If the seven chakras are a system, then the heart chakra is its centre. It sits symbolically at the middle of the chest — and, in the yogic tradition, exactly where the lower three chakras (grounding, sensuality, will) meet the upper three (expression, intuition, awareness). The fourth chakra, Sanskrit Anahata ("the unstruck"), is considered the seat of compassion, love, and connection.

In this article you'll find everything you'd like to know about the heart chakra: its traditional meaning, the colour green, its symbol, its location, and a few mindful practices people have used to connect with it for centuries — down to earth and without medical claims.

What Is the Heart Chakra (Anahata)?

The heart chakra is the fourth of the seven main chakras in the traditional yogic-tantric teachings. Its Sanskrit name is Anahata, which roughly translates to "the unstruck" or "the unbeaten sound" — a poetic term for an inner centre that can exist independently of the outer world.

In chakra symbolism, it marks a special transition. The lower three chakras (root, sacral, and solar plexus chakra) are connected to the material world — to security, sensuality, self-expression. The upper three (throat, third eye, and crown chakra) are seen as turned toward mind and awareness. The heart chakra sits exactly in between — as mediator, as bridge, as centre. You'll find an overview of all seven chakras in our full chakra guide.

What it symbolically represents:

• Compassion — for yourself and for others
• Love — as an attitude, not a feeling
• Connection — with people, nature, the greater whole
• Balance — between head and gut, outer and inner
• Forgiveness — as letting go, not as forgetting

💚 The Colour Green — Symbolism of the Heart Chakra

The colour of the heart chakra is green. This association goes far beyond pure colour symbolism. Green is the colour of nature, of growth, and of renewal — three qualities that yogic tradition has long connected with the heart chakra.

Anyone who has walked through a freshly green forest in spring knows the feeling green can evoke: a sense of space, calm, a gentle exhale. It's exactly this feeling that the ancient teaching symbolically places in the heart chakra — a soft, open quality that doesn't push, but invites.

Some traditions add pink as a second heart chakra colour. Pink stands for a particularly tender, compassionate love — such as the love for a child, or self-love in its gentlest moments. Both colours are considered complementary, not competing.

Bringing Green into Everyday Life

Anyone wishing to consciously bring the symbolism of the heart chakra into everyday life can find inspiration in:

• Walks in nature — especially in forests or parks
• Green houseplants in the living room or bedroom
• Soft green accents in clothing (a scarf, a t-shirt, jewellery)
• Green tea as a calm morning ritual
• A green cover or cushion in your reading corner

You'll find the full symbolism of all seven chakra colours in our article Chakra Colours & Their Symbolism — a calm journey through the entire colour spectrum.

The Symbol of the Heart Chakra

The traditional symbol of the heart chakra is a twelve-petalled lotus flower in the colour green — with a six-pointed star at its centre. The star is formed from two overlapping triangles: one pointing upward, one pointing downward.

This symbolism is no coincidence: the two triangles represent the union of opposing principles — feminine and masculine, upper and lower, spirit and matter. In the heart chakra, the centre of the chakra system, these poles meet and find balance. The twelve petals of the lotus flower are interpreted differently across traditions — from twelve qualities of the heart (such as peace, compassion, forgiveness) to twelve aspects of spiritual practice.

Where Is the Heart Chakra Located?

In yogic tradition, the heart chakra is located at the centre of the chest — roughly at the height of the heart, slightly between the nipples. It is not an anatomical structure, but an energetic-symbolic reference point that practitioners have worked with for centuries. Anyone who pays close attention to the chest area can explore this symbolic place themselves — through placing the hands there, through conscious breathing, or through inward attention.

Themes the Heart Chakra Touches

In traditional teachings, certain life themes are assigned to the heart chakra. These are not medical diagnoses, but a cultural-spiritual framework within which one can reflect on personal experience.

When the Heart Chakra Is Experienced as Balanced

People who feel their inner centre often describe themselves as:

• open to connection — without losing themselves
• compassionate, but not self-sacrificing
• able to set boundaries AND allow closeness
• at peace with their own history
• at peace with what is

Element, Sound, Sense — a Quick Symbolic Overview

Mindful Practice for the Heart Chakra

Anyone wishing to consciously connect with the heart chakra will find many gentle practices in the yogic-spiritual tradition. None of them is a medical treatment — all are mindfulness-oriented exercises that each person explores for themselves.

1. Chest-Area Breath Meditation

Sit upright. Place both hands on your chest — one over your heart, one above it. Breathe consciously into the area beneath your hands. Feel your chest rise and fall. Five minutes in the morning or evening is enough. You'll find a more detailed guide in our article on sleep meditation.

2. Nature as a Resonance Space

A walk in the forest is one of the simplest heart chakra practices there is. The green of the trees, the soft ground, the sound of the leaves — all of this symbolically speaks to exactly the element tradition connects with the heart chakra.

3. The Mantra "YAM"

The bija (seed) mantra of the heart chakra is "YAM" (pronounced "yum"). It is repeated aloud or silently — with the idea that the sound resonates within the chest. A very old, very simple practice.

4. Gentle Yoga Asanas

Chest-opening yoga poses are classic heart chakra practices:

• Bhujangasana (Cobra) — gently lifting the upper body from a prone position
• Setu Bandhasana (Bridge) — lying on your back, gently lifting the pelvis
• Ustrasana (Camel) — a kneeling, gentle backbend

If you have any physical conditions, please check with a doctor or a qualified yoga teacher beforehand.

The Heart Chakra in the AURIPURA® Sleep System

At AURIPURA®, the idea of the seven chakras is built directly into our sleep system. Our chakra mattress contains seven energy rods — each symbolically assigned to one of the seven chakra areas. The heart chakra rod is the one in the centre: designed in green, symbolically related to the twelve-petalled lotus.

Anyone wishing to bring the concept of conscious chakra symbolism directly into their own bedroom will find every detail in the AURIPURA® guide. And anyone simply looking for more calm in their evening ritual can turn to our article on sleep meditation — a down-to-earth guide in four steps.

→ Discover the AURIPURA® Sleep System

Frequently Asked Questions About the Heart Chakra

What does the heart chakra mean?

The heart chakra (Sanskrit: Anahata, "the unstruck") is the fourth of the seven main chakras. In traditional yogic teachings, it symbolically represents compassion, love, connection, and the balance between the upper and lower three chakras.

What colour is the heart chakra?

The heart chakra is traditionally associated with the colour green — the colour of growth, nature, and renewal. In some traditions, pink is additionally named as an alternative or complementary heart chakra colour.

Where is the heart chakra located?

The heart chakra is symbolically located at the centre of the chest — at the height of the heart. It is the central hub of the chakra system and connects the lower three (grounding) with the upper three (mind and awareness) chakras.

What is the symbol of the heart chakra?

The symbol is a twelve-petalled green lotus flower with a six-pointed star (Star of David) at its centre. The star symbolises the union of feminine and masculine, upper and lower energies.

How can I connect with the heart chakra?

Classic ways include breath meditation focused on the chest area, time in nature (forests, green spaces), gentle yoga asanas such as Cobra or Bridge, and mindfulness exercises that centre compassion. These practices are part of a spiritual tradition, not medical recommendations.

Further Reading

• The 7 Chakras at a Glance — meaning, colours, symbols, and mantras of all seven chakras.
• Chakra Colours & Their Symbolism — the meaning of all seven chakra colours at a glance.
• Sleep Meditation — the Holistic Path to Rest — four techniques for a gentle evening practice.
• 5-Minute Sleep Meditation — the compact version for every evening.
• Chakra Mattress Guide — the holistic AURIPURA® sleep concept in detail.