You probably heard about energetic centres in our bodies, known as chakras.
Chakra is a word, which comes from an ancient, Indian script language known as Sanskrit and it translates to “wheel” or “circle“.
All 7 chakra symbols are in fact created in circular design, which might also remind you of the geometric shape known as mandala.
Mandalas help us to understand our place in the Universe as they represent a perfect cosmic harmony.
Yes, chakra symbols are in fact mandala lotuses!
Each chakra lotus is portrayed with a different number of petals, which are expression of their vibratory frequency:
- Root Chakra symbol has 4 petals
- Sacral Chakra symbol has 6 petals
- Solar Plexus Chakra symbol has 10 petals
- Heart Chakra symbol has 12 petals
- Throat Chakra symbol has 16 petals
- Third Eye Chakra symbol has 2 petals
- Crown Chakra symbol has 1,000 petals
You can learn more about the importance of mandalas in the Mandala Meaning article on our blog.
When you look deeper into early traditions of Hinduism and ancient Tantric texts about chakras you will find that each of these symbols is sacred and have a deep metaphorical meaning.
In this article, I am going to break down elements of each chakra symbol and help you to discover all of the little secrets, which are hidden inside of them.
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Root Chakra Symbol Meaning
The root chakra symbol is depicted by a lotus flower with 4 petals which represent 4 aspects of human being:
- Mind (or Manas in Sansktrit)
- Intellect (Buddhi)
- Consciousness (Chitta)
- Ego (Ahamkara)
There is a square in the centre of the lotus, which represents Earth with its grounding and foundational energy.
Inside of the square there is a downward facing triangle, which can be interpreted as a seed of consciousness and the place where our spirit is incarnated into the physical form.
As we evolve on our spiritual journey to awakening we are able expand our consciousness and inverted triangle is a perfect representation of this idea.
You can learn more about root chakra in our Root Chakra Healing Guide | Muladhara.
Sacral Chakra Symbol Meaning
The symbol of sacral chakra can be described as an orange lotus flower with six, vermilion-colored petals, which holds a circle and crescent moon inside of it.
The seed mantra in the centre of the sacral chakra symbol is a syllable व VAM.
There is a dot right above the seed mantra symbol, which represents Hindu deity Vishnu.
Second chakra symbol has a moon in its centre with water as its ruling element.
Just as 28-day moon cycle affects the waters in the sea by creating magnetic pull, it also affects your body.
For women this repeatedly occurs in relation to 28-day menstrual cycle
But there’s one more element often depicted in Tantric symbol of Svadhisthana:
Inside the crescent moon hides an alligator-like, water creature called makara.
Makara has a long tail, which symbolizes the coil of Kundalini and it a representation of your deep desires and unconscious, animal instincts.
You can learn more about sacral chakra in our Sacral Chakra Healing Guide | Svadhisthana.
Solar Plexus Chakra Symbol Meaning
Solar plexus chakra symbol is represented by a yellow lotus with 10 petals and inverted, red triangle of fire (Tejas) in the middle.
Seed mantra in the centre of solar plexus chakra symbol is the sound syllable ram.
Triangle with T-shaped arms on each side represents the Sun and it is often portrayed on Hindu paintings of solar plexus chakra with god Vahni, supported by a ram.
Each petal of the lotus corresponds to one aspect of Bradha Rudra, who is the deity of this chakra.
The black letters (vrittis) on the petals of manipura symbol can be translated to:
- Spiritual Ignorance (avidya)
- Thirst (trishna)
- Jealousy (dvesh)
- Treachery (krurta)
- Shame (lajja)
- Fear (bhai)
- Disgust (nirasha)
- Foolishness (murkhta)
- Sadness (udasinta)
You can learn more about solar plexus chakra in our Solar Plexus Chakra Healing Guide | Manipura.
Heart Chakra Symbol Meaning
Heart chakra symbol is represented by a green lotus with 12 petals and 2 intersecting triangles in the center, forming a hexagram.
First triangle symbolizes God’s masculine essence (interpreted as Shiva) and second symbolizes God’s feminine essence (interpreted as Shakti).
Each petal of the heart chakra lotus is associated with one of 12 virtues of a pure heart:
- Love
- Harmony
- Empathy
- Understanding
- Purity
- Clarity
- Compassion
- Unity
- Forgiveness
- Kindness
- Peace
- Bliss
In Hindu mythology, Vaju who is at the centre of a heart chakra symbol, is the god associated with the heart chakra
Vaju is also known as “deity of Life” and the god of air, and wind.
You can learn more about heart chakra in our Heart Chakra Healing Guide | Anahata.
Throat Chakra Symbol Meaning
Throat chakra symbol is represented by a bright, blue…
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