7 Chakras and Their Meanings - A General Guide to the Energy Centers and their Forces

Chakras are the energy stations of the body. They are placed in the astral body, accompanying the spine, beginning at its base and going upwards to the summit of the head. The astral body is the energy body lodging inside our physical body. Each physical body part has a similar astral body part. The astral body cannot be perceived or felt. This is also a reason why we cannot see the chakras.

The chakras emit a particular colour and energy, and each one harmonises with a gland in the physical body. Since every chakra correlates to specific refined, sensitive, emotional, and physical features of our being, it is understood that their blockage or defect can lead to physical, subconscious and nervous disorders. The keen perception and balancing of these energy centres, on the other hand, is assumed to guide well-being and choice of health.

The shape of a chakra

There are various myths about the shape of the chakras. Some say they are like spinning plates, while others assume they are like clusters hovering from the spike. All certain kinds of designs exist simply because the chakras cannot be viewed by the eyes or by any equipment. So, we serve to assume whatever becomes ordinarily circulated.

The antiquated scriptures say that a chakra is shaped like a globule or a ball. And it is also considered that planet earth is a primary chakra of the solar system and a secondary chakra of our galaxy, the Milky Way. It revolves around allocating some energy, but knowing about this persists beyond the range of human ingenuity.

The history of chakras

Chakras have lately become more well-known, with the growth in prevalence of yoga and New Age beliefs in common. They are a complex and ancient energy practice that arose in India. They were first mentioned in the Vedas, ancient sacred manuscripts of spiritual information dating from 1500 to 1000 BC.

So what should you know about the chakras? Here is a brief crash course.

Muladhara Chakra – Root Chakra

Colour – Red; Element – Earth

The Muladhara Chakra is positioned at the foot of the spine, between the anus and the genitals. It is defined by the sentiments of endurance, determination, passion, and self-sufficiency. When this chakra is out of stability, a person begins feeling uncertain, lacks energy, lacks persistence, nervousness, uneasy and frustrated. However, when the root chakra is stable, these are replaced by more concrete emotions, and you feel constant, convinced, balanced, dynamic, self-supporting, and powerful.

The seed mantra (beej mantra) of Muladhara Chakra is ‘Lam’.

• Location: Base of spine, in tailbone area

• What it controls: Survival issues such as financial independence, money, and food

• Mantra: "I can't grow from an unsteady foundation."

• Colour: Red

• Element: Earth

• Stone: Hematite

• Yoga pose: Warrior I

• When it develops: 1-7 years old

Svadhishthana Chakra – Sacral Chakra

Color – Orange; Element – Water

The Svadhishthana Chakra is placed in the lower abdomen, about four fingers beneath the navel. Its characteristics involve the basic need for sensuality, as well as creativity and self-worth. When the sacral chakra is imbalanced, a soul may feel emotionally unstable and sensitive, sense a loss of strength and creativity, feel manipulative, or be preoccupied with generative thoughts. When stable, it makes one feel more energetic, cheerful, convinced, satisfied, sympathetic, and instinctive.

The seed mantra (beej mantra) of Svadhishthana Chakra is ‘Vam’.

• Location: Lower abdomen, about 2 inches below the navel

• What it controls: Your sense of abundance, well-being, pleasure, and sexuality

• Mantra: "I always honour others but not before myself."

• Colour: Orange

• Element: Water

• Stone: Tiger's Eye

• Yoga pose: Bound Angle Pose

• When it develops: 8-14 years old

Manipura Chakra – Solar Plexus Chakra

Colour – Yellow; Element – Fire

The Manipura Chakra is positioned at the solar plexus, among the navel and the bottom of the rib cage. It is defined by emotions like ego, anger, and aggression. An imbalance of the solar plexus chakra can manifest physically as digestive problems, liver problems, or diabetes. On an emotional level, one might struggle with depression, lack of self-esteem, anger, and perfectionism. By balancing this chakra, we feel more energetic, confident, productive, and focussed.

The seed mantra (beej mantra) of Manipura Chakra is ‘Ram’.

