Final answer:
To predict the next figure in a pattern, one must identify repetition and variations in the sequence. The descriptions suggest themes of alternating subjects and possibly movements or statuses. Specifics are lacking, so no exact answer can be given without more information.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine what the next figure in the pattern might be, it's important to identify the repetition of elements and any variations that occur among the figures. Analyzing the descriptions provided, there are notable patterns and changes within each image that give us clues.
In the description of the female figure with a lily crown and the subsequent background change from yellow to white featuring a male figure, one can deduce that there is a pattern in terms of alternating genders and perhaps alternating activities or statuses.
The mention of the Mandelbrot set, known for its complex and chaotic pattern, suggests that one should look for a fractal or self-similar structure in the sequence.
The reference to the figure skater and the elephant could imply a transition from something large and grounded to something graceful and in motion.
Therefore, to answer the question 'What is the next figure in the pattern?', one would have to extract the common theme or rule from each figure's description and predict how the pattern would logically continue, taking into account the changes in color, subject, and composition. Since specific figures are not provided here, a precise answer cannot be given.