RangoliTricolour flower rangoli
A flower in saffron, white and green with dark blue dots, for Independence Day and Republic Day. It uses the national colours as a theme and does not draw the flag itself, which should never be placed on the ground.
- Level
- Medium
- Size
- About 60 cm across (2 feet)
- Time
- About 30 to 45 minutes
- Steps
- 6
- Good for
- Independence Day, Republic Day, school events
Colours you need
Dark blueWhiteSaffronDeep green
Tap Outline to see the design as lines, then print it to practise on paper or to colour in.
How to draw it, step by step
Sweep the floor and wipe it with a damp cloth so the powder grips. Mark the centre with chalk. Then follow the pictures. Each one adds one part.
Make a small filled circle in dark blue. This is the centre of the whole design, so place it carefully.
Draw eight short pointed petals around the centre, filled in white. Mark the eight tips with dots first so the petals come out even.
Draw eight long pointed petals in the gaps between the earlier ones, filled in saffron. Mark the eight tips with dots first so the petals come out even.
Draw sixteen long pointed petals in the gaps between the earlier ones, filled in deep green. Mark the sixteen tips with dots first so the petals come out even.
Place twenty-four dark blue dots in a ring. Drop a pinch of powder and press lightly for each dot.
Draw a thin white circle around the design. A string held at the centre, with chalk at the other end, keeps it round.
Tip: White powder shows every smudge. Fill the saffron and green first, and add the white petals last.
Where it works best
It belongs at school gates, society entrances and office receptions on 15 August and 26 January, and it is a regular choice for school competitions with a national theme. Draw it where people gather for the flag hoisting, but not directly under the flagpole where everyone must stand.
What usually goes wrong, and the fix
Saffron and deep green powders vary a great deal between shops. Test them side by side on the floor first, and keep the white clean by adding it last. Remember that this is a flower in the national colours, not the flag, so do not add a wheel at the centre. More fixes are on rangoli problems and fixes.
Make it your own
- Swap one ring of petals for flower petals or for real diyas placed on the floor.
- Add one of the border designs around it to make it larger without drawing a harder centre.
- Print the outline and try two or three colour plans with pencils before you choose.
New to rangoli? Read how to make rangoli and colours and materials first.