The Seven Chakras Symbols Meanings: ✓Explained

Our body consists of two parts – the physical part ( which we can see, touch, and feel) and the energetic or astral body. Energy vortexes in our body that radiate different vibrations are called the “Chakras.” 

In this blog post, we will delve deeper into the symbols representing our body’s energy centers, and the specific colors associated with each chakra. We will also explore the chakra system in greater detail.

But before we dive straight into the symbols and colors, it’s a great idea to have a quick overview of what chakras really are.

What Are Chakras? 

“Chakra” is a Sanskrit word that literally means “a wheel”. These energy vortexes are called chakras because, like a wheel, they spin and produce vibrations that help our body with its psychological and spiritual balance. 

There are 7 chakras located in the body, starting from the base of the spine to the very top of the head. When these chakras are in balance, they promote health (mental and physical) and vitality in the body (see also our post: why chakra balancing is important).

But imbalanced chakras can lead to psychological problems, which eventually take the form of a physical ailment. 

The chakra system in the body is an extension of the mind-body connection. The mind-body connection is the link between a person’s thoughts, emotions, and physical health. The proponents of the mind-body connection believe that mental and physical health are intertwined. 

“There’s no question that the mind-body connection is real, even if we can’t quantify it. Hope is one of the greatest weapons we have to fight disease.”

— David Agus

Symbols of the Chakras and the Meanings

Each chakra in our body is represented by a specific symbol that denotes each energy center’s qualities and function. The shapes of the elements in the chakras usually consist of geometrical shapes like squares, triangles, and circles.

One important element in all chakra symbols is the Lotus flower.

Lotus is a sacred flower in Hinduism (the religion which introduced the Chakra system). The Lotus flowers often grow in muddy waters and symbolize resilience, strength, and birth. The lotus depicts that beautiful things can take form and thrive amidst chaos and horror.

Another common element in the symbols is the circle. The circle represents continuity and connection and hints at our undeniable bond with the divine energy that encompasses the universe. The chakra symbols can be seen as sacred geometry symbols for healing.

The Root Chakra

The root chakra, also called the “Muladhara,” is located near the base of the spine. This chakra has a feisty red color which represents courage and safety. Red is also a color that depicts zest and passion for life.

This chakra is associated with our core needs — safety and survival. It is also responsible for keeping us grounded and connected to the earth (see also post earth chakras) (see also post earth chakras) (see also post earth chakras). So, a balanced root chakra gives us feelings of being safe and strongly connecting with mother nature. 

The symbol for this chakra is a lotus flower with four petals; a square and an inverted triangle. The four petals of the lotus represent:

• Mind (Manas) – the faculty which organizes the information from the senses
• Intellect (Buddhi) – the faculty that helps with awareness and reasoning
• Consciousness (Chitta) – faculty that makes the body conscious of its own existence
• Ego (Ahamkara) – the false self that separates us from our consciousness

The square inside the petal represents grounding and stability. The four corners of the square are in congruence with the four petals of the lotus, and they again reinforce the idea of four foundational pillars of consciousness.

An inverted triangle in the middle of this symbol signifies this chakra’s connection with the earth and its powerful healing energies.

“Program your life the way you want it to be: don’t waste the unused energy that lodges in the matrix of your soul. You are transcendent, be a superintendent.” 

– Michael Bassey Johnson

The Sacral Chakra

The Sacral Chakra also called the “Svadhishthana,” lies just below the navel. The color of this energy center is orange, symbolizing optimism, energy, and creativity.

This chakra controls and regulates one’s sexual pleasures, creative expression, and desires. A perfectly aligned sacral chakra manifests as you feeling good about yourself and being passionate about your creative pursuits. 

The symbol for this chakra is a lotus flower consisting of six petals. The six petals of the lotus flower represent Pride, Desire, Anger, Jealousy, Cruelty, and Hatred. The lotus signifies that these (negative) traits must be controlled, eliminated, and replaced with positive, divine traits of love, fulfillment, joy, faith, and compassion. 

The circle inside the petals represents the ever-continuing cycle of birth-death-rebirth. The circle is also often associated with water, which means movement and fluidity.

The crescent moon inside the circle symbolizes a variety of things:

1. It depicts change, the nature of the universe, and everything with it. 
2. Also, it symbolizes the different phases of the lunar cycle.
3. Lastly, the crescent also represents the menstrual cycle of the female body.

The Solar Plexus Chakra

The Solar Plexus Chakra, also called the “Manipura” chakra, lies around the stomach area, just below the rib cage. The color of this chakra is a bright yellow referring to energy, happiness, and self-esteem. 

This chakra is the source of your self-esteem, inner wisdom, and personal power. When this chakra is in harmony, you will likely feel in control of things and feel joyful about life.

The symbol for this energy center is a yellow lotus with ten petals. The ten petals of the lotus refer to the ten pranas. Prana is the life force — the energy which creates everything and flows through every particle in this universe. In Chinese wisdom, this life force energy is called“Chi”.

The inverted triangle represents energy rising from the lower chakras to the higher chakras in the body. This is also called “kundalini” energy.

The Heart Chakra

The Heart Chakra is also called the “Anatha” in Sanskrit. This chakra lies right in the middle of the chest and is represented by the color green. Green is the color of beginnings, growth, and transformation.

The heart chakra regulates your emotions and is the connecting point between the lower three chakras and the higher ones. That is why the heart is also called the center of transformation. 

