Chakras are energy centers in our body that correspond to different aspects of our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. They are often depicted as spinning wheels of light that align with the spine, from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. Each chakra has a specific color, element, sound, symbol, and function.
The word Chakra and its meanings
The word chakra comes from Sanskrit and means “wheel” or “disk”. According to ancient Hindu and Buddhist traditions, there are seven main chakras in the human body, and each one influences a different aspect of our behavior. Here is a brief overview of the seven chakras and how they affect us:
- The root chakra (Muladhara) is located at the base of the spine and is associated with the color red, the element earth, the sound LAM, and the symbol of a four-petaled lotus. It governs our sense of security, stability, survival, and belonging. When this chakra is balanced, we feel grounded, confident, safe, and supported. When this chakra is imbalanced, we may experience fear, anxiety, insecurity, greed, or anger.
- The sacral chakra (Svadhisthana) is located below the navel and is associated with the color orange, the element water, the sound VAM, and the symbol of a six-petaled lotus. It governs our creativity, sexuality, emotions, and pleasure. When this chakra is balanced, we feel passionate, creative, joyful, and sensual. When this chakra is imbalanced, we may experience guilt, shame, repression, or addiction.
- The solar plexus chakra (Manipura) is located above the navel and is associated with the color yellow, the element fire, the sound RAM, and the symbol of a ten-petaled lotus. It governs our personal power, will, self-esteem, and confidence. When this chakra is balanced, we feel empowered, assertive, confident, and motivated. When this chakra is imbalanced, we may experience anger, aggression, control, or insecurity.
- The heart chakra (Anahata) is located at the center of the chest and is associated with the color green, the element air, the sound YAM, and the symbol of a twelve-petaled lotus. It governs our love, compassion, empathy, and forgiveness. When this chakra is balanced, we feel loving, compassionate, empathetic, and forgiving. When this chakra is imbalanced, we may experience grief, resentment, jealousy, or isolation.
- The throat chakra (Vishuddha) is located at the base of the throat and is associated with the color blue, the element ether or space, the sound HAM, and the symbol of a sixteen-petaled lotus. It governs our communication, expression, and truth. When this chakra is balanced, we feel honest, expressive, clear, and authentic. When this chakra is imbalanced, we may experience lies, silence, confusion, or fear.
- The third eye chakra (Ajna) is located between the eyebrows and is associated with the color indigo or purple, the element light, the sound OM, and the symbol of a two-petaled lotus. It governs our intuition, wisdom, vision, and insight. When this chakra is balanced, we feel intuitive, wise, visionary, and insightful. When this chakra is imbalanced, we may experience illusion, delusion, confusion, or doubt.
- The crown chakra (Sahasrara) is located at the top of the head and is associated with the color white or violet, the element is thought, the sound is silence, and the symbol of a thousand-petaled lotus. It governs our connection to the divine, the source, the universe, and our higher self. When this chakra is balanced, we feel connected, enlightened, aware, and blissful. When this chakra is imbalanced, we may experience disconnection, alienation, ignorance, or depression.
Conclusion
As you can see, chakras are more than just colorful wheels of energy. They are powerful influences on our behavior and our well-being. By understanding how they work and how to balance them, we can enhance our lives in many ways.
