The Seven Chakras Explained and the Crystals Traditionally Associated with Each

You will often hear the phrase these crystals help align the Chakras. While this idea is widely shared within spiritual communities, the deeper meaning behind Chakras is not always clearly explained. What are Chakras, where does this belief system come from and how are crystals traditionally connected to them?

The Chakra system originates from ancient spiritual traditions and describes a series of energy centres that run along the spine. These centres are symbolically linked to different aspects of human experience including grounding creativity confidence compassion communication intuition and awareness.

The word Chakra comes from Sanskrit and translates as wheel or circle. In traditional teachings Chakras are described as spinning centres of energy that influence how we experience ourselves emotionally mentally and spiritually.

Although interpretations vary between cultures, the most widely used model today is the seven Chakra system, which forms the foundation of many modern meditation and crystal based practices.

A brief history of the Chakra system 

Archaeological evidence suggests that meditation practices existed in ancient India as early as 5000 BCE. The earliest written references appear in the Vedas, sacred texts dating back to around 1500 BCE. In these texts the word Chakra was originally used symbolically to represent power movement and influence rather than energy centres.

The exact date when the term Chakra came into existence with the same meaning as we know it today, isn’t known precisely. But around 200BCE the Upanishads mentioned Chakras and Mantras in tantric concepts.  And in the 10^th century, Guru Goraknath started to teach about the powers and energies of meditating on the Chakras. The various Eastern cultures often differ in their beliefs and the meaning of Chakras and even disagree on how many Chakras there are in general.

Teachings evolved over centuries through yogic and tantric traditions, with different schools recognising varying numbers of Chakras. The seven Chakra model became widely adopted in the West during the 20th century, particularly after the publication of colour based Chakra interpretations in the 1970s.

Today Chakras are commonly explored through meditation movement breathwork sound and tools such as crystals.

What does energy mean in Chakra practices?

In Chakra philosophy energy is not defined in scientific terms. Instead it refers to awareness presence intention and the subtle experience of being connected to the body and mind.

Practices such as meditation yoga and mindfulness focus on observing how attention moves through the body and how emotional states shift with awareness. Crystals are often used as visual and tactile symbols to support focus during these practices.

The concept of a blocked Chakra is traditionally used to describe areas of emotional resistance stagnation or imbalance rather than physical conditions. Chakra work is therefore best understood as reflective and exploratory rather than corrective.

The Seven Main Chakras and Their Traditionally Associated Crystals

Below is an overview of the seven Chakras starting from the base of the spine and moving upward. Each section includes crystals traditionally associated with that Chakra based on colour symbolism mineral structure and historical use.

Root Chakra - Muladhara

The first Chakra we will talk about is your Root Chakra which is located at the base of the spine around the pelvic plexus and is traditionally associated with grounding stability and a sense of safety.

The Sanskrit name for the Root Chakra is Muladhara meaning ‘base or root support’ and is associated with the colour red. The symbol for the Root Chakra is a downward pointing triangle and a circle with four petals. The symbolism stands for your spirit connecting with the earth.

Crystals traditionally associated with the Root Chakra: 

• Black Tourmaline
  

• Smokey Quartz

• Hematite

• Shungite

• Red Jasper

These stones are often chosen for grounding meditation practices and intention setting focused on stability and presence.

Check out our Root Chakra Crystal set to balance your foundation.

View our Root Chakra Crystal Collection.

Sacral Chakra - Svadhisthana

The second Chakra, the Sacral Chakra is located at the centre of your lower belly, roughly three inches down from the navel and is traditionally linked to creativity emotional flow and adaptability.

The Sanskrit name is Svadhisthana meaning ‘your own place’, this is your sacred area. It is represented by the colour orange and associated with the element of water. The symbol of the Sacral Chakra is a moon crescent and a circle with six petals which represent the relationship between the tides of water and the phases of the moon.

Crystals traditionally associated with the Sacral Chakra: 

• Golden Healer Quartz

• Carnelian

• Black Obsidian

• Arfvedsonite

• Amber

These stones are often used during reflective practices focused on creativity relationships and emotional awareness.

We have curated this Sacral Chakra Set to help balance your creative centre.

View our entire Sacral Chakra collection here

Solar Plexus Chakra - Manipura

The third Chakra, the Solar Plexus, is based around the diaphragm area and symbolises personal power confidence and self direction.

