This article gives an overview of the 7 chakras or energy centers in the body (plus an additional chakra outside the body), and it also takes the discussion one step further to ask the question: How does visualizing or seeing the chakra colors or aura colors associated with each energy center facilitate healing?
Seeing Chakra Colors
My name is Lillie, and I am a Reiki practitioner who has had extensive experience with seeing colors during meditation and energy work. Perhaps you also see chakra colors, or maybe you’re just curious about how learning about chakras in general can help healing, chakra balancing, and wellbeing. Either way, read on for useful information.
Location of the 7 Chakras
What are chakras? In the Hindu and Buddhist concept of “chakras,” the seven energy centers in our body are each associated with a color, physical location, and specific feeling and function. My illustration above attempts to show each. The move in rainbow order starting with the First Chakra (Red) at the base of the spine, and moving upward to the crown of the head for the Seventh Chakra (Violet or White).
How to Pronounce “Chakra”
Before we start learning about the meaning of each energy center, let’s first clarify how to pronounce “chakra.” The Sanskrit pronunciation is: “chuh-kruh.” The first sound is “CHU” like “Chuck,” not “SHA” like “Share.” I realized during my research for this article that I’ve been pronouncing the word incorrectly all these years!
Chakra Colors and Meanings
Now it’s time to learn about the color and meaning associated with each of the chakras in the body. Below is an elaboration, assisted by the excellent course on Insight Timer by The Wong Janice. (This background information will be essential for the upcoming theory about why we might see these healing colors while mediating.)
#1: Root Chakra – RED
The energy center of the First Chakra or Red Chakra is at the base of the spine (by the tailbone), and is about feeling safe and grounded. It is about freedom from fear, and is the foundational piece to us functioning well. (As a teacher, I immediately think of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which upon reflection, shockingly mirror the chakras.) See my article about seeing a red aura from this chakra to learn more about its meaning.
#2: Sacral Chakra – ORANGE
The Second or Orange Chakra is below the bellybutton, and is about sensuality, pleasure, and creativity. It is associated with the color orange. The Wong Janice explains that a mantra for it would be, “I am free,” because it is about being healed from guilt. See my story about the orange chakra meaning, which explains a story from a Reiki client who had a strong orange aura with a clear message about her path.
#3: Solar Plexus Chakra – YELLOW
The Third or Yellow Chakra is located above your bellybutton in the center of the torso, and this energy center is about about confidence, personal power, self-love, self-expression, and personality. The yellow chakra meaning connects with its Sanskrit name, Manipura, which correlates with the sun — like bold, bright power! The mantra for it could be “I am accepted,” as this healing color and chakra is about freedom from shame, and being happy expressing your full self.
#4: Heart Chakra – GREEN
Located in your chest center, by your heart, the Fourth or Green Chakra is about giving and receiving love. When you see a green aura, it’s associated with this fourth chakra. What’s interesting to me is that what blocks this chakra is grief. We often think of the opposite of love as being hate, but in fact it’s more sadness and fear of loss which block free heart connection.
#5: Throat Chakra – BLUE
The Fifth or Blue Chakra energy center is in your throat, and is about speaking truthfully and powerfully. This healing color is about freedom from lies, and effecting change via voice. A blue aura is often associated with someone skilled at speaking honestly and being heard.
#6: Third Eye Chakra – INDIGO
Located on the forehead, the Sixth or Indigo Chakra is about intuition. It is associated with a blue-violet-purple hue. The mantra that goes with it could be “I see clearly,” as this healing color is about freedom from illusions. When I see purple during Reiki, meditation, or other energy work, I’m still not sure if that purple aura is associated with this chakra or the next one up, so I tend to interpret a combination of the two, as I almost always witness energetic healing happening in clients when purple appears.
#7: Crown Chakra – PURPLE (sometimes WHITE)
The crown of the head is where the Seventh and White or Violet Chakra energy center sits, and it is about enlightenment, spirituality, and one’s higher purpose. The Wong Janice suggests a mantra for it could be “I surrender,” as it can be blocked by attachments, and holding too tightly to small parts of the material world. (See my exploration on seeing a white aura here.)
There are several other ways to see the chakra system beyond just seven, one of which is the 12-chakra system, which includes Chakra #8, the Soul Star Chakra (located above the head), and Chakra #0: The Earth Star Chakra, which is found several inches below the feet, and associated with seeing a black aura — actually a good thing!
