The 7 Chakra Symbols and What You Need to Know About Them

Last updated on Sep 12th, 2024 by Heena Ganotra

Chakra is an ancient Indian concept and was first mentioned in the Vedas, the most revered of all Hindu sacred texts. While the concept has become more familiar to people interested in meditation or the fans of the wildly popular anime Naruto, few have taken the time to really understand what chakra symbols mean and how they can affect a person’s health according to ancient healing knowledge. When you look at a chakras chart, you will see seven unique chakras of different colours associated with different parts of the body. 

But what do they mean? How do they affect your body and mind? Why are they such an essential aspect of Indian meditation and yoga practices? We explain what you need to know!

Chakra Symbols – What are They?

According to Ancient Indian knowledge, chakras are a complex energy management system with points located at different parts of your body. Some sources say there are over 114 different chakras in a person’s body but when people mention chakras, they are mostly referring to the seven primary ones located along the spine. 

Every chakra has a specific name, number, colour, location along the spine, and influence on health. Let’s explore the different chakras from the bottom to the top:

1. Root Chakra or Muladhara

The Root Chakra is represented by the colour Red and is located at the base of your spine, around your tailbone. It represents stability, grounding, and physical identity. It is the root that supports the tree that is your body, which is why it is also located at the root of the chakra tree. Here’s a look at how it can affect you:

• Open – When Muladhara is open and aligned, the person is grounded, confident, and can handle difficult challenges effectively. They can stand on their feet and feel like they have a solid foundation. When the Root Chakra is open, it can help you gain confidence, work towards financial security, and stand on your own. 
• Blocked – When Muladhara is blocked or misaligned, you can feel unsteady and discomposed. The unstable feeling can be related to physical issues like constipation, arthritis, bladder issues, and colon problems. On the emotional front, you will feel insecure, face financial uncertainty, and have difficulty securing your basic well-being. Your root and foundation will be unsteady. 

With root chakra healing, you may feel more grounded, steady, and comfortable in your situation in life. A steady foundation will support you and make all other concerns or responsibilities easier to deal with. The Virabhadrasana I or Warrior I pose can help unblock this particular chakra. 

2. Sacral Chakra or Swadhisthana

The Sacral Chakra is located just above the Root Chakra, just around two inches below the navel and a little above the pubic bone. It is denoted by the colour orange and is often associated with the element of water. Given its location, its influence won’t surprise you. This chakra is often associated with sexuality, pleasure, abundance, indulgence, and creativity. Here’s a look at what this symbol in the chakras chart can do:

• Open – When the Swadhisthana chakra is open with energy flowing freely through it, you are more connected with your emotions and can easily connect with others emotionally as well. You are more confident in your sexuality and sexual activity, and find taking and giving pleasure easily. You’re also more creative and willing to explore passion projects. 
• Closed – When this chakra is closed or blocked, you will experience physical symptoms like lower back pain, urinary tract infections, impotency, and issues related to the organs located in this general area. Emotionally, the chakra influences your self-esteem and self-worth, especially around sexuality, attractiveness, pleasure, and creativity. 

This chakra is said to develop when a person is around 8-14 years, so around the time of puberty in most people. Unblocking it can help you develop better sexual health, creativity, and confidence. The Baddha Konasana or Bound Angle yoga pose can help unblock this chakra. 

3. Solar Plexus Chakra or Manipura 

The Solar Plexus Chakra or Manipura is located in your upper abdomen area, a few inches above the Sacral Chakra. It is represented by the colour Yellow and is often associated with the element of fire. This chakra influences your self-esteem, self-worthiness, and overall confidence. Unlike the Swadhisthana chakra, this chakra isn’t associated with any sort of sexual or attractiveness component. Let’s look at the Manipura chakra meanings:

• Open – When the Manipura chakra is open, you feel settled and confident. You have a healthy level of self-esteem that is under good regulation. You are also more comfortable expressing and sharing your true self because you’re not ashamed of who or what you are. 
• Closed – If this chakra is blocked or closed, you may feel crippling self-doubt and feelings of worthlessness. You may be unwilling to share your thoughts and true self with others because you may be ashamed of who and what you are. On a physical level, blocked Manipura chakra can be the cause of digestive issues, eating disorders, heartburn, and indigestion.

If you’re struggling with self-worth or self-esteem issues, unblocking the Manipura chakra may help. This chakra develops when a person is around 15-21 years old. You can use the Navasana or Boat Pose to help unblock or realign this chakra. 

4. Heart Chakra or Anahata 

If the Base Chakra Muladhara is the foundation of your body and spirit, the Anahata is the foundation of your emotions and sentiments. It is the bridge between your lower and upper chakras and an important point, located right in the centre of your chest over your heart. It is associated with the colour green and the element of Air. Here’s a look at how this chakra can affect us:

• Open – When the chakra is open, you will have a great ability to give and receive love. You will be compassionate, understanding, and empathetic. You will possess a great ability to reach out and form connections with others. An open Heart Chakra helps people form stable and healthy relationships. 
• Closed – People with blocked Anahata will struggle to form connections or open up with others. They will not feel connected when they should and will experience periods of disassociation and isolation. On the physical side, you may experience heart problems, weight problems, and asthma.

