Vishuddha Symbol – History And Meaning

The Vishuddha symbol is made up of a 16-petaled circle with a crescent bearing a circle within. It represents the throat chakra, which is the fifth of the primary chakras. It stands for communication—internal and external, as well as verbal and non-verbal. 

Certain behavioral and psychological characteristics are linked with Vishuddha or throat chakra. It is located in the neck and throat areas. According to the Hindu Yogic, Buddhist Tantric, and Shakta traditions, this chakra symbolizes one’s ability to speak out and express truth. It is said to aid in realizing one’s vocation or purpose and assuring one’s good sense of timing.

The deity associated with Vishuddha is the 4-armed and 5-headed Panchavaktra Shiva, whose shakti or female counterpart is Shakini. The throat chakra is said to be ruled by the Hindu god of creation and wisdom, Brahma.

Vishuddha Symbol – History And Meaning

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

Vishuddha 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 fifth major chakra is Vishuddha or the throat chakra. It is connected with the endocrine system. Its kshetram or activation point is found in the pit of the throat. Vishuddha is responsible for producing hormones that are necessary for maturation and growth.

The Vishuddha Symbol

The Vishuddha or throat chakra symbol signifies sound, wisdom, and consciousness. It is commonly represented in the radiant blue color, which is said to signify faith, trust, wisdom, and purification.

The crescent shape in the Vishuddha symbol is embedded in a blue circle. The crescent is inspired by the moon. It is encompassed by 16 silver or smoke-colored petals. It is the lunar symbol of pure cosmic sound, representing purity, which is a vital aspect of this particular chakra since it is associated with the purification of the body, mind, and spirit. The crescent in the throat symbol also symbolizes the element ether.

The 16 lotus petals of the Vishuddha symbol correspond with the 7 musical tones, the divine nectar called Amrith, and the Vittis of the following mantras: Aum, Shama, Hung, Phat, Washat, Swadha, Swaha, and Namak.

Visuddha’s seed mantra is the syllable HAṂ, which is inscribed in white upon the symbol. 

Vishuddha Symbol Meaning

In the Sanskrit language, Vishuddha means “especially pure” or “purest.”

Vishuddha is also known as the throat chakra, the fifth of 7 primary chakras, which is located at the region of the throat, neck, jaw, mouth, and thyroid, near the spine. 

As Vishuddha rules mentioned body parts, this chakra is linked to growth, creativity, communication, self-expression, and one’s ability to understand and express one’s personal truth.