Kundalini Energy: Meaning and Symbology

Published on
September 6, 2023

If you're interested in the energy world and the human body, you must have heard of Kundalini or seen a figure and symbol of a snake resting on the body's pelvic floor. And what is the relation of an elephant head figure to this topic? Grab your favorite drink before I take you on a journey to Kundalini.

The Kundalini is a metaphysical and esoteric energy inside YOU and every human body. It's the creative, divine feminine energy responsible for manifesting matter. The immense and limitless willpower we are born with is the source of our life force. Nothing you see physically can become real without this creative power.

The Sanskrit word Kundalini means coiled. It refers to a vibrant cosmic energy coiled at the spinal cord's base. Kundalini energy is called by different names; "sacred fire," "serpent fire," "fiery serpent," "inner fire," or "Kundalini Shakti (Serpent Power)." She is the dormant coiled serpent in the center of our subtle psychic body's Muladhara (first/root) chakra, symbolizing the power of transcendence. This energy of transformation is required to initiate change and overcome obstacles.

The Muladhara chakra is an interface of material and spiritual lives.  This chakra represents the Earth element. It symbolizes life on earth and material prosperity.  Within the first chakra resides Ganesha, an elephant-headed deity in Hinduism, ruling over the earth element and holding the Kundalini Shakti. Stimulating this chakra awakens Kundalini and starts the spiritual evolution.

Activated energy rises gradually and travels upward from the base of the spine to the crown chakra. It passes through the three energy channels (sushumna, nadi, pingala) in our bodies that allow the energy to flow and ignites the other chakras until reaching the head, where it becomes united with divine oneness and cosmic consciousness.

It's believed that our head is the seat of the ego. Replacing the human head with an elephant head like Ganesha (Hindu deity) symbolizes the enlightened human being free from the ego. Therefore, another symbol of an awakened Kundalini is Ganesha, the root chakra's deity that embodies the energy of transformation and is worshiped as "the removal of obstacles. " This explains the process of the Kundalini - removing the energetic blockages.

Let's understand leveling up and how our body is affected by this high-vibrating energy. Within different dimensions of energy, the first level is for our survival. To attain other dimensions of energy and experience higher frequencies to transform and expand consciousness, Kundalini needs to be stimulated by certain spiritual practices such as meditation, yoga, sex, breathing techniques, etc.

These practices help this potential energy rise to the brain. When this massive energy reaches the brain, our system can register to higher frequencies beyond the five senses. Then the brain and the nervous system become more sensitive to the brilliant light in the energy world in the cosmos. As a result of expanded consciousness, different dimensions of life open up, and one becomes more intuitive and spiritually connected.

The term "dormant serpent" means when Kundalini energy is inactive, we live in an illusion of separateness, ignoring our true nature of wholeness with the universe. Awakening is the end of the experience of a separate Self, me, I, mine thought from the Universal Self.

When the Muladhara chakra becomes active, qualities that we had not suspected were within us, such as destructive rage, all-consuming passion, excessive desires, or deep-seated anger, can surface and surprise us. At the same time, we can also experience immense feelings of freedom, joy, harmony, and oneness.

We can achieve freedom when everything we have carried within us since our existence is brought to light. Spiritual development is possible simply when everything inside of us has been processed and purified.

Clearing the old useless patterns, belief systems, and conditions require dedication, intention, and compassion.

With all the love, my motivation in sharing this article was to remind you how much potential YOU have within.

Aysu Sinman, OBI Trauma Informed Practitioner and Assistant Teacher




Experience our empowering Breathwork Sessions for free, every Sunday

Start your journey towards becoming who you were meant to be with a free Introspective Breathwork™ Session, held every Sunday at 11am EST.

One Breath Institute logo