The Ashoka Chakra, the wheel on the Indian national flag, has 24 spokes. Each spoke represents an hour of the day and signifies the continuous movement of time. The 24 spokes stand for the ceaseless quest for progress in India and reflect the importance of equal rights and justice for all citizens. The Ashoka Chakra is an ancient symbol that has deep roots in Indian philosophy and spirituality.
Origin and History of the Ashoka Chakra
The Ashoka Chakra finds its origins in the Dharma Chakra, or Wheel of Law, which appears on a number of edicts of Emperor Ashoka from the 3rd century BCE. The Dharma Chakra was adopted as the emblem of the Indian state in 1947. It has 24 spokes representing the 24 hours of the day and the circular shape stands for continuity and movement.
Emperor Ashoka ruled over most of the Indian subcontinent in the 3rd century BCE. After the bloody Kalinga War, Ashoka embraced Buddhism and adopted the Wheel of Law as his emblem. It symbolized the Buddhist values of moral righteousness and served as a reminder to live a virtuous life. The Ashoka Chakra replaced the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka which appears on the national emblem of India.
When India gained independence in 1947, the Constituent Assembly adopted the Ashoka Chakra as the central motif on the national flag. While the Saffron, White and Green bands represent courage and sacrifice, peace and truth, and faith and chivalry respectively, the Ashoka Chakra signifies righteousness and progress. The Indian flag was officially adopted on 22 July 1947.
Significance of the 24 Spokes
The 24 spokes on the Ashoka Chakra represent the 24 hours of the day. Just as the wheel keeps rotating continuously, the 24 spokes signify the steady and relentless progress of the nation. The wheel represents the dynamic and forward movement of life and the changing cycles of time.
Each spoke stands for an hour, but also symbolizes an essential virtue. Some of these virtues are courage, patience, tolerance, righteousness, compassion, purity of thought, discipline, faith, sacrifice, humility, service, truthfulness, peaceful co-existence, respect for fellow beings, responsibility, unity, cooperation, brotherhood, vision, dedication, efficiency and welfare of all. Thus, the 24 spokes encapsulate the ideals and principles on which the nation is founded.
The unbroken wheel represents continuity as well as change. While continuity signifies stability and focus on progress, change stands for development through innovation. The national flag reflects this balance of tradition and modernity.
The Wheel in Indian Culture
The wheel has a long history as a powerful spiritual and philosophical symbol in Indian culture. It features prominently in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism where it connotes the cycle of creation, preservation and cosmic order.
In Hinduism, the Sudarshana Chakra is associated with Lord Vishnu. It represents the disc weapon used by Vishnu and symbolizes the power of the mind over the senses. The Samsara wheel denotes the endless cycle of birth and rebirth. In Buddhism, the Dharma Chakra stands for the Buddha’s teaching of the path to enlightenment. In Jainism, the swastika symbolizes the four possible states of human existence.
Thus, the wheel has enduring religious and mythological significance. By placing the Ashoka Chakra at the center of the flag, India honors its civilizational heritage going back thousands of years.
Use in State Emblems
Apart from the national flag, the Ashoka Chakra is seen on many state emblems as well. Some examples are:
- Jammu and Kashmir – The emblem features a plough, scales and two stars surrounding the Dharma Chakra.
- Bihar – TheAshokaChakra appears on an open lotus representing enlightenment.
- Uttar Pradesh – The wheel surrounded by an elephant tusk and a bull represents Buddhism.
- Madhya Pradesh – The Chakra is surrounded by floral designs on the emblem.
The central presence of the Wheel in state symbols reiterates the important place it occupies in India’s cultural imagination and ethos.
Global Influence
The Ashoka Chakra is recognized globally as a symbol of righteousness, progress and peaceful movement. Its 24 spokes reflect India’s commitment to equality, justice and positive advancement for its citizens. The wheel appears on stamps, coins and official documents to reassert India’s national identity.
Versions of the Ashoka Chakra are incorporated into the national flags of other countries as well. For instance, the flag of the Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius features the Dharma Chakra. The wheel also appears on the unofficial flag of Dalits representing their movement against discrimination.
Thus, the Ashoka Chakra is an irreplaceable icon representing India’s civilization, democracy and engagement with ideals of truth and morality.
Conclusion
The 24 spokes on the Ashoka Chakra highlight the 24 hours of the constantly turning wheel of time. They symbolize the steady and continuous progress of India as a nation. The wheel reiterates the civilizational values of righteousness, justice and peace. As a prominent emblem of the Indian state, the Ashoka Chakra evokes the nation’s long cultural heritage and commitment to enlightened progress.
| Time of Day | Corresponding Virtue |
|---|---|
| Midnight to 1 AM | Courage |
| 1 AM to 2 AM | Patience |
| 2 AM to 3 AM | Tolerance |
| 3 AM to 4 AM | Righteousness |
| 4 AM to 5 AM | Compassion |
| 5 AM to 6 AM | Purity of Thought |
| 6 AM to 7 AM | Discipline |
| 7 AM to 8 AM | Faith |
| 8 AM to 9 AM | Sacrifice |
| 9 AM to 10 AM | Humility |
| 10 AM to 11 AM | Service |
| 11 AM to 12 PM | Truthfulness |
| 12 PM to 1 PM | Peaceful Co-existence |
| 1 PM to 2 PM | Respect for Fellow Beings |
| 2 PM to 3 PM | Responsibility |
| 3 PM to 4 PM | Unity |
| 4 PM to 5 PM | Cooperation |
| 5 PM to 6 PM | Brotherhood |
| 6 PM to 7 PM | Vision |
| 7 PM to 8 PM | Dedication |
| 8 PM to 9 PM | Efficiency |
| 9 PM to 10 PM | Welfare of All |
| 10 PM to 11 PM | Progress |
| 11 PM to Midnight | Justice |