The symbol of this chakra is a lotus with twelve petals that represent the divine qualities of the heart.

Here are the twelve divine qualities of the heart: Love, Unity, Harmony, Peace, Empathy, Understanding, Purity, Clarity, Compassion, Forgiveness, Kindness, and Bliss.

The circle inside the petals represents the continuous cycle of life and death and rebirth. It also shows the link between the body and the cosmos, both are one and the same.

The six-pointed star inside the circle symbolizes divine masculine and feminine energies coming together and merging to amplify the energy needed for transformation.

The Throat Chakra

The fifth energy center in the body is also known as the “Vishuddha.” This chakra emits blue color. The color blue is associated with the ocean and symbolizes freedom, openness, and inspiration.

This chakra is associated with themes of self-expression and finding your voice. With a balanced throat chakra, you can expect great communication skills and the ability to fully express your ideas without fearing being judged by others.  

The symbol of this chakra consists of a lotus with sixteen petals. These petals are a representation of the sixteen vowels of the Sanskrit language. Inside the lotus again lies an inverted triangle signifying energy accumulation from the lower three centers and shifting upwards to the higher chakras.

Right in the middle of the triangle lies a circle representing a calm, detached, and pure mind. 

The Third Eye Chakra

The “Ajna,” or the Third Eye Chakra, is the most revered and celebrated energy center. This powerful chakra denotes intuition, and the color indigo represents it. Indigo is the color of deep inner wisdom and strong intuition.  

The third eye chakra connects you to your higher self via intuition and inner wisdom. A balanced chakra means you align with your higher self and live a life true to your vision.

The symbol of this chakra is a two-petalled lotus flower. The two petals indicate the duality between God and self. 

The inverted triangle represents the activation of the pineal gland (often regarded as the portal to higher dimensions). Once your pineal gland is activated, it can elevate your mind and awareness to higher realms that are not perceivable at lower levels of consciousness.

“There is deep wisdom within our very flesh if we can only come to our senses and feel it.” 

– Elizabeth Behnke

The Crown Chakra

The seventh chakra in our astral (energetic) body is the “Sahasrara.” It is associated with the color violet which is a color of devotion, peace, and grandeur.

This chakra symbolizes your spiritual connection and communion with God. A balanced crown chakra helps you access states of wholeness and transcendence. 

Its symbol is a lotus with thousand petals. The thousands of lotus flower petals represent our union with the divine energy behind every physical form. It also indicates the infinite nature of our connection with the universal mind.

Inside the petals lies a circle that represents the full moon. The full moon is associated with prosperity, abundance, and transformation. The full moon is also a sign of divine luck and chance.

In case you’re interested, we have a post specifically about the crown chakra: herbs for crown chakra healing.

Also, there are chakras in your hands too, or utilize chakra color meditation, check the articles out.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between physical and energetic bodies?

The physical body is tangible—what you see, touch, and feel. The energetic or astral body comprises chakras, invisible energy vortexes that spin and produce vibrations affecting psychological and spiritual balance alongside physical health.

Why is the lotus flower significant in all chakra symbols?

The lotus is sacred in Hinduism, symbolizing resilience, strength, and spiritual birth. It represents how beauty and transformation flourish despite chaos, making it essential to chakra symbolism reflecting personal growth through adversity.

How do imbalanced chakras affect physical health?

Imbalanced chakras create psychological disturbances that manifest as physical ailments. This reflects the mind-body connection—mental and emotional states directly influence physical wellness. Chakra balancing restores harmony between thought, emotion, and physical health.

What does the root chakra color red represent?

Red symbolizes courage, safety, zest, and passion for life. Located at the spine’s base, the root chakra’s red energy grounds us to Earth, promoting feelings of security and stable connection to nature for survival and foundational wellbeing.

How does the sacral chakra relate to creativity and sexuality?

The sacral chakra controls sexual pleasure, creative expression, and desires through its orange energy representing optimism and vitality. When balanced, it manifests as self-confidence, passionate creative pursuits, and healthy emotional fulfillment in intimate connections.

What is the meaning of the inverted triangle in chakra symbols?

The inverted triangle signifies kundalini energy rising from lower chakras upward through higher centers. It represents energy transformation, activation of spiritual power, and the ascension of consciousness through the chakra system toward enlightenment.

Why is the heart chakra considered the center of transformation?

The heart chakra bridges lower three chakras (survival, sexuality, power) with upper three (communication, intuition, spirituality). Its twelve divine qualities—love, compassion, forgiveness—facilitate emotional integration and spiritual evolution, making it pivotal for inner transformation.

What role does the third eye chakra play in intuition?

The third eye chakra connects you to higher self through intuition and inner wisdom. Its indigo energy activates the pineal gland, elevating consciousness to perceive non-physical dimensions. A balanced third eye aligns you with authentic vision and spiritual truth.

How many petals does each chakra lotus have and why?

Petal numbers vary: root has four (consciousness faculties), sacral six (negative traits to transform), solar plexus ten (life force pranas), heart twelve (divine qualities), throat sixteen (Sanskrit vowels), third eye two (divine duality), crown thousand (infinite universal connection).

What does a balanced crown chakra represent spiritually?

A balanced crown chakra symbolizes spiritual communion with divine consciousness, enabling transcendence and wholeness. Its violet energy and thousand-petaled lotus reflect infinite union with universal mind, granting access to enlightenment, cosmic awareness, and divine abundance.