Sand Mandalas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-H0TlXi868

Sand Mandalas are a religious work of art made by buddhist monks.  It is made entirely out of colored sand.  The image generally contains religious themes and symbols.  At times, even single grains of sand are carefully placed on the work.  The most interesting part of the process is that at the end of the days, or weeks of work on the art, when it is finally finished, it is destroyed to symbolize the impermanence of life.  This is a very interesting form of art that can usually only be viewed through photo reproduction for most people.