloring book) amongst other factors.
Adult mandala coloring books are particularly difficult to find, but of the numerous options available, there are a few that stand out as superior. Luckily, these books are also easily accessible on Amazon! In this article, we will list and describe the 5 best mandala coloring books on Amazon as well as detail why these tools are beneficial to any individual.
What Are Mandalas?
One reason why many adults gravitate to mandalas as the focus of their coloring books is because of the deep, profound history of this symbol and what it represents.
Mandalas have been used for centuries as a form of sacred geometry and as a way to connect with the universe.
In Hinduism and Buddhism, Mandalas are seen as representational diagrams of both the cosmos and the human mind. The symmetry and concentric circles of these patterns are meant to promote balance, harmony, and oneness. Because of this, the symbol was traditionally used to aid in meditation and one’s spiritual journey.
The word “mandala” is Sanskrit and loosely translates to mean “circle” or “center,” which explains why these symbols are almost always encapsulated within a circle and/or circular in nature (on occasion, you’ll see square mandalas). Inside, you’ll notice the repetition of various colors, patterns, and shapes that can either be depicted in absolute precision and symmetry or in a more free-flowing style.
Why Use Adult Mandala Coloring Pages?
There are many reasons why people love to color mandalas. For some, it’s a form of stress relief that allows them to focus on the present moment and let go of any worries weighing on their mind. The rhythmic, repetitive nature of coloring can also be quite therapeutic, providing a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
In addition to promoting relaxation, adult mandala coloring books can also be used as a tool for self-exploration and reflection. By taking the time to color in these intricate designs, you can tap into your creative side while also gaining a better understanding of your thoughts, feelings, and emotions.
Aside from the meditative and spiritual benefits, coloring mandalas can also help to boost problem-solving skills, increase focus and concentration, promote relaxation, and reduce stress and anxiety.
So, if you’re looking for a way to unwind and de-stress, or simply want to explore your creative side, then consider purchasing one or more of the adult mandala coloring books we’ve listed here.
Why a Coloring Book Is Better Than Printable Pages?
If you’re new to adult coloring books and aren’t sure if they’re right for you or you’re on a serious budget and, therefore, reluctant to invest in one of these books, you might be tempted to simply print a blank mandala coloring page you found for free online.
While this is a viable option, we highly recommend using a coloring book over printable pages. The primary reason for this is that the coloring books are going to be made with higher-quality ink and paper that will help ensure your artistic creations don’t bleed or smudge.
These books are also much more portable than carrying around printed pages and will keep your artwork better protected on-the-go.
Another, more psychological reason why a coloring book is more beneficial is that it can be used as a motivational tool. You can set goals with your mandala coloring book, such as completing one mandala every day for meditation or relaxation purposes. This will give you a sense of achievement when you flip through and see all the pages filled with beautiful mandalas you colored.
Some adult mandala coloring books will even include helpful tips and relevant information on the spiritual, mental, and emotional benefits of mandalas as well as the history of these symbols for those who want a supplement their coloring experience with knowledge.
The 5 Best Adult Mandala Coloring Books on Amazon
As we mentioned previously, Amazon and other retail websites and stores are filled with adult mandala coloring books, which can easily promote some choice paralysis.
Rather than flipping through book after book for the ones with the best mandalas and/or price tags, we’ve decided to do all the hard work for you and list our top five recommendations.
The five best adult mandala coloring books we recommend that can be easily purchased on Amazon include:
- Crazy Fucking Mandalas: Adult Coloring Book
- 100 Mindful Mandalas Coloring Book
- 125 Mandals: Adult Coloring Book
- Mandalas to Color: Adult Coloring Book
- Relaxing Patterns: 50 Zen Mandalas
Below, we have provided a brief description of what each of these adult mandala coloring books have to offer and how to determine which is the best fit for you and your spiritual, mental/emotional, and/or creative needs.
Crazy Fucking Mandalas: Adult Coloring Book
Those of you who are on a budget and/or would prefer to spend a minimal amount of your spare cash on an adult mandala coloring book will appreciate the value that Crazy Fucking Mandalas offers.
For a bargain price of $5.99, this book comes with 100 stunning mandalas that are by no means short on detail and design diversity.
It is currently only available in paperback (one of the reasons why it’s so cheap) so if you’re looking for a high quality adult mandala coloring book, this might not be the choice for you, but if you’re intrigued by the concept and want to see if it resonates with you, this is a great way to test it out without putting too much money on the line.
100 Mindful Mandalas Coloring Book
Another exceptional, budget-friendly option is the 100 Mindful Mandalas Coloring Book. You’ll receive the same number of mandalas as the previous book, also in a paperback book for $8.99. What makes this one different is the mandala designs.
The mandalas found in Crazy Fucking Mandalas are quite large and detailed, whereas the mandalas in this book have a bit more range from highly detailed to more simplistic designs. This is ideal for individuals who either don’t have the time or patience to spend hours on one complex mandala.
The designs are predominantly floral, scroll, or geometric in nature and are placed on single sided pages to prevent potential smudging.
125 Mandals: Adult Coloring Book
If 100 mandalas just isn’t enough for you, considering upgrading with 125 Mandalas. This is one of the most popular and highly reviewed adult mandala coloring books you’ll find on Amazon.
One reason is that it has some of the most diverse and intricate designs found in any book of its kind. Themes include:
- Stained glass
- Ethnic
- Classic
- Gemstone
- Greek
These mandalas are printed on specialized paper that is capable of handling a variety of art mediums, from colored pencils to markers to watercolors, and more. You can also choose to purchase it in hardcover or paperback depending on your budget and preferences.
Mandalas to Color: Adult Coloring Book
Mandalas to Color is a strong competitor to 125 Mandalas, yielding the highest number of reviews and ratings on Amazon in this category.
Probably the most unique feature of this mandala coloring book is that it is spiral-bound, which is great for anyone who prefers the artsy aesthetic of sketchbooks, which tend to also have spiral binding. Other significant features to note include a hardback cover to protect artwork within, high-quality paper guaranteed to last for years, and perforated pages for easy removal.
If there’s a downside to this option, it’s that the book only contains 50 mandalas, but if you’re the type of person who’s overwhelmed by the ideal of coloring 100+ mandalas, then this might be preferable for you.
Relaxing Patterns: 50 Zen Mandalas
This is another smaller adult mandala coloring book that only features 50 mandalas. As you can tell by the title, the Relaxing Patterns: 50 Zen Mandalas focuses on providing unique and hand-drawn Zen mandala patterns specifically for the purpose of mindfulness, relaxation, and stress and anxiety relief.
An aspect of this book that we personally appreciate is that it opens with an introduction explaining the scientific benefits of art therapy, such as:
- Stabilizing blood pressure
- Increasing creativity and self-awareness
- Reducing anxiety and relaxing muscles
- Enhancing self-confidence
It then goes on to discuss how you can tailor your mandala to your specific mood by using different colors and shades associated with specific meanings (ex. red for strength, high energy, love).
Overall, this is a great option for anyone who wants to obtain a deeper meaning about mandalas while using them to achieve their goals.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a way to relax and de-stress, then you should consider picking up an adult mandala coloring book. These are budget-friendly tools you can use as a form of art therapy to help you find a better mental space, connect spiritually, or even pull yourself out of that artist’s slump. Give one of our recommendations a shot and see how it works for you!
