The crown chakra, or Sahasrara, is the seventh and last of the seven main chakras. It sits at the top of your head and stands for an open awareness, a clear mind and a sense of oneness. Its color is violet, sometimes white. Often called the king of the chakras, it's tied to elevation, deep serenity and the feeling of being connected to something bigger than yourself. Here's what you need to know about the chakra that crowns them all.
Where the crown chakra comes from
Like the other six, the crown chakra appears in the Vedas, the first texts to describe the seven main chakras, also called the primary chakras. The whole system took shape in India between 1500 and 500 BCE, within the great schools of thought of the subcontinent.
Definition
You'll see it called the crown chakra or the chakra of the crown. Its Sanskrit name, Sahasrara chakra, literally means "thousand" or "infinite." It's pictured as a lotus flower with a thousand petals, and in the traditions that describe it, it symbolizes an open awareness and the highest clarity.
The crown chakra is the highest of the seven. It comes after the other six: the root chakra, the sacral chakra, the solar plexus chakra, the heart chakra, the throat chakra and the third eye chakra, or Ajna. Together they make up what's known as the subtle chakra system. In this view, Sahasrara is the meeting point between you and a wider consciousness, where the individual and the universal come together.
It's also seen as the king of the chakras, the one that embodies universal wisdom, union with the Universe and the absolute. Put simply, it stands for inner harmony and a mind that rises. It's described as the seat of the spirit, of wisdom and of your link to the cosmos. Sitting at the very top, it takes in all six other chakras and brings them together. To see how the whole system fits, browse our complete guide to the 7 chakras.
The crown chakra at a glance 
- Location: the top of the head, right where a crown would rest.
- Color: violet, sometimes white, since it symbolically holds every color.
- Element: thought, and more broadly the infinite.
- Seed syllable: none. It's linked above all to silence, the highest of all sounds.
- Sanskrit name: Sahasrara, "the thousand petals."
- Intention: awareness, openness and the feeling of being connected to the whole.
- Flower: the thousand-petaled lotus, a picture of blossoming.
- Symbolic horizon: elevation and a sense of oneness.
Crown chakra symbolism
The thousand-petaled lotus sums up this chakra better than any other image. The lotus starts out in the mud, rises above the water and opens in the light, which makes it a symbol of blossoming, purity and rebirth. The "thousand" in Sahasrara points to the infinite: an opening upward with no limit.
The crown chakra is often described as the high point of the inner journey. The root chakra grounds you in the earth; Sahasrara opens you to the sky. This high-low polarity is central to chakra symbolism. Picture a vertical axis along which energy is said to rise and come back down. The energy described as dormant at the base of the spine is linked to a journey up toward this last chakra.
Crown chakra color: violet and white
The crown chakra's main color is violet, sometimes white or a very pale, almost glowing violet. Violet is the color of contemplation, thought and depth. White stands for light, purity and inner clarity. Together, these shades express the elevation and serenity this chakra is known for.
This palette naturally guides the stones and objects you'll want to keep near you for this chakra: violet or white stones with a soft glow. To see where this violet sits in the full rainbow of the chakras, read our article on the meaning of the 7 chakra colors.
What the crown chakra does
The seventh and last chakra holds a special place in the system. It's said to circle the head like a crown and to represent universal consciousness. When it's described as open and balanced, it brings a sense of oneness, elevation and inner clarity, along with a peaceful serenity and the ability to step back.
It's also your link to something bigger than yourself: an open mind, a quiet kindness, the feeling that you have your place in a greater whole. That's why the crown chakra goes hand in hand with moments of silence and contemplation, the times when you let a soft, quiet calm settle in.
In this traditional view, the words are balance and harmonizing, not medical care. Harmonizing your crown chakra is mostly about giving yourself time to pause, breathe and be present, without forcing anything. For an overview of the practices, explore our selection of jewelry by chakra.
The crown chakra, Sahasrara, is the symbolic summit of the seven-chakra path: the point where you meet something greater than yourself.