Could the Colors be Chakra Healing Power?
Now that we have an overview of the chakra colors and functions, here’s the theory: Could the meditation colors we are visualizing during energy work be a specific chakra healing in a focused way? Further, could each of us have one or two dominant chakras (different for each person) which play the biggest part in helping us recenter?
For example, when I’m seeing yellow during meditation, is that the solar plexus chakra healing me by boosting confidence, personal power, and feelings of acceptance? (I’m a person with lots of self-love, so it would make sense that this is one of the chakras which most supports my revitalization during mindful practice.)
Is my friend who reported seeing blue during meditation actually receiving healing from her throat chakra, gaining strength in her powerful verbal expression? This would make sense, since she’s one of the best speakers I know in her field.
When I’m seeing red during a Reiki session, is that because the person I’m touching has very strong First (Root) Chakra energy, meaning they are grounded and free from fear?
Is the woman who wrote that she sees green during Reiki actually tapping into her heart center, and specifically gaining the power of giving and receiving love, in order to heal her grief? In our moments of mindful self-renewal, is it our strongest chakra which comes to the rescue to heal us?
Chakra Colors VIDEO:
An Alternate Theory: Crown Chakra Colors
While the chakra healing colors theory I just laid out makes some sense, the vast majority of people seem to see just purple and yellow, as evidenced from the hundreds of people who wrote in to the comments section on that first article I created about it. So, why are those colors so predominant? A possible solution lies in this fact: the crown chakra is not just associated with purple… it’s also sometimes seen as white or gold! (Yes, yellow might not mean the third chakra, but rather, the seventh.)
Given this, when this group of us is spontaneously visualizing purple and gold, we might actually be tapping into the healing power of our 7th chakra: Sahasrara, the “bridge to the cosmos.” It stands to reason that the liminal space of meditation or energy work connect us to this chakra of enlightenment, spirituality, and higher wisdom. This could be why my Reiki clients (and I) feel so much better after several minutes of energy work where we’re seeing these chakra colors.
Are You Around Boston?
If you’re around Boston, Massachusetts, I run a Reiki healing touch studio, and I’m so curious to try a session with other people who see colors during bodywork like I do! If that’s you, do reach out.
What Do YOU Make of Chakra Colors, Meanings, and Healing?
It has been an endless joy to get all of your messages about your experience with seeing colors and meditation, and I’m so curious to hear your new thoughts and experiences around how you think chakra colors and meanings might relate. Does the color you see (and the possible healing effect you experience) correlate with a specific energy center described? Do share!
Chakra Colors
Each of the 7 chakras on the body is associated with a color of the rainbow, and a meaning. Learn what each of the chakra colors connects with, and how to facilitate and interpret healing for seeing and connecting with each.
Seeing Colors During Meditation: Purple and More
This was the wildly popular article about seeing purple and yellow during meditation which has spurred people to write in from around the world that they experience the same thing, and that they are also exploring its meaning! Join the conversation here.
Seeing Red Chakra Energy
As I've started my own Reiki studio, it's been interesting to encounter clients who come in with red energy, which is correlated with the First, Root Chakra, and associated with fear versus safety. Learn more about this foundational, grounding energy center here.
Seeing Orange Chakra Energy
Hear a surprising story that reveals the meaning and importance of the Second or Sacral Chakra, which is located just below the navel, and is associated with creativity and sensuality.
Yellow Chakra Meaning
The yellow chakra is the third energy center in the body, located just above the navel. It is associated with confidence, self-expression, and powerfully moving forward.
Green Aura Chakra Energy
The 4th or Heart Chakra energy is seen as green, and is located around the upper chest (heart region!). It is associated with compassionate and caring love. Click through here to read a story about how seeing a green aura changed my life!
Blue Aura and Chakra
The 5th or blue chakra, located around the throat, is associated with speaking one's truth effectively and powerfully. This article explains the pattern I've seen in clients who have a blue aura -- and its possible meaning.
Purple Aura and Chakras:
There are two possible chakras associated with a purple aura, meaning it can signify several things. Most often, the purple chakra is seen as the 6th or Third Eye Chakra, which is connected with insight and clarity.
