The Root Chakra

Its Colors, Symbols, Meanings, Glands, & More!

The 1st Chakra – Base/Root Chakra – Muladhara – लँ

The official name of this chakra, Muladhara, comes from the words Mula, which means root and Dhara, which means support. This is considered the first chakra, located at the base of the spine. Its color correspondences are red and brown. The Root Chakra resonates with groundedness, stability, and security. This is the chakra to focus on in meditation if you are feeling afraid or unsafe. If you are too stuck in your ways, unwilling to accept change or transition, your Root Chakra may be overactive. This chakra influences the male reproductive system, rectum, elimination, kidneys, adrenals, and lower spine.

• Color: Red and Brown (Our various mental states and emotions are related to specific Chakra color frequencies. Red is dense frequency.)
• Location: Base of the Spine/Tail Bone (Coccyx, first three vertebrae at the base of the spine)
• Mantra: "I can't grow from an unsteady foundation."
• Element: Earth (Earth is our mother, our body is formed from her elements. She supports and nourishes us.)
• Gland: Adrenal cortex/Adrenal glands (fight or flight response)
• Sound: Lam
• Musical Note: C
• Gemstones: Any red or red/brown colored stones (e.g. Ruby, Garnet, Red Jasper, Hematite, Smoky Quartz, and Black Tourmaline)
• Essential Oils: Sandalwood, Labdanum, Olibanum, Copal, Styrax, White Ceremonial Sage, Frankincense, Myrrh
• Herbs: Burdock, Clove, Dandelion, Rosemary, Paprika, Cayenne, Allspice, Nutmeg
• Physical Body: Blood, Immune system, Bone marrow, the base of the Spine, Legs, Feet
• Emotional Body: Connected with our survival instincts and primal needs (food, shelter, safety)
• Spiritual Body: This is the center from which we ground ourselves and connect with Mother Earth

Crystals & Gemstones for your Root Chakra

You can use crystals and gemstones to balance your Root Chakra. Root Chakra crystals are grounding, resonating with the earth element. So any stones that are the color of the earth, like black, will balance the Root Chakra. Red stones will bring balance to the Root Chakra as well. You may carry your favorite stone with you, wear crystal jewelry. You can also place a Root Chakra crystal directly onto your body (just above pubic bone) while you meditate. Here are some of the best stones for Root Chakra healing:

Root Chakra Assessment

Your chakras react to every experience you’ve ever had. So it’s natural for you to need healing in different energy centers based on what’s happening in your life. Your Root Chakra can become blocked as a result of shifts in your family and work life. 

Here are some questions you can ask yourself to determine if your Root Chakra is open or not: 

• Do I generally feel safe?
• Do I feel scattered?
• Is my home life causing me stress?
• How’s my relationship with my family?
• Is my work environment causing me stress?
• Am I struggling to have my basic needs met?
• Have I adopted limiting beliefs from my tribe that don’t serve me?
• Do I have a healthy sense of belonging in the world?

Signs of an Unbalanced Root Chakra

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may have an imbalance in the Root Chakra:

• Tired
• Mentally scattered
• Frazzled
• Fearful for yourself or family members
• Unsafe
• Clumsy
• Afraid
• Alone
• May suffer from autoimmune disorders

---

Signs of a Balanced Root Chakra

When your Root Chakra is in balance, you will feel:

• Grounded
• Connected to the earth
• Financially secure
• Physically safe
• Emotionally stable
• Sense of belonging

---

How to Heal, Unblock, & Open Your Root Chakra

Listen To Your Body

The main theme of the Root Chakra is connection to your physical body. It’s natural for the Root Chakra to become blocked when you’ve got a lot on your mind. When you’re mentally and emotionally distracted, you can miss your body’s signals. 

Sit quietly and ask your body what it needs. Have you struck a healthy balance between movement and rest? Are you thirsty? Your body will gladly tell you what it needs if you take the time to ask. 

Release Tribal Patterns

The Root Chakra is all about tribe. Your family, religious organizations, and community have a big role in helping you form your view of the world. This can be a beautiful thing. Traditions, recipes, and languages passed down through the generations can be treasures. 

But sometimes prejudices, limiting beliefs, and unhealthy behavior are passed down to new generations. What beliefs have you adopted that don’t serve you? Give yourself permission to break toxic cycles and form new beliefs that reflect the life you want to create. 

Visualize the Color Red

Seriously — envisioning the color red glowing brightly at the base of the spine, where this chakra is located, is the beginning of Root Chakra cleansing and balancing. Start with the simple meditation of imaging a bright red light at the base of your tailbone. Picture this red light extending down your legs and feet, grounding you to the Earth. 

Take a Shower

This is such a wonderful Root Chakra cleanser. Water holds the 

We are physical animals in addition to being intelligent, thoughtful human beings. Embrace and love your physicality by being completely present as you bathe. Mindfully moving is a powerful form of meditation. 

Journal your Thoughts

Get in touch with how you’re feeling. List out all of your fears, because once they’re out in the open, a lot of their power is gone. What self-limiting beliefs have been coming up for you? Use this little book if you’re having physical ailments to see what emotional issues are triggering them. Write down new healing beliefs and affirmations on index cards and tape them in places where you’ll see them frequently. 

Root Chakra Affirmations

Affirmations are another method of balancing a specific chakra. Repeating affirmations directs healing energy to restore balance to that aspect of your body, and your life. These powerful statements rewrite the patterns in our subconscious minds and direct healing vibrations to the chakra.

If your Root Chakra is out of balance, repeat these affirmations:

• "I feel centered."
• "I am home."
• "I am connected to my body."
• "My body is my home."
• "I feel safe and secure."
• "I stand for my values, truth, and justice."
• "I have what I need."
• "I am kind and compassionate to myself."
• "I am infinite possibilities."
• "I am grateful for challenges because they make me stronger."
• "I am fearless."
• "I trust myself."
• "I love myself."
• "I trust Source which is universal divine mother providing for my basic needs."
• "I nurture myself with healthy food, clean water, clean air, exercise, relaxation, and connection to nature"

Conclusion

As you set your intention to heal your Root Chakra, you’ll begin to feel more stable and secure in your world. Spend time in nature, be mindful and loving toward your physical body. Remember that you’re always safe. 

If you’re ready for more, check out our Ultimate Chakra Guide for your Sacral, Solar Plexus, Heart, Throat, Third Eye, and Crown Chakra!