Crown chakra stones
The crystals linked to the crown chakra are violet or white, chosen for their soft light and peaceful feel. Wear them as jewelry, rest one on your body during a quiet moment, or simply keep one within reach. Here are the best known.
- Amethyst: the violet stone above all others. It's the stone of a calm mind and serenity. Browse our amethyst jewelry, or read more in our guide to amethyst.
- Clear quartz: see-through and bright, it's linked to a clear mind and to the intention you set in it. Read our guide to clear quartz and browse our clear quartz jewelry.
- Selenite: a pearly, milky white, it's known for its peaceful glow and its gentleness. Our guide to selenite tells you more.
- Howlite: white with gray veins, it's called the stone of calm and letting go. Learn more in our guide to howlite and shop our howlite jewelry.
- Celestite: a very pale blue, the color of a winter sky, it's known for its gentleness and peaceful feel.
All these qualities belong to crystal lore: a world of calm and elevation, tied to the moments when you come back to yourself.
How to honor your crown chakra every day
Don't try to force anything. The idea is to make room, at your own pace, for moments of calm and openness. Here are a few practices traditionally linked to the crown chakra.
1. A moment of silence
A few minutes of sitting in silence is probably the practice closest to the spirit of this chakra. Find a quiet spot, sit with your back straight and gently bring your attention to the top of your head. A few slow breaths are enough to set a peaceful mood. Place an amethyst or a clear quartz near you, or hold a mala between your fingers to keep the rhythm. Our guide "Meditating with Crystals" walks you through it step by step.
2. Yoga
Several yoga poses are linked to opening upward. To gently connect the crown chakra and the third eye chakra, try these.
- Padmasana, or lotus pose:
Sit on your mat with your legs stretched out in front of you. Bend your right knee toward your chest, then do the same with your left knee, bringing your feet as close together as you can. Rest your hands on your knees, palms up. It's an ideal seat for a long, calm moment.
- Salamba Sarvangasana, or supported shoulder stand:
Lie on your back, then gently roll backward, putting your weight on your upper arms. Bend your elbows and support your lower back with your hands. Once you feel steady and comfortable, slowly straighten your legs into a vertical line.
3. Essential oils and mood
Set the mood with essential oils in a diffuser. Some scents are traditionally linked to contemplation and elevation, like white lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) or aglaia odorata. Soft lighting, a candle and a little silence are often all you need.
4. Wearing and pairing your stones
Wear a crown chakra stone as a bracelet or necklace and it stays close to you all day. You can also pair stones: amethyst looks lovely with clear quartz, the stone of intention, while selenite adds a bright note to the mix. Try an amethyst bracelet on its own or stacked. To go further with this idea of elevation, explore our jewelry for mindful living.
Caring for your stones
With time and daily wear, your stones deserve a little care. A few simple steps bring back their shine. They're about the stone itself, its surface and its luster, nothing else.
To clean them, a quick rinse under clear running water works for most hard stones like amethyst and clear quartz. Then dry them with a soft cloth. Keep soft stones like selenite away from water: just dust them with a soft brush or a dry cloth. To bring back their sparkle, leave them a few hours in the open air, in soft morning light. A selenite plate also makes a lovely spot to set your jewelry down at night, safe from scratches. You'll find what you need for your storage corner among our home decor pieces.
Frequently asked questions
What color is the crown chakra?
Its main color is violet, sometimes white or a very pale violet. Violet stands for contemplation and depth, white for light and inner clarity.
Where is the crown chakra located?
At the top of the head, right where a crown would sit. It's the highest of the seven main chakras.
What does Sahasrara mean?
Sahasrara is the Sanskrit name for the crown chakra. It means "the thousand petals" or "the infinite," a nod to the thousand-petaled lotus that symbolizes it.
What stones go with the crown chakra?
Mostly violet or white crystals: amethyst, clear quartz, selenite, howlite and celestite, all known for their peaceful, luminous feel.
How do you take a quiet moment with the crown chakra?
Find a quiet spot, sit with your back straight, breathe slowly and bring your attention to the top of your head. Place a violet or white stone near you and stay in silence for a while, focused on serenity.
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