Chakra Series Paintings by Elizabeth Dion

Chakra is a Sanskrit word meaning wheel and is the name given to the subtle energy centers in the body. There are seven main chakras that align vertically from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. The three lower chakras generally relate to the physical world and the top three relate more to the spiritual world. The “heart” chakra in the middle is a place of transition.

The chakras must be open for the energy to move through our body and connect us to the earth and the spiritual plane. Each chakra is associated with a certain type of energy, life lessons and the physical health of related parts of the body

.Caroline Myss, in her book Anatomy Of The Spirit, also relates the seven Christian sacraments and the Kabbalah’s Tree of Life to the energy of the seven main chakras. In addition to this book, my recent information on the chakra system comes from Alan Seale’s book, Intuitive Living, and from several internet sites. 

The first three paintings of this series were in the show, “Portraits of the Self” at the Women's Center of Jacksonville. They represent the first three chakras that relate to the physical world or earthly “self”. All of the paintings indicate all seven chakras but one dominates for that painting. Chakra paintings 4 through 6 are in the show "Images of the Devine" at the Women's Center of Jacksonville.

The paintings: 

CHAKRA 1, ROOTS 

This is where we connect to the earth, the physical world and to our tribal roots. It is also where kundalini energy, the life-force energy, is released in the body. The painting shows this life-force energy starting at the root chakra and traveling upward to energize the other chakras. It also travels down and grounds the figure to the earth. The red color representing this chakra spirals out of the root chakra and energizes the whole body. The root chakra element is earth and the root forms coming from the chakra energy connect to the earth.

CHAKRA 2, RELATIONSHIP

The energy of this chakra relates to emotion, sexuality and creativity. As we develop at this level, we learn to relate to others, to give and to receive. The color is orange which radiates from the sacral area. The element is water shown at the figures’ feet and general underwater quality of the background. The hands with upturned palms represent the ability to receive and the down turned palms are giving hands.  

CHAKRA 3, PERSONAL POWER

Personality, self-esteem and intellect are among the attributes of the third, or solar plexus, chakra. At this level we assert our will to shape our lives using the creative energy of the lower chakras. Yellow is the color which radiates through the body and out into the world around the figure. She is still grounded firmly to the earth but energy is moving upward and starting to form wings. The element of this chakra is fire.

CHAKRA 4, HEART

Love flows through the fourth chakra. From this emotional energy center we reach out with love and learn to accept love. We learn forgiveness and compassion. The green color of this chakra swirls from the heart into the encircling arms. The reds and oranges of the earthly lower chakras reach up and mix with the cooler blues of higher realms. The fullness of the figure represents her capacity for love.

CHAKRA 5, DIVINE WILL

Here in the throat chakra we enter the spiritual realm. We know ourselves more deeply and can express our will and recognize the consequences of its expression.
With full development of this chakra we can release our need for personal will and accept divine will into our lives. The color of this chakra is light blue. It enters the throat from above and radiates throughout the figure and into developing wings. Spiritual energy soars and the limits of the body are becoming less distinct.

CHAKRA 6, TRUTH

The brow chakra is often represented as the “third eye”. It gives us spiritual sight and insight. It sheds light and helps us to see the big picture. With the knowledge and perception of the sixth chakra, we see more clearly and learn to seek and recognize truth. The dark blue, indigo, color of this chakra is present with the rainbow colors of all the chakras. The limits of the body have faded away and the figure is becoming one with universal energy.