'Jade' Lotus Carvings
Recreate the beauty of precious jade in a flower blossom! Sculpt a lotus, the symbol of an open mind in many Asian cultures.
1. In many Asian cultures, the lotus flower is a symbol of enlightenment. Just like the lotus, which is a water plant, our minds can open up leaf by leaf to allow in sunlight, even if our roots are in the mud. Jade was often used to carve these flowers, as this gemstone is highly valued by Asian cultures. Research the shape of a lotus flower and the carving methods used with jade. Each blossom is a series of simple petals that range from larger to smaller. Here is one way to sculpt a realistic replica of a jade lotus blossom.
2. Mix white and neon green Crayola Model Magic to create a light green jade color. Jade also can be white and salmon, so use these colors if you prefer. Form several fairly large petals. Join them together in the middle to create your first layer.
3. Make several more layers of petals, each one slightly smaller than the one before. Press each layer together at the center. Then press each smaller layer inside the larger layer.
4. Squeeze your flower slightly from the bottom so it appears to be opening. The tighter you squeeze, the tighter the blossom will be! Air-dry your jade lotus for at least 24 hours.
Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.
Crayola Modeling Materials including Crayola Model Magic®, and Model Magic Fusion™, Crayola Air-Dry Clay, and Crayola Dough—
- Keep away from open flames. Do not use to make candleholders, hot plates, trivets, or other similar objects that will be used or placed near fire and other heat sources.
- Do not put in an oven, microwave, or kiln.
- Do not make into vessels/containers that will hold unpackaged food.
- The use of modeling material to make items that look like food is discouraged for children younger than age 5 to avoid their confusion with real food.
- Unless sealed with a water-resistant glaze, do not make projects exposed to or immersed in water, such as boats or outdoor bird feeders. They would disintegrate when exposed to moisture.
- Crayola Dough—contains gluten (wheat flour) as an ingredient.
- Crayola Air-Dry Clay, Crayola Model Magic and Model Magic Fusion are gluten-free. However, they are produced on the same machinery as Crayola Dough which does contain gluten. Although the machines are cleaned prior to the start of each production run, there is a slight possibility that trace amounts of gluten from Crayola Dough may be present in the other modeling compound products. For information regarding specific ingredients or allergic concerns, please call our Consumer Affairs department at 1-800-272-9652 weekdays between 9 AM and 4 PM Eastern Standard Time.
- Research the origin of the use of the lotus symbol in Asian cultures. Explain the meanings associated with the symbol. Locate where jade is found on a world map.
- Study the botanical features of the lotus plant, and create a realistic model of it, including the underwater root system.
- Find out about other historic and contemporary carvings in jade. What do those symbols represent? Experiment with delicate sculptures using traditional and innovative designs.
- Assessment: Is the lotus sculpted to look realistic? Can students explain the meaning of the lotus flower in Asian cultures? Can they identify the colors of jade?
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