The Sanskrit name is Manipura meaning ‘city of jewels’. When the Solar Plexus Chakra is open, your inner-strength or ‘your crown jewels’ are strong, and you feel you can handle the world. The colour associated with it is yellow and the symbol is of a downward triangle and a circle with ten petals. It represents the fire element which represents your transformative energy and power.

Crystals traditionally associated with the Solar Plexus Chakra: 

• Pyrite

• Hematoid Quartz

• Yellow Aventurine
  

• Imperial Topaz

• Libyan Desert Glass

These stones are commonly used in intention setting related to confidence clarity and motivation.

This Solar Plexus Set is perfect to balance your city of jewels.

Heart Chakra – Anahata

The fourth Chakra, the Ηeart Chakra is based in the centre of the chest. This energy centre is not located where the organ, the heart, lies. Τhe Heart Chakra is the centre of the chest area. The Heart Chakra represents the centre of self-love, love for others, acceptance, and compassion.

The Sanskrit name for the Heart Chakra is Anahata, meaning ‘unstruck’. The symbol has intersecting triangles forming a hexagram, twelve petals and is the colour green. The Heart Chakra symbol represents the air element and balance between the opposites such as dark and light, male and female.

Crystals traditionally associated with the Heart Chakra: 

• Malachite

• Mangano Calcite

• Pink Amethyst

• Pink Moonstone

• Rhodochrosite

These stones are often chosen for meditation focused on openness emotional balance and connection.

This Heart Chakra crystal set  is curated for working with this energy.

Shop our Heart Chakra Crystal Set Here

Throat Chakra – Vishudda

The fifth Chakra, the Throat Chakra is based around the throat area and is the centre of communication and expression.

The Sanskrit name for the Throat Chakra is ‘Vishudda’, meaning ‘purification’. The symbol has sixteen petals with a crescent shaped moon, it is inspired by purification and in order to achieve the highest goal, enlightenment, the throat Chakra must be open as this represents the purest act.

Crystals traditionally associated with the Throat Chakra: 

• Sodalite

• Lapis Lazuli

• Smithsonite

• Azurite

• Tanzanite

These stones are commonly used in practices focused on communication creativity and truth.

Our Throat Chakra set is a perfect gift for those that need help with their communication centre.

Shop our Throat Chakra Crystal Set Here

Third Eye Chakra – Ajna

The sixth Chakra, the Third Eye Chakra, is based between your eyebrows and represents intuition perception and insight. Ajna translates to to perceive.

The Sanskrit name for the Third Eye Chakra is Ajna meaning ‘perceiving’. The symbol has two elements associated with wisdom, the lotus flower, and the upside-down triangle.

Crystals traditionally associated with the Third Eye Chakra: 

• Ulexite

• White Opal

• Scolecite

• Zultanite

• Alexandrite

These stones are often used during meditation focused on awareness imagination and reflection.

 This Chakra Crystals Set is a perfect set to help balance your Third Eye.

Shop our Third Eye Crystal Collection Here

Crown Chakra - Sahasrara

The seventh Chakra, the Crown Chakra, is located on the very top of your head and just above your head, closely connected to the universe.

The Sanskrit name, Sahasrara could be translated as ‘Thousand Petals’, which are represented in the symbol as well.

Crystals traditionally associated with the Crown Chakra: 

• Charoite

• Larimar

• Amphibole Quartz

• Brookite
  

• Fluorite
  

These stones are often chosen for meditation focused on presence insight and stillness.

Our Crown Chakra Crystal set is a wonderful gift to yourself and others to open up the Crown Chakra.

See our Crown Chakra Collection Here.

Bringing it all together

The seven Chakras form a symbolic framework for understanding how awareness flows through different aspects of life. Crystals are used within this system as supportive tools for focus reflection and intention rather than as solutions or treatments.

At Tali and Loz we curate Chakra crystal collections to support learning meditation and mindful practice. Each piece is selected for its mineral character visual symbolism and traditional associations.

If you would like guidance choosing crystals for educational or personal exploration we are always happy to help.

We have curated crystal collections for you according to each Chakra, please click here to see them.

Love, Laura

Suggested Further Reading

• Best Crystals and Stones for Root Chakra
• Best Crystals and Stones for Sacral Chakra
• Best Crystals and Stones for Solar Plexus Chakra
• Best Crystals and Stones for Heart Chakra
• Best Crystals and Stones for Throat Chakra
• Best Crystals and Stones for Third Eye Chakra
• Best Crystals and Stones for Crown Chakra 
• How to Incorporate Crystals in Your Daily Life
• How to Cleanse and Recharge Crystals to Maintain their Energy