The chakras are the energy centers in our body said to be located along the spine, starting from the base of the spine and moving upwards to the top of the head. Though the concept originated in ancient India, the chakras are known today in New Age and alternative medicine circles as well as in complementary and holistic healing techniques. There are said to be seven main chakras in the human body, each associated with a color, a symbol, and specific aspects of the human experience. Understanding the chakra system can help bring awareness to different parts of oneself.
Root Chakra
The root chakra, or Muladhara, is located at the base of the spine. Its symbolic color is red, and it represents our foundation. The root chakra is associated with feeling grounded, stable, and secure. It connects us to basic needs and physical identity, such as self-preservation. An unbalanced root chakra may manifest as feelings like fear, lack of self-confidence, or depression.
Root Chakra Symbol
The main symbol for the root chakra is a red lotus flower with four petals. This represents the four elements of earth, water, fire, and air coming together in harmony and being grounded through the root chakra.
| Root Chakra Keywords |
|---|
| Safety, survival, grounding |
Some other symbols associated with the root chakra:
– Square shape – Stands for stability
– Elephant – Represents strength and support
– Earth element – Such as a crystal, representing grounding
Keeping the root chakra balanced includes activities like exercising, eating grounding foods, spending time in nature, meditation, using red crystals, and surrounding oneself with the color red.
Sacral Chakra
The sacral chakra, or Svadhisthana, is located below the navel. Its color is orange, and it represents creativity, reproduction, pleasure, and sexuality. A balanced sacral chakra allows one to feel joy, successfully connect with others, and tap into creative flow. An unbalanced sacral chakra manifests as emotional instability, intimacy issues, or creative blocks.
Sacral Chakra Symbol
The main symbol of the sacral chakra is an orange lotus with six petals. This represents vitality, fertility, and the flowing movement of energy.
| Sacral Chakra Keywords |
|---|
| Emotion, intimacy, creativity |
Some other symbols of the sacral chakra include:
– Crescent moon – Indicates flow, change, and cycles
– Water element – Represents fluidity of emotions and creativity
– Bowl – Collects and contains creative energy
Keeping the sacral chakra balanced includes activities like dancing, bonding with others, creative hobbies, yoga, wearing orange, and using orange crystals.
Solar Plexus Chakra
The solar plexus chakra, or Manipura, is located above the navel. Its color is yellow, and it represents our personal power, self-esteem, and willpower. A balanced solar plexus chakra contributes to confidence, self-expression, and having a strong life force. An unbalanced solar plexus chakra manifests as low self-esteem, difficulty making decisions, and poor boundaries.
Solar Plexus Chakra Symbol
The main solar plexus chakra symbol is a yellow lotus flower with ten petals. This represents radiating and expanding energy.
| Solar Plexus Chakra Keywords |
|---|
| Confidence, self-esteem, purpose |
Other solar plexus chakra symbols include:
– Triangle – Indicates focus and intention
– Fire element – Represents inner power and will
– Jewels or gems – Connote radiance and shining one’s inner light
Keeping this chakra balanced involves activities like yoga poses to strengthen the core, speaking one’s truth, wearing yellow, meditating, and using yellow crystals.
Heart Chakra
The heart chakra, or Anahata, is located at the center of the chest. Its color is green or pink, and it represents love, compassion, and relationships. A balanced heart chakra allows deep bonds, empathy, and acceptance. An unbalanced heart chakra manifests as co-dependency, jealousy, isolation, or bitterness.
Heart Chakra Symbol
The main symbol for the heart chakra is a green or pink lotus flower with twelve petals. This represents an expansive, open heart energy.
| Heart Chakra Keywords |
|---|
| Love, forgiveness, balance |
Other heart chakra symbols include:
– Two intersecting triangles – Represent the union of opposites, as in partnerships or relationships
– Hands held in prayer position – Indicates compassion and healing
– Rose quartz – Opens up the heart to give and receive love
Keeping the heart chakra balanced involves activities like volunteering, saying affirmations, aromatherapy, wearing green, and using green crystals.
Throat Chakra
The throat chakra, or Vishuddha, sits at the center of the neck. Its color is blue, and it represents communication, expression, and truth. A balanced throat chakra allows honest, thoughtful communication and an ability to speak one’s wisdom. An unbalanced throat chakra manifests as shyness, passiveness, talking too much, or lack of discernment.
Throat Chakra Symbol
The main symbol for the throat chakra is a blue lotus with sixteen petals. This represents the multiple ways energy can express itself through communication.
| Throat Chakra Keywords |
|---|
| Communication, self-expression, truth |
Some other throat chakra symbols include:
– Crescent moon on its side – Energy speaking, expression
– Elephant head – Ancient symbol of wisdom and discernment
– Peacock – Represents integrity and the beauty of honest self-expression
Keeping the throat chakra balanced involves chanting, speaking positively, writing, wearing blue, and using blue crystals.
Third Eye Chakra
The third eye chakra, or Ajna, is located between the eyebrows. Its color is indigo, and it represents intuition, imagination, and wisdom. A balanced third eye leads to clarity, focus, and trusting one’s inner guidance. An unbalanced third eye manifests as poor concentration and judgment, disorganization, or ignoring gut feelings.
Third Eye Chakra Symbol
The main symbol of the third eye is an indigo lotus flower with two large petals. This represents seeing with intuition and “inner vision.”
| Third Eye Chakra Keywords |
|---|
| Intuition, imagination, insight |
Some other third eye chakra symbols include:
– Eye – Represents the inner eye that sees beyond ordinary perception
– Lightning – Indicates sudden bursts of insight and realization
– Amethyst crystal – Opens up intuition and clairvoyance
Keeping this chakra balanced involves meditation, dream work, visualizations, wearing indigo, and using amethyst crystals.
Crown Chakra
The crown chakra, or Sahasrara, sits at the very top of the head. Its color is purple, and it represents connecting to higher consciousness and spirituality. A balanced crown chakra allows feelings of deep peace, unity, and understanding one’s higher purpose. An unbalanced crown chakra manifests as close-mindedness, a lack of purpose, or difficulty feeling spiritual connectedness.
Crown Chakra Symbol
The main symbol for the crown chakra is a purple lotus flower with a thousand petals. This represents attaining enlightenment and pure consciousness.
| Crown Chakra Keywords |
|---|
| Unity, wisdom, purpose |
Some other crown chakra symbols include:
– Star – Shining divine light and reaching the heavens
– Mandala – Represents the cosmos, consciousness, and unity
– Clear quartz crystal – Amplifies higher guidance from the divine
Keeping the crown chakra balanced involves rituals, chanting, being in nature, meditation, wearing purple, and placing amethyst or clear quartz on the head.
Conclusion
The seven chakras represent important aspects of human awareness and experience. Learning about the chakra symbols provides insight into their meanings and helps guide efforts to keep these energy centers open and flowing. With proper attention and care, the chakras can work together in harmony, promoting health, fulfillment, and continual growth. Understanding and using the chakras is a powerful tool on the path of self-realization and tapping into our highest potential.