Seeing White Aura and Chakra Energy
At the very top of the chakras is the 7th, Crown Chakra, which is associated with both white and violet purple light, and connected with universal energy. Learn how to interpret seeing white light here.
Seeing Black Aura Energy
Though seeing a black aura or the color black is concerning to some, and doesn't seem to fit into the chakra colors diagram, seeing this color is actually very exciting and important. See why in this post.
Earth Star Chakra
My investigation of seeing the color black during reiki led me to explore the other chakra systems beyond the traditional seven, including Chakra Zero: Earth Star Chakra! Learn more about it here.
The author and artist, Lillie Marshall, is a National Board Certified Teacher of English who has been a public school educator since 2003, and an experienced Reiki practitioner since 2018. All art on this site is original and hand-drawn by Lillie. She launched DrawingsOf.com Educational Cartoons in 2020, building upon the success of her other sites, AroundTheWorldL.com (established 2009), TeachingTraveling.com (founded 2010), and ReikiColors.com. Subscribe to Lillie’s monthly newsletter, and follow @WorldLillie on social media to stay connected!
Chrys
Tuesday 19th of April 2022
Today I received a massage, as they're working over my whole body, I could see almost every color on the spectrum. I was also seeing images trees, giant bugs, dragons, faeries, and more. I see colors and images when ever I get massages except when my energy is blocked. What could it mean when you see both color and images?
Lillie Marshall
Wednesday 20th of April 2022
Thank you for sharing your experience, Chrys, and you're not alone! Images are often visible along with colors during meditation and bodywork, and I'd encourage you to interpret them as you would dreams: they are your subconscious mind relaxing and being open to messages from your inner knowing as well as universal energy. From the image descriptions you've shared, it strikes me as you being in a time of growth and magical possibility, almost like a new quest in your life, as with a fairy tale. I'm curious what your interpretation is. Keep up your good work!
Amanda
Thursday 24th of February 2022
Good evening! I came across several of your articles when searching for the meanings of colors during meditation (in my first attempt at having a past life regression). My therapist kept asking me to picture a staircase and I couldn’t. My ‘vision’ was taken up with vast swirling purple and sparkling gold! I could not for the life of me picture any staircase no matter how hard I tried! So I read here about the purple and yellow, but the super sparkly bright gold color has me a bit puzzled. If it helps, they started off as statues similar to Inca or Aztec or Mayan, marching across the deep dark purple background, and they morphed into a liquid version of super sparkly gold, and just sort of swirled around. Any insights? I wanted so badly to go back to watch that beautiful show!
Lillie Marshall
Saturday 26th of February 2022
What beautiful and moving images! Thank you for taking the time to share them. Sparkling gold might correlate with the Soul Star Chakra (the 8th Chakra, located above the head) -- a topic I'm still in the process of researching and writing about. Let's keep investigating!
Sophie
Monday 7th of February 2022
Hi! Thank you so much for your article. I've been going to acupuncture for a few weeks now and I keep seeing a very vibrant blue—almost an aqua color. I actually have had issues with my thyroid for some time now and part of the reason I go to acupuncture is to help my throat chakra. Thank you for this clarification <3
Lillie Marshall
Monday 7th of February 2022
How amazing! The acupuncture is working exactly as desired! Thank you for taking the time to share, and wishing you best of luck.
Ale
Saturday 8th of January 2022
Hello,I had a Chakra balancing the last day of the year to start my year balanced,and when we were almost done, she placed a singing bowl on me and vibrations and sounds were loud and nice and Behind my close eyes I kept seeing figures/spots opening and closing color purple. She mentioned it made sense but didn’t explain why but she did say my third eye and crown chakra were open already before the session. Care to add some thoughts about my color experience pls,I’m trying to figure more out :) blessed year
Lillie Marshall
Saturday 8th of January 2022
Hi Ale, Thanks for taking the time to share your experience! If you click through to https://drawingsof.com/seeing-colors-during-meditation-purple/ there are lots me thoughts on this, but overall I'd summarize it as connection to universal energy, and a specific vibration of relaxation in your brain. It's a good thing!
Soheila Hakimi
Tuesday 30th of March 2021
I see white! Does that mean I'm healing and will be finding my higher purpose?
Lillie Marshall
Tuesday 30th of March 2021
I also sometimes see white (often sparkly) during energy work and think you're right that it's correlated with the crown chakra.