Today as we travel in the Zentangle Time Machine we are taking a brief stop at the point in time when we first introduced the concept of the Zentomology system of tangles.
A few years into the birth of the Zentangle Method, the energy and interest in the art form was accelerating. The community was growing and with that came chatter. I don’t mean gossip-like chatter. I mean that Zentangle enthusiasts were talking about the Zentangle Method artform. It was like we suddenly had our own secret language. From the beginning we had names for tangles and names for the various steps and supplies. It was what helped us identify the approach and guide people through processes. As time went on the vocabulary around the method began to grow. We came up with names for tangling techniques and then we found ourselves naming types of tangles and words that described tangles. It was magical how it all organically came together. And before we knew it, there really was a language around the Zentangle Method.
The Zentomology system became a way for us to study the deconstruction and categorization of tangles. Because this is an artform not a science, we have infinite categories and ways to deconstruct and describe tangles. We even borrowed the term genus from science to refer to these tangle categories. Over the years we have held classes and designed products that explore this fascinating world. It has been so fun to see how it has evolved.
Let’s take a stroll down the Zentomology memory lane.
In 2010, we held a class in an old mansion in Newport, Rhode Island. This was very exciting and the first time we shared the Zentomological concept in public. This class brought focus to finding patterns in your environment and learning how to break them down into elemental strokes.
In 2020, we introduced Project Pack No. 09. This was our first project pack that was themed around a tangle genus. This pack is all about organic tangles and if you have not done it yet, it is one to try and the results are stunning!
Later in 2020, we introduced Project Pack No. 10 which featured a custom booklet to create tangled legends. Each legend was thematic and shared information about categorizing tangles. This project pack is a great way to learn a bunch of tangles and goes on to be a valuable and beautiful resource.
In 2022, a group of over 250 CZTs gathered to study and learn about the Zentomology system of tangles at a special zenAgain event. Here we worked with CZTs on the major categories of tangles that we use for teaching. We explored how new and old tangles fit into these categories and how to share that with others.
We then took a step into uncharted territories and surprised Zentangle enthusiasts with something different. Project Pack No. 19, the 12 Days of Zentangle in 2022, was all about Zentomology and the surface was BIG! This pack of materials came with a custom template printed on Tiepolo paper. It is a dream to work on, and each lesson explored different tangle genuses and guided tanglers through creating a larger tangled work. This project was and is exciting and educational. There is a sense of accomplishment when completing a piece of art this big and it is worthy of a prominent featured spot on your wall. This is a not to miss Project Pack.
In 2023, we released Project Pack No. 20 and did another deep dive into a particular tangle genus. This time we explored the category of blossoming tangles. These tangles make wonderful monotangles. They tend to be more involved. The lessons are informative and detailed and leave you creatively satisfied. Although the materials for this project pack have been retired, the videos are still available on our YouTube Channel. You can easily participate with a pack of Zendalas and the specified tools. 
Later that year, we released Project Pack No. 21 which was all about organic tangles. Though we had previously studied this category in Project Pack No. 9, this series took it in a totally different direction. This pack was a deep dive into a world that combined botany and tangles. It is playful, imaginative and has a crafty twist. If you have any soft spot for flowers this is a pack not to be missed. The result is one you will revisit repeatedly. 
In 2025, we introduced our Legends of Zentangle Series. Inspired by the legend and icosahedron die in the original Zentangle kit, these sets include unique thematic legends to help navigate your tangling practice. Each one with a different theme. So far, we have released five different sets; the Legend of Lady Aura, the Legend of Strings, the Legend of Organic Tangles, the Legend of Reticula and Fragments and the Legend of Zen and Tangle. The Organic Tangles and Reticula and Fragments sets are a great way to play with tangle genuses and dig into the study of tangles.
Have you invented a tangle genus of your own? Let us know in the comments! We will pick a commenter at random to receive a Zentangle surprise!
The notion of sorting and categorizing tangles by type is my cup of tea. I have kept an ongoing chart of patterns sorted by type for years and love figuring out which category best describes a certain tangle. The genus I added is: intricate. These are often called ‘high focus’ patterns. Happy tangling!
Nancy D., CZT 18 on
Eileen Bangerter on
trudy breskovic on
When I began Tangling 5+ years ago, I immediately created my own step-out blank form, and have drawn the step-out for every pattern I’ve learned since then (654 of them so far). By the end of the first year, needing a way to organize all of the forms, I divided them into the following six categories: Leaf-like, Flower-like, Grid Based, Lines & Borders, Stand Alone, and Filler designs. My half-sheet step-outs are numbered (in the order learned), placed back to back in a clear, acid-free sleeve, and then in “mini” 3-ring binders, one binder for each category. The six binders are filled to the maximum now, so I’ll have to split some of the categories into two binders as I move forward. This system of categories has worked well for me, as I’m always able to find the step-out for a pattern, even when I don’t recall its name. Also, by the way, I believe it has helped me learn and remember patterns to have drawn my own step-outs (on which I include my own pattern variations and shading/highlighting. I love your Zentomology, and the story about how you came to name your system of classification! My dad was an entomologist… he would have loved it too! Thanks for everything you do to keep the art of Tangling going and growing!
Robin Atkins on
In my working life (now retired) I was a metadata analyst, so categorizing tangles is right up my alley. I’ve added some genera in my personal list to those in the Zenthology simply because I look for these types more often when trying to find a tangle to use. They are:
“auraing” (e.g., auragin, crescent moon, static),
“orbific” (e.g., bronx cheer, jetties, tipple),
“spintastic” (e.g., printemps, ibex), and
“stacking” (aka “draw behind”, e.g., arukas, hollibaugh, printemps [optionally], spoken, verdigogh).
Yeah, I have them all in a database. I am such a metadata nerd!
Kathy Kult, CZT40 on
Barb Burgess CZT12 on
As the “Zen Quilter”, I use it to this day to inspire my custom quilting.
Your evolution over these years has been incredible and awesome!
Pat Ferguson on
Nancy Jean Schoo on
So many amazing tangles with unlimited potential have been gifted to us over the years! Thanks to all of the creative minds out there! I was thinking about two very unique tangles; Bijou and Lady Aura. Now they are certainly organic, however they are more than just a tangle. Maybe there should be a genus for them….and their friends to come. “Animated”? Anthropomorphic is such a long word for two cute little tangles!
Marmie on
Winnie Givot on
Susan Arnsten-Russell CZT 31
Susan Arnsten-Russell on
Susan Arnsten-Russell on
What about the “genius” genus of ‘Mac n’ Cheese’ tangles? My mac n’ cheese tangles have evolved over the past few years from mostly geometric tangles to include organic tangles and tangles that morph from one to another. Thanks for this look onto the past of tangle evolution!
Leslie Hancock on
Mary Anne Waldron CZT on
Tracy Lamb on
kATHY kNOKE on
Kim VanZyll on
Susan Litteral CZT37 on
Ezmes, Snapplez, and Kooztras to name just a few. The latest one is Zanaya.
Ann Baum, CZT36 on
Alice on
Mary Illana Perrin CZT 32 on
Carol Roenbaugh on
Kendra Page on
The Project packs are another fascinating aspect of Zentangle history.
Mosaics created with class tiles are also an interesting & eye opening part of the Zentangle process.
Thank you for keeping us informed and how The Zentangle community has expanded my world and my life.
Christi Guymon - CZT-37 on
Mary Kay Watson on