Chakras and Organs of the Body
Each of the organs in the human body are associated with one or more of the seven major chakras or energy centers. This connection gives keys to creating optimal health on both energetic and physical levels. The chakras and their corresponding organs can be stimulated and balanced through the use of mantras, acupuncture, meditation, visualization, herbs, yoga practice and other forms of exercise.
There are also sounds and musical instruments that resonate with each chakra. More information can be found in Chakra Sounds. There are also healing stones and crystals that connect to each chakra. See Chakra Stones and Meanings.
Root Chakra and Associated Organs
The root chakra governs the lower part of the body, including the legs, hips, lower back and lower spine. These areas of the body establish balance and stability. These are the organs and systems that provide a strong foundation for physical health and a platform for our presence in the world.
The root chakra is the place where we process and transform energy, thoughts and experiences related to security, safety and personal and ancestral history. The root chakra is connected to the earth and helps with grounding in your environment.
Root chakra affirmations emphasize the bounty of the universe and the provision of basic needs such as food, shelter and community. The physical organs and systems associated with the base chakra include:
- feet
- knees
- large intestines
- the pelvis
- skeletal system
- muscular system
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Article on the Root Chakra covering symbolism, chakra sounds, essential oils, healing stones and deities associated with this chakra.
Sacral Chakra and Related Organs
Sacral chakra meaning is focused on relationships. This includes one’s relationship with oneself as well as others. The sacral chakra is known in Sanskrit as Svadhishthana, meaning literally “one’s own place.”
The sacral chakra is the realm of communication, exchange and finances. If this energy is used improperly, addiction to sex or gambling can result. As the center of reproductive ability, the sacral chakra is also the seat of artistic creation. Sometimes the sacral chakra is called the seat of the soul.
The sacral chakra is also the seat of creation, sometimes called the seat of the soul. The organs associated with the sacral chakra include the following:
- reproductive organs
- lower back
- large intestines
- hips
- kidneys
- bladder
Author’s Personal Story: My own greatest awareness of the sacral chakra was during my first pregnancy. When I got married in my late twenties, I was not sure that I could have children at all. By the time I was thirty, I had been trying to get pregnant for three years.
I had gone through multiple types of fertility treatments. They were painful, inconvenient, expensive and unfruitful. Yet I had wanted a large family from early childhood. I was struggling with the heartache of thinking that the reality of a family might never come to pass. Still, my body was not responding well. I stopped pursuing the various treatments.
One morning a few months later, I was at work and suddenly felt such a tremendous joy, so distinct and remarkable that I called my husband to say, “I don’t know what just happened, but I feel incredibly happy!”
I didn’t connect it at that moment to conceiving a child since conception often takes place one to two days after intimate relations. I remembered that deep sense of joy about ten days later when I found out that I was indeed pregnant.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Article on the Sacral Chakra covering symbolism, chakra sounds, essential oils, healing stones and deities associated with this chakra.
Solar Plexus Chakra and Digestive Organs
The solar plexus chakra governs the power of transformation and assimilation. The solar plexus chakra is the center of digestion of food on the physical level as well as the digestion of thoughts and emotions on the mental and emotional levels. The solar plexus is the fire center, often symbolized by the colors yellow or red and a sun-like image.
The solar plexus is the center of gut-level intuition. In the physical realm, the solar plexus is associated with the following organs:
- pancreas
- liver
- large intestines
- stomach
- adrenals
Author’s Personal Story: I learned the importance of listening to my gut at a point in my life when I was collaborating with someone on a large creative project.
My partner in the project appeared to have a commitment as deep as mine. I was excited and joyful about the project. Yet I simultaneously had a growing sense of anxiety at the core of my being. My heart and gut were clearly in conflict.
Sure enough, my associate suddenly and inexplicably changed directions. Communication stopped. My attempts to reach out were rebuffed. My investment of time, money and emotional energy were lost. I had to forge a new path forward alone.
I had never experienced such a deep division within my own being: heart-felt enthusiasm combined with deep gut-level concern and warning. However, the next time I decided I would listen to my gut!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Article on the Solar Plexus Chakra covering symbolism, chakra sounds, essential oils, healing stones and deities associated with this chakra.
Heart Chakra and Organs of Circulation
In the spiritual dimension, many traditions believe that the spark of life resides is an inner chamber associated with the heart. In the Western religious tradition, this inner chamber is called the inner castle or secret chamber of the heart.
