Manipura Symbol – History And Meaning

Manipura or the solar plexus chakra is the third primary chakra in the Vedic tradition. 

The Manipura symbol is made up of ten petals bearing the Sanskrit letters pha, pa, na, dha, da, tha, ta, nna, ddha, and dda. Its seed sound is the RAM as seen in the middle of the symbol within a bright yellow circle. 

The inverted red triangle in this symbol signifies the fire tattva or the element of fire, which is associated with this particular chakra. It is believed that fire purifies all karmas, resulting in the awakening or unfolding of pure consciousness.

The Manipura chakra is said to control personal freedom, self-confidence, and authenticity, as well as our sense of self and self-control.

Manipura Symbol – History And Meaning

If you want to learn more about the Manipura symbol, read on to find out the meaning, history, and significance of this Buddhist and Hindu symbol.

Manipura Symbol History

The chakra system originated in India between 1500 and 500 BC, first appearing in the Hindu Vedas, considered to be the oldest religious texts.

However, this was not exactly in the sense of the so-called “psychoenergetic centers” but as chakravartin. The chakravartin in this sense was the king who “turns the wheel of his empire” in every direction from the center, denoting the monarch’s power and influence. Later proofs of chakras appear in the Upanishads. 

The images and symbols that are popularly used to represent the Chakras are believed to trace back to the 5 symbols of yagna. These symbols used in yagna, a Vedic ritual performed in front of a sacred fire, are “square, circle, triangle, half moon, and dumpling.”

The knowledge of the chakra system is said to be passed down through oral traditions by the Aryan people. This system was customarily an Eastern philosophy, but New Age authors started to relate with the concept and wrote about the chakras. They expanded on the earlier texts, giving more people access to the knowledge of this ancient system.

In the 8th century CE, the psychic-energy chakra theories were introduced in Buddhist texts as “hierarchies of inner energy centers.”  Only four chakras appear in these texts. In later Hindu texts, the list of chakras was expanded to a lot more.

The chakra system has always been interlaced with yoga since the very beginning. But what exactly is a chakra?

The term “chakra” is from the Sanskrit cakra. which means “mystical circle” or “vortex” or “spinning wheel.” Chakra and cakra are pronounced the same way, the former being generally used in the West. Chakra refers to psychic energy centers in the lingadeha or the ethereal body. 

The chakra system is prominent in the occult physiological practices of Tantric Buddhism and some certain forms of Hinduism. A chakra is a wheel of energy that runs along a person’s spine and inside the skull. 

Although some claim there are as many as 114 chakras all over the body, it is generally believed that there are 7 primary chakras. These are the Muladhara (root chakra), Swadhisthana (sacral chakra), Manipura (solar plexus chakra), Anahata (heart chakra), Vishuddha (throat chakra), Ajna (third-eye chakra), and Sahasrara (crown chakra). The chakras’ health has direct links to our physical as well as mental and emotional health.

The third chakra is Manipura, also called the solar plexus chakra. Its activation point or kshetram is located on the spinal column, above the part level with the umbilicus or navel. It is believed to govern metabolism and digestion.

The Manipura Symbol

Manipura is the solar plexus chakra, one of our deepest energy centers. 

The ten black or dark blue petals in the Manipura symbol are emblazoned with the Sanskrit letters pha, pa, na, dha, da, tha, ta, nna, ddha, and dda. Respectively, these letters represent unhappiness, foolishness, delusion, disgust, fear, shame, deception, jealousy, ambition, and spiritual ignorance.

Manipura’s corresponding mantra or seed sound is the RAM, written on the center of the symbol. 

The inverted red triangle within a bright yellow circle in the Manipura symbol bears a T-shaped arm coming from the center.

Manipura is commonly associated with the colors blue and yellow in classical tantra. It represents energy, as well as the fire which equates symbolically with the power of transformation or purification. 

Manipura Symbol Meaning

“Manipura” is a Sanskrit word which is roughly translated as “city of jewels.” It also translates to “lustrous gem” or “resplendent  gem.” 

Manipura is the solar plexus chakra, the third of 7 major chakras. It is connected with the pancreas, as well as the adrenal cortex which creates hormones responsible for digestion and metabolism. 

The Manipura chakra, found in the upper belly button at the diaphragm, acts as the marrow of personal power. 

The symbol’s lotus flower or padma shape signifies life, rebirth, and spiritual awakening.