Rangoli border designs

Arches and dots

A row of orange arches with a white dot in each. The easiest border, and the one that suits almost any round rangoli.

1. Draw a straight chalk line where the border will run.
2. Along it, draw half-circles of equal width, each one starting where the last one ended. A bangle or a small bowl makes a good guide.
3. Fill the arches with orange and place one white dot in the middle of each.

Wave with dots

One flowing white line with a dot in every curve. It is drawn in a single movement, so it is fast along a long wall or a path.

1. Mark light dots in two rows, with the lower dots halfway between the upper ones.
2. Draw one continuous wavy line that goes over each upper mark and under each lower mark.
3. Place a yellow dot under each crest and a pink dot above each dip.

Diamond chain

Green diamonds joined tip to tip, each with a yellow dot. The straight edges look neat beside doors, steps and tiles.

1. Draw a centre line and mark equal steps along it.
2. At each second mark, measure the same distance up and down, then join the four points into a diamond.
3. Fill the diamonds with green and put a yellow dot at the centre of each.

Leaf vine

A creeper with leaves on both sides of a white stem. Use it to frame a large rangoli or to lead guests from the gate to the door.

1. Draw the stem as one long white line.
2. Add a dark green leaf above the stem, leaning forward, then a light green leaf below it, a little further on.
3. Repeat the pair of leaves at even gaps to the end of the stem.

Lotus buds

Pink buds standing on a green line, each with two darker side petals. It pairs well with the lotus design for Diwali.

1. Draw a green base line.
2. On the line, draw a tall pointed bud in pink at equal gaps.
3. Add a shorter dark pink petal leaning out on each side of every bud.

Getting a border straight and even

• Snap a line. Rub chalk on a string, hold it tight at both ends and flick it against the floor. It leaves a straight guide.
• Measure with your hand. Decide the width of one unit, such as four fingers, and mark the whole length before drawing anything.
• Start at the middle. Draw the first unit at the centre of the line and work outward both ways, so the two ends match.
• Turning a corner. End the pattern a little before the corner on both sides and put a single flower or a diya in the corner itself.

More on this site

• Dot rangoliThree designs made by joining a grid of dots, step by step.
• Easy rangoliDesigns for beginners and children, with a practice plan.
• Diwali rangoliLotus, diyas and Lakshmi footprints for the festival of lights.
• Pongal and SankrantiSun designs and kolam for the harvest festivals.
• Onam pookalamFlower carpets: designs, flowers and how to lay them.
• How to make rangoliFrom an empty floor to a finished design, step by step.
• Colours and materialsPowders, flowers, grains and home-made colours.
• Names across IndiaKolam, muggu, alpana, mandana and more.