The spark is sometimes referred to as the three fold flame. This flame represents power (blue), wisdom (yellow) and love (pink). The fleur-de-lis is a symbol representing this three-in-one idea. Learn more about this symbol in the article Iris Flower Meaning: The Symbolic Trinity.
In the Eastern tradition, this inner heart is referred to as Brahma’s Cave. Again, this is a place where an eternal spark resides, unmoved by outer events. The ability to retreat into the inner chamber of the heart may be a critical skill in the fast-paced modern world.
Traditions around the world place great importance on the significance of the heart. Many believe the heart has emotional significance as well as spiritual meaning. The physical organs associated with the heart chakra are the following:
- the heart itself
- circulatory system
- lungs
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Article on the Heart Chakra covering symbolism, chakra sounds, essential oils, healing stones and deities associated with this chakra.
Throat Chakra and Related Organs
There is a legend that goes as follows: when the human body was being created, God was trying to figure out where to hide the power center so that His creations would not misuse this fundamental energy. So He hid the power center in plain sight in the throat.
In this place we would qualify this fundamental energy for blessing or bane with every word spoken. Thus, the throat is the place of greatest vulnerability and greatest strength. The physical organs associated with the throat chakra are the following:
- thyroid gland
- parathyroid glands
- tonsils
- vocal chords
- esophagus
- trachea
- larynx
- epiglottis
Third Eye Chakra and Sensory Organs
The pineal gland is the organ associated with the third eye chakra that receives the most attention. The name pineal comes from the Latin pinea or pinus, meaning pine cone.
Representations of the pineal gland are used symbolically in art of the Sumerians, Egyptians, Indonesians, Greeks, Romans and Babylonians. Some traditions say that the soul enters and leaves the physical body at birth and death through the pineal gland.
In most people, the degeneration of the pineal gland begins at the age of six or seven and continues until puberty. Some sources believe this is why children over the age of six or seven have a diminished ability to sense the spiritual world. They may no longer have “invisible playmates” or remember what happened “before they were born.”
The interior of the pineal body contains follicles surrounded by connective tissue. The follicles consist of epithelial cells and calcareous deposits. In some reptiles the pineal gland serves as a light receptor. This connection may account for the serpent extended symbolically out of the forehead in the headdress of many Egyptian statues.
There are several organs associated with the third eye chakra. These organs are all associated with bringing in sensation for interpretation by the brain. These organs include the following:
- eyes
- ears
- brain
- pituitary gland
- endocrine system
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Article on the Third Eye Chakra covering symbolism, chakra sounds, essential oils, healing stones and deities associated with this chakra.
Crown Chakra and the Nervous System
The crown chakra is revered as the seat of enlightenment. This chakra is the thousand petaled lotus of wisdom in its myriad forms. There is some overlap between the organs associated with the third eye chakra and those associated with the crown chakra. On the physical level, the crown is related to the following organs:
- brain
- nervous system
- hair, skin and nails
- hypothalamus
- pineal and pituitary glands
The hair, skin and nails are sensory organs as well as protective organs. There are also people who believe that human hair is an extension of the nervous system. This is true in other species. Many mammals have whiskers that give them additional information about their environments. Hair also has cultural significance around the world.
The brain has long been viewed as the seat of learning and intelligence. Studies now show that the brain retains elasticity far better than previously thought. Lifelong learning and exercise help to keep the brain functioning at an optimal level into the final decades of life.
The energy of the crown chakra is usually represented as yellow or white. This is indicated in the halos around the heads of saints in Western iconography. In the east, the lotus is a revered symbol for the gentle opening of consciousness, petal by petal.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Article on the Crown Chakra covering symbolism, chakra sounds, essential oils, healing stones and deities associated with this chakra.
Author Kathleen Karlsen
Kathleen Karlsen is a musician, artist, writer and speaker. She is the author of two books (Flower Symbols and Vocal Medicine) and over 200 articles. Kathleen, her husband Andrew and their five children live in Bozeman, Montana. More about Kathleen Karlsen.
CHAKRA AND ORGANS ARTICLE SUMMARY
This article covers the major organs associated with each of the seven chakras. The systems that correlate with each are delineated. The discussion of chakras and organs includes the human anatomy associated with elimination, reproduction, assimilation, circulation, communication, sensation and the nervous system. Links are given to additional resources for each of the chakras.