The Root Chakra Symbol

In this task, you're going to build a symbol from a square from circles.

That's right! A symbol from a square from circles.

At first it may look complicated.

Don't worry. We'll take it slow!

Let's see what appears.

Draw the First Circle

Draw a vertical line down the middle of the page.

Then use a compass to draw a circle centred on the line.

Add the Top and Bottom Circles

Now draw two more circles—one above, one below—using the intersections of the first circle and the line as their centres.

Make the Horizontal Guide

Next, you'll need to make a horizontal line.

Use the intersections of the circles as centres.

Draw intersecting arcs to the left—and to the right.

Draw the Horizontal Line

Use where these arcs cross to draw a straight line across the page—that's your horizontal.

It'll slice the first circle right in half.

Add the Side Circles

Now draw two new circles centred on the points where the horizontal line intersects the edges of the first circle.

Draw the Diagonals

Let's slice things into eighths.

Draw lines at 45-degree angles using the intersections of the outer circles.

Reveal the Square

See where those diagonal lines cross the edge of the first circle?

Connect those intersections to draw a square inside the circle.

Add More Guides

See where the circles cross the square's edges?

Those are clues.

If you line them up just right, they'll divide the big circle into sixteenths.

Find the Triangle Points

Now for the top of the triangle.

Draw a horizontal line that connects two very specific points—look closely.

You'll see them just outside the square, near the top.

Reveal the Triangle

Now it's time for a triangle—a downward-pointing triangle.

Find where the vertical line meets the base of the square.

That's the bottom point.

Connect it to the horizontal line where it intersects the square.

Set the Next Circle

Time for a bigger circle!

Using the vertical line as a guide, change the compass size.

Set it from the top of the triangle to the very bottom of the original circle.

Draw the Inner Circle

Spin the pencil in a wide, smooth circle.

And voilà! Exactly what we need.

Draw the Outer Circle

Now change the compass size one more time—to reach from the centre to the edges of the outermost circles.

Then draw a circle—a biiiig circle.

Outer circle coming up!

Done? Brilliant!

Add the Petal Bases

Now it's time for the petals.

Draw the base of the petals by hand, using soft, rounded curves between the right points.

By hand?! Gulp. Better use pencil, just in case.

Add the Petal Tips

Now for the petal tips—curvy too, but with a nice little point at the end.

Not too sharp. Just... petally.

And that's it.

Finish the Symbol

All you need now is colour. Red. Bold, Root Chakra red. And a thick outline to make it pop.

Take It In

Pause for a moment and look at what you've made.

You can erase the construction lines you no longer need, or leave them faintly visible.

You started with circles.

Now you've uncovered a square, a triangle, and a complete symbol.

If your symbol looks slightly uneven, good news: that's exactly what practice is for. Check out the tool tips and try again.

Now make it yours.

Add colour, experiment with shading, create patterns, decorate the petals, or invent your own version inspired by the construction.