Chakra Symbols and Their Meanings

Chakra Symbols and Their Meanings

By Courtney Pocock

There are seven essential chakra symbols that each represent a chakra. When these chakras are out of balance, it can cause illness and other problems in your life. While the chakras are not backed by modern science yet, they have been used in traditional medicine for years. In the Far East, these energy centers are used to realign the body for a clearer mind, spiritual enlightenment and a healthier body.

chakra symbols meanings

Chakra Symbols and Their Meanings

There are seven basic chakra symbols. We will go over the symbols in-depth later on. For the moment, these are the basic chakra locations:

Root Chakra: Also known as the base chakra, this one is located at the base of the spinal chord.

Sacral Chakra: This chakra is placed around the area where the prostate and ovaries are located.

Solar Plexus Chakra: This chakra is located around your navel area.

Heart Chakra: As you may have guessed, this chakra is located around your heart.

Throat Chakra: This chakra is is in your neck and throat area.

Third Eye Chakra: This chakra is placed at your pineal gland.

Crown Chakra: You will find this chakra at the top or crown of your head.

what is my chakra symbol?

The Symbols Behind Each Chakra

In Sanskrit, the word chakra actually means wheel. These symbols represent the wheel-like centers of energy that are based in your body. The ancient practitioners knew the location of the organs and nerve plexuses in the body, so this is where they placed the chakras. By using these energy centers and learning what they mean, we can better understand the function of them and how to balance our energies. Using the chakras, we can understand their attributes and how they can affect our lives.

Practitioners spend years learning how these chakras work, so this article is really just a basic guide to the chakras. If you want to learn more about them, there are plenty of books that can help you learn more and start using them in your life. Many people also use the chakra symbols and colors on their clothes so that they are reminded to work toward a higher energy.

Chakra Symbols and Their Meanings

1. Root Chakra

Traditional Name: Muladhara
Location: The sacral plexus and the base of the spine
Zodiac Signs: Capricorn, Virgo and Taurus

This chakra governs your adrenal glands and the excretion of your body. Interestingly, it also influences your sense of smell. When it comes to emotions, the root chakra is considered your center of survival. It governs the primal instincts that keep you alive. It is the color red and the element of the earth. For a mantra, use “lam.” This is the chakra that allows you to connect to your primal life force. When this chakra is imbalanced, you may have fears of letting go or poor boundaries.

2. Sacral Chakra

Traditional Name: Swadhisthana
Location: Genitals
Zodiac Signs: Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio

The sacral chakra is in charge of your reproductive organs and the gonads. It is emotionally connected to self-acceptance, sexual energy and your raw emotions. You can connect with this chakra if you want to connect to your creativity. It influences your sense of taste and is connected to the element of water. The chakra’s color is orange, and the mantra is “vam.” When this chakra is out of balance, you may have health problems like impotence, uterine issues, lower back pain, sciatica or bladder problems. Emotionally, you may have problems with money or romantic relationships when this chakra is out of balance.

3. Solar Plexus Chakra

Traditional Name: Manipura
Location: Navel
Zodiac Signs: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius

This chakra governs your abdominal organs and the pancreas. It is the chakra you would use to connect to the emotions in your subconscious. It is linked to your willpower and ego. On an emotional level, this is the chakra linked to mental acuity and your self-will. It is also responsible for your sense of identity. The solar plexus chakra governs your sense of site, and the mantra for it is “ram.” This chakra’s color is yellow, and it is connected to the element of fire. If this chakra can block, it can make you overly sensitive to criticism or judgmental. You may also fear rejection. In terms of health issues, this chakra can cause low energy, diabetes and stomach problems when it is out of balance.

chakra symbols

4. Heart Chakra

Traditional Name: Anahata
Location: Heart Area
Zodiac Signs: Aquarius, Gemini and Libra

This chakra is linked to your thymus and the lungs. If you want to access love, go to the heart chakra. Often, imbalances in your health or mental life are caused by an imbalance with the heart chakra. It is the center of healing, and a good chakra to focus on if you have a need for healing. The heart chakra influences your sense of touch. It is also said to be the seat of love and compassion. The heart chakra is linked to the element of air. The mantra for it is “yam,” and the color linked to this chakra is green. When this chakra is out of balance, it can cause breathing problems, shortness of breath, high blood pressure and chest pains. You have to allow your suppressed emotions to surface and resolve themselves if you want to have a healthy heart chakra.

5. Throat Chakra

Traditional Name: Vishudha
Location: The Laryngeal Plexus
Zodiac Signs: There are no zodiac signs associated with this chakra.

As you may have guessed, this chakra is located at the throat. It governs your self-expression and your thyroid. The throat chakra is connected to the element of ether. It is the chakra you turn to if you want to connect to your creative expression or want to improve your communication skills. It is linked to things like speech and self-expression. The mantra for this chakra is “ham.” When you see this chakra symbol, it will always be blue in color.

6. Third Eye

Traditional Name: Ajna
Location: On the forehead and between your eyebrows
Zodiac Signs: There are no zodiac signs associated with this chakra.

This chakra is placed at your pituitary gland. This mystical chakra is connected to your sixth sense. It is said to be a part of your higher mind. In terms of emotions, it is the chakra considered responsible for your emotions. It is connected to extrasensory perception. This chakra is the one to use if you want to connected to your supernatural, primordial powers. The mantra for the chakra is “aum.” It is linked to the color indigo, and the element of time.

7. Crown Chakra

Traditional Name: Sahasrara
Location: The brain and the top/crown of the head
Zodiac Signs: There are no zodiac signs associated with this chakra.

This chakra is connected to your pineal gland. It influences the sensory realm and everything beyond it. This chakra is the one to use if you want to connect to eternal bliss and the all-knowing. You can use this chakra to free yourself from all of the material and corporeal world. This chakra is is represented by the mantra of silence. In terms of emotions, it is linked to peace and divinity. It is said to be the seat of enlightenment. While the element for the crown chakra is space, the color it symbolizes is violet.

Chakra Colors

Besides function, each chakra is also associated with a color. This refers to the color of the aura of the individual chakra. It is believed in some circles that eating natural food (usually of the same color) associated with a chakra strengthens it.

Muladhara – Red. The ruby and red coral are stones associated with this chakra. Root vegetables and hot spices open this chakra.

Swadhisthana – Orange. Garnet, moonstone, tiger’s eye and garnet are its gemstones. Fruits like mango, oranges and melons and food like honey, almonds and walnuts make the Swadhisthana more receptive.

Manipura – Yellow. The stones topaz, citrine and jasper are linked to the Manipura chakra.

Anahata – Green. It is unlocked via the rose quartz, commonly called the Romance stone, as well as jade and emerald.

Vishudha – Blue. Topaz, lapis lazuli, blue opal, aquamarine and azurite are associated with the throat chakra. Tangy fruits like lemon and lime and herbs and spices like salt and lemongrass help you to access its potential.