• Location: Upper abdomen in the stomach area

• What it controls: Self-worth, self-confidence, and self-esteem

• Mantra: "Self-love starts when I accept all parts of myself."

• Colour: Yellow

• Element: Fire

• Stone: Amber

• Yoga pose: Boat Pose

• When it develops: 15-21 years old

Anahata Chakra – Heart Chakra

Colour – Green; Element – Air

As the title suggests, the Anahata Chakra is located in the heart area. This chakra is the chair of balance, and it is defined by sensations of love, affection, empathy, trust, and emotion. When the heart chakra is imbalanced, a person may deal with emotional issues like irritation, lack of trust, anxiety, resentment, fear, and moodiness. By blending this energy centre, a person begins to feel more tender, caring, optimistic, favourable, and motivated.

The seed mantra (beej mantra) of Anahata Chakra is ‘Yam’.

• Location: Center of the chest, just above the heart

• What it controls: Love, joy, and inner peace

• Mantra: "When I love myself, loving others comes easily."

• Colour: Green

• Element: Air

• Stone: Rose Quartz

• Yoga pose: Camel Pose

• When it develops: 21-28 years old

Vishuddha Chakra – Throat Chakra

Colour – Blue; Element – Space

The Visuddha Chakra is located at the base of the throat, coinciding with the thyroid gland. It is associated with inspiration, healthy expression, faith, and the ability to communicate well. A blockage in the throat chakra may be experienced as timidity, quietness, a feeling of weakness, or the inability to express our thoughts. When this chakra is balanced, it enables creativity, positive self-expression, constructive communication, and a sense of satisfaction.

The seed mantra (beej mantra) of Vishuddha Chakra is ‘Ham’.

• Location: Throat

• What it controls: Communication, self-expression, and truth

• Mantra: "I speak my truth, always."

• Colour: Light Blue/Turquoise

• Element: Sound/Music

• Stone: Aquamarine

• Yoga pose: Fish Pose

• When it develops: 29-35 years old

Ajna Chakra – Third Eye Chakra

Colour – Indigo; Element – None

The Ajna Chakra (pronounced as ‘Agya Chakra’) is placed between the eyebrows. Also known as the Third Eye Chakra, it is often used as a focal point during asana practice to develop more attention and knowledge. It is said that considering this chakra destroys the karma of past lives and brings deliverance and intuitive knowledge.

Its qualities are facts, intuition, penetration, and self-knowledge. When imbalanced, it may compose you feel non-assertive and afraid of success, or on the converse, it can make you more egoistical. An irregularity can reveal physical problems like difficulties, blurry vision, and eye strain. When this chakra is active and steady, a character feels more energetic and certain, both spiritually and emotionally. In the absence of the fear of destruction, one becomes his own master and remains free of all attachment to material things.

The seed mantra (beej mantra) of Ajna Chakra is ‘Om’.

• Location: Forehead between the eyes (also called the Brow Chakra)

• What it controls: Intuition, imagination, and wisdom

• Mantra: "I am open to exploring what cannot be seen."

• Colour: Dark Blue/Purple

• Element: Light

• Stone: Amethyst

• Yoga pose: Child's Pose

• When it develops: 36-42 years old

Sahastrara Chakra – Crown Chakra

Colour – Violet/White; Element – None

The Sahastrara Chakra is positioned at the crown of the head. The seventh chakra is the centre of piousness, enlightenment, and dynamic thought and energy. It concedes for the internal flow of wisdom and brings the gift of cosmic consciousness. When it gets imbalanced, one might experience a persistent sense of disappointment, melancholy and adverse feelings.

The seed mantra (beej mantra) of Sahastrara Chakra is ‘Aum’.

• Location: The very top of the head

• What it controls: Inner and outer beauty, spiritual connection

• Lesson: "I am a vessel for love and light."

• Colour: Violet/White

• Element: Divine Consciousness

• Stone: Clear quartz

• Yoga pose: Headstand

• When it develops: 43-49 years old