The Ajna chakra is one of the seven main chakras. Also called the third eye chakra or brow chakra, it's the center of perception, awareness and intuition. It's where you rest your attention when you take a quiet moment or move through a yoga flow.
It sits between your eyebrows, in the middle of your forehead, and it stands for inner vision: the ability to see beyond appearances. Connecting with your third eye chakra means, symbolically, looking up from everyday distractions to find your inner clarity again. In this article, you'll learn how to care for this sixth chakra: its color, its symbol, the traditional practices linked to it and the crystals that go with it.
Third eye chakra (Ajna) at a glance
1. Its color
The third eye chakra's color is indigo, a deep, almost midnight blue that leans toward royal blue. It brings to mind the night and a starry sky, and it stands for freedom of thought and the depth of your inner gaze. Among the chakra colors, indigo means wisdom and inner knowing. It's the color of a calm, clear mind.
To learn more about what each shade means, read our article on the meaning of the 7 chakra colors.
2. Its symbol
The third eye chakra's symbol is a Sanskrit syllable set on a downward-pointing triangle, inside a circle with a lotus petal on each side. It brings together several powerful images from Indian tradition:
- The two petals stand for duality (seen and unseen, inner and outer) united in a single point.
- The inverted triangle, pointing down, is a symbol of knowledge and receptivity.
- The lotus flower grows out of the mud and opens in the light: a classic image of clarity slowly taking shape within you.
- The Sanskrit syllable is the calligraphic sign ancient India saw as the original sound, linked to silence and reflection.
Together, they make the third eye chakra a symbol of intuition and higher thinking, in the same family as the great geometric motifs handed down from India.
3. When it's out of balance
A busy, noisy mind and too much attachment to material things are said to pull you away from this inner clarity. When your attention scatters, self-doubt creeps in or your thinking gets cloudy, the Ajna chakra is described as out of balance. Indecision, confusion and the sense of losing your inner compass are the usual signs that this center needs some care.
On the flip side, an overactive third eye chakra is linked to a mind stuck in its thoughts and cut off from practical, everyday reality and the present moment. When that happens, the best move is to come back to simple, grounding habits.
How to care for your third eye chakra
Balance doesn't happen overnight. It takes patience and steady work on yourself. A balanced third eye chakra is linked to stronger intuition and a clearer sense of your inner wisdom, which shows up as calmer choices that give your emotions their rightful place.
If your mind feels too busy, the traditional advice is simple: spend time in nature. Contact with the earth brings back a sense of grounding, the counterweight to the lighter, airier work of the third eye chakra. If instead it feels quiet or withdrawn, a few minutes of silence somewhere peaceful, with your eyes closed, is still the easiest way to reconnect.
Yoga poses for the third eye chakra
Working on inner awareness is more about the quality of your attention than physical effort. In yoga, being fully present in each pose (asana) is linked to the energy of the third eye chakra and a sharper intuition.
The pose most often linked to this chakra is Shirshasana, or headstand. It's for experienced yogis only, and always with a teacher. It's an inversion, tied to recentering and reflection.
Mindful breathing and the Ajna chakra
Mindful breathing is an easy way to connect with your third eye chakra. Sit comfortably with your back long. Close your eyes, bring your attention to the spot between your eyebrows where the chakra sits, and watch your breath come and go. Each time you breathe in, picture a soft light settling there. Each time you breathe out, let cluttered thoughts drift away. Keep your body relaxed and continue for a few minutes, at least five.
A held sound to recenter
You can also connect with the Ajna chakra through sound. Sit comfortably with your spine tall and bring your attention to where the chakra sits. Then, slowly and mindfully, let a long, low syllable resonate in your mind, like a soft hum held for your whole out-breath. Keep going for as long as it feels comfortable.
Third eye chakra affirmations
Affirmations are another way to strengthen your bond with your Ajna chakra. Here are a few to repeat in a quiet moment:
- "I manifest my vision."
- "My thoughts are clear."
- "My ego doesn't cloud my thinking."
- "I'm open to my inner wisdom."
Third eye chakra crystals
In crystal lore, the third eye chakra goes with indigo, midnight blue and violet stones, whose colors echo the chakra's own. Here's what each one stands for. Think of them as symbolic touchstones for a moment of recentering.
- Amethyst: the stone of a calm mind, serenity and intuition. Shop our amethyst jewelry.
- Lapis lazuli: midnight blue flecked with gold, linked to listening to your own truth and to self-expression. You'll find it in our lapis lazuli jewelry.
- Labradorite: gray with blue-green flashes, a stone of protection and intuition. See our labradorite jewelry.
- Sodalite: blue marbled with white, a symbol of a calm mind and measured words. Browse our sodalite jewelry.
- Fluorite: translucent violet and green, linked to a settled mind and inner clarity.
- Moonstone: pearly white with a bluish glow, known as the stone of intuition and gentleness. You'll find it in our moonstone jewelry.
How to use these crystals every day
The simplest way is to keep your stone with you all day. An indigo bracelet or necklace works as a quiet reminder of your intention for calm and clarity. You can also set a tumbled stone in a peaceful corner of your home, or hold it in your palm during a moment of silence. See our tips for meditating with crystals.
If you want to work with all seven centers, you can combine several stones. Our jewelry by chakra collection brings together the colors of every chakra, from root to crown.
Caring for your crystals
Like all natural stones, third eye chakra crystals do best with regular, simple care. Depending on the stone, a rinse in clean water, a wipe with a soft cloth or a few hours outdoors in the morning light is enough to bring back their shine. Each one has its own needs: sodalite and fluorite, for example, don't like long soaks. Our guide to cleansing and caring for your crystals walks you through each step.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the third eye chakra?
It sits between your eyebrows, in the middle of your forehead. It's the sixth of the seven main chakras, right before the crown chakra.
What color is the third eye chakra?
Indigo, a deep blue close to the color of the night sky. It stands for wisdom and inner clarity.
Which crystals go with the third eye chakra?
The ones you'll see most often are amethyst, lapis lazuli, labradorite, sodalite, fluorite and moonstone, chosen for their indigo, midnight blue or violet shades. These pairings come from crystal lore.
How do I take care of my third eye chakra?
Try a few minutes of silence with your eyes closed, mindful breathing, a sound held on the out-breath, positive affirmations and time in nature. These practices are all about inner harmony and balance.
What is the symbol of the Ajna chakra?
A Sanskrit syllable set on a downward-pointing triangle, inside a circle with two lotus petals: a symbol of intuition and inner clarity.
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