A Wheel of Light: The Chakras Trivia Quiz

Answer: One of the physical body's spiritual energy centers

The word "chakra" comes from the Sanskrit for "wheel". The body's chakras can be thought of as energy "organs" or vortices for the spiritual energy known as one's aura. They can be compared to the lymph system with its nodes, but they are not physical.

The seven major chakras are arranged vertically along the spine. As energy passes upward from one chakra to the next, the chakras are activated. The practice of yoga is an important part of activating and balancing one's chakras.

Answer: A rainbow or spectrum

All life and all energy comes from light. The seven colors of the spectrum, as seen in the rainbow, are representative of the seven major chakras. Chakras are not associated with either a specific scripture or one specific culture. Although the word "chakra" is Sanskrit, many cultures such as the ancient Egyptians and Chinese, the Greeks, and the Incan and Mayan peoples have been aware of these energy centers. Breatharianism is a rarely practiced philosophy which maintains that a person whose chakras are completely open and active will no longer require energy from food.

Answer: Between the base of the spinal cord and the top of the head

The first (base) chakra is located in the genital area, opening downward. Moving upward along the spine are the second through sixth chakras, and the seventh (crown) chakra is located at the top of the head, opening upward.

Answer: Lotus blossoms

Although each chakra has its associated element, yoga posture, and Hindu deity, their most common depiction is the lotus flower. The base chakra is symbolized by the four-petaled lotus, the second by the six-petaled, and so on up to the crown chakra with its thousand-petaled lotus.

The flowers are usually depicted in the color associated with the same chakra, and the symbols are very intricate and beautiful.

Answer: True

Kundalini, the "coiled serpent" of sexual energy, arises from the base chakra. The movement of this primal energy, necessary for life, upward along the pathway to the higher chakras can be accomplished by yoga, especially tantric practices. The caduceus, with its two coiling snakes around an upward-leading staff, represents the healing of body and soul and the movement toward higher consciousness.

Answer: True

Much has been written about "balancing the chakras". In essence, when your chakras are unbalanced, your life is unbalanced. If attention is paid to physical matters at the expense of intellectual and/or spiritual ones, the being as a whole will suffer.

In humans, the lower chakras (those associated with activities like sexuality, reproduction and digestion, among others) tend to predominate. When more attention is paid to the higher chakras (intellectual and spiritual), they become more active and the person as a whole more balanced.

Answer: Yes

Animals have chakras, but as might be expected, the higher centers of consciousness and spirituality are less developed in animals. Conversely, paw chakras and the third eye chakra (which governs intuition and instinct) can be much more developed.

Answer: Phrenology

Phrenology, a "science" involving the study of head shape, does not help the flow of energy through the chakras. All of the other choices and many other helpful practices such as visualization, chanting, crystal healing, and color therapy, however, do.

Answer: Red

The first chakra is also called the base or root chakra. It balances and stabilizes the Earth's energy, which enters the body through the feet, legs, and genitals. It can be activated by fabrics, crystals and gemstones in its color, vermilion red. When overactive, the first chakra is also the chakra of obsessions.

Answer: Sacral chakra

Located just below the navel, the second or sacral chakra's color is a brilliant orange-gold. This is the relationship chakra, but if it is underactive, the person may have a desire to overindulge in food or sex. To balance the second chakra, try eating orange food and wearing fire opals or carnelian stones.

Answer: Topaz

The golden yellow of topaz activates the solar plexus chakra, which is ruled by the Sun. This energy center is indeed a "plexus", for it is here that upward-flowing Earth energy meets downward-flowing cosmic energy. Do you often have "gut feelings"? That's your third chakra, which when balanced governs the proper use of personal wisdom.

Answer: Defense against environmental pollutants and viruses

Of the body's 21 minor chakras, the thymus chakra is perhaps the most important. The heart chakra and both its nearby minor chakras (the thymus and the kalpa tree chakras) are all governed by air. An active thymus chakra protects us from airborne illnesses, and the kalpa tree chakra activates the diaphragm. Grounding energy is the function of the base chakra, and recall of prehistoric memories takes place in the alta major chakra, which is another minor chakra and is located at the base of the skull.

Answer: Wearing a turquoise scarf around your neck

The fifth chakra is balanced by employing turquoise blue, lapis lazuli, the flute, and blue flowers. The incorrect choices would all be used to activate the solar plexus chakra.

Answer: Insight

The third eye chakra, whose color is indigo blue, is the center of duality, of yin and yang, of the two hemispheres of the brain, and of the psychological ego and superego. It represents the balancing of body and soul, whereas the seventh (crown) chakra is concerned with the spirit only. Both the sixth and seventh chakras are centers of insight and ESP, however.

Hearing, touch, and movement are governed by the fifth, fourth, and third chakras respectively.

Answer: White and gold

The pure, golden-white light of spiritual consciousness is centered in and emanates from the crown chakra. Meditation, especially on noble ideals and aspirations, helps us to let go of earthly concerns.

With each incarnation, a soul begins life's journey anew. With each birth, there is new hope. Peace...Shanti.