Since the Heart Chakra links the three Base chakra points to the ones in the upper body, keeping it open and free-flowing is essential. Experts recommend practicing the Ustrasana or Camel Pose to help unblock or realign this chakra. 

5. Throat Chakra or Vishuddha

The Throat Chakra is located in your throat and is associated with the colour blue as well as the element of Sound. It is directly connected to the Heart Chakra and is said to develop around 29-35 years old. Vishuddha chakra’s influence is as follows:

• Open – When the chakra is open, you have full command over your speech and can convey everything that lingers in your heart with absolute clarity. People with open Throat Chakra often speak directly and truthfully, without embellishments. They also have a great ability to communicate with others and draw the attention of the entire room. 
• Closed – When someone’s throat chakra is blocked, they struggle to communicate well or express themselves. They are unable to express what they truly feel and often become trapped in misunderstandings or arguments. On a physical level, blockage in this chakra can lead to voice and throat-related problems. You may also experience mouth, gums, and teeth issues.

The throat chakra is important because it influences the expression of every point on the chakras chart. Experts recommend practicing the Matsyasana or Fish Pose to unblock this chakra point. If you struggle with any kind of communication issues, focusing on healing this chakra may help. 

6. Third-Eye Chakra or Ajna

The Ajna chakra is located on your forehead, just between your brows. It is represented by the colour indigo and the element of light. It develops during the middle age at around 36-42 years old and shows a movement towards communication with the divine spirit. Of all the chakra symbols discussed so far, this is the most metaphysical. Here’s a look at how it can affect us:

• Open – When Ajna is open and properly aligned, you are highly intuitive and able to understand the big picture. You can visualize the impact of current actions on future events, understand the consequences of steps taken, and look at information beyond that is initially apparent. An open Third-Eye chakra also means you are connected to the divine or spirituality in many ways. 
• Closed – When this chakra is closed, people are more prone to headaches, concentration problems, and hearing issues. On an emotional front, people with blocked ajna can be short-sighted and unwilling to listen to reality. They seem out-of-touch and appear to have difficulty accepting facts and changing their opinions accordingly. 

Unblocking the Third-Eye Chakra will help improve your understanding of yourself, the world around you, and the metaphysical aspects of life. Balasana or the Child’s Pose can help unblock this chakra effectively. 

7. Crown Chakra or Sahasrara

The Sahasrara or Crown Chakra is located on the top of your head and is represented by the colours violet or white. It is associated with the element of Divine Consciousness and is the most spiritual of all chakras. It is said to develop between 43 and 49 years old and most people rarely ever manage to unblock it fully. Here’s a look at some of its influences:

• Open – The crown chakra influences all chakras in human body. When open, it can help you develop a strong life purpose and connection with your spiritual self. People who have this chakra open often appear highly perceptive, intelligent, and intuitive. It is considered a chakra of enlightenment, which means these individuals also seem to find a higher purpose in life. 
• Closed – When the Crown Chakra is blocked, the individual is often narrow-minded, obstinate, and sceptical. They are locked in the confines of their own beliefs and unwilling to explore or contemplate matters of life, humanity, or spirituality. It is rare for these individuals to make any sort of intuitive leaps or understand deeper philosophical or moral concepts. On the physical side, the blocked Crown Chakra doesn’t just affect brain function and nervous system, but also all organs of the body.

The Crown Chakra requires a lot of effort and dedication to unblock, which is one of the reasons why so few people have it unblocked. A Sirsasana or Headstand can help you unblock the Crown Chakra, however, this Yoga pose should be only done by experienced practitioners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How do I know if my chakra is blocked?

A: While reading this post, if you associate with some of the symptoms mentioned, you may have a few chakras blocked. You can also consult with a chakra healer directly to find out more. 

Q. Which chakra blocks weight loss?

A: The Sacral Chakra or the Throat Chakra can both cause weight gain if they are blocked. They are often associated with blood sugar regulation, hormonal imbalance, thyroid issues, and other such problems. Unblocking these chakras may help improve your weight issues. 

Q. How many chakras are there?

A: There are seven well-known chakras and we have mentioned them here. However, some experts believe that there are around 114 chakras in total.

Hopefully, this post answers all of your basic questions regarding chakra symbols! There is much to explore in this field and the more you learn about them, the more fascinated you become. At MyTicketsToIndia, we endeavour to help the Indian diaspora remain connected with their roots and share the beauty of the Indian culture with others. We share posts that explore different Indian concepts and popular details with everyone. 

We can also help you connect with the Indian culture directly by offering cheap India flights deals from Australia. Nothing better than hands-on experience, right? 

About Heena | View Posts

A writer by both passion and profession, Heena Ganotra is "half agony, half hope" but all heart. And oh, she has been a book lover from the start! Her love for books is what convinced her to make a career in the wonderful world of words. She loves what she does and is out-and-out a satisfied soul with a wish to spread happiness and kindness in abundance. Insight- Some say she is living the best life anyone could because she reads, writes, travels, and makes merry. They’re right because what else does one really need! :)