
Yantra (; 'machine'/'contraption') is a geometrical diagram, mainly from the
Tantric traditions of the
Indian religions
Indian religions, sometimes also termed Dharmic religions or Indic religions, are the religions that originated in the Indian subcontinent. These religions, which include Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism,Adams, C. J."Classification o ...
. Yantras are used for the worship of deities in temples or at home; as an aid in meditation; and for the benefits believed given by their occult powers based on
Hindu astrology and tantric texts. They are also used for adornment of temple floors, due mainly to their aesthetic and symmetric qualities. Specific yantras are traditionally associated with specific deities and/or certain types of energies used for accomplishment of certain tasks or vows that may be either materialistic or spiritual in nature. They become a prime tool in certain
sadhanas performed by the sadhaka, the spiritual seeker. Yantras hold great importance in
Hinduism
Hinduism () is an Hypernymy and hyponymy, umbrella term for a range of Indian religions, Indian List of religions and spiritual traditions#Indian religions, religious and spiritual traditions (Sampradaya, ''sampradaya''s) that are unified ...
,
Jainism
Jainism ( ), also known as Jain Dharma, is an Indian religions, Indian religion whose three main pillars are nonviolence (), asceticism (), and a rejection of all simplistic and one-sided views of truth and reality (). Jainism traces its s ...
, and
Buddhism
Buddhism, also known as Buddhadharma and Dharmavinaya, is an Indian religion and List of philosophies, philosophical tradition based on Pre-sectarian Buddhism, teachings attributed to the Buddha, a wandering teacher who lived in the 6th or ...
.
Representations of the yantra in India have been considered to date back to 11,000–10,000 BCE. The
Baghor stone, found in an
Upper Paleolithic
The Upper Paleolithic (or Upper Palaeolithic) is the third and last subdivision of the Paleolithic or Old Stone Age. Very broadly, it dates to between 50,000 and 12,000 years ago (the beginning of the Holocene), according to some theories ...
context in the
Son River
Sone River, also spelt Son River, is a perennial river located in central India. It originates near Amarkantak Hill in Pendra (Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi district), Chhattisgarh and finally merges with the Ganges river near Maner in Patna, Biha ...
Valley, is considered the earliest example by G. R. Sharma, who was involved in the excavation of the stone (it was dated to 25,000–20,000 BCE). The triangular stone, which includes triangular engravings on one side, was found daubed in ochre in what was considered a site related to worship. Worship of goddesses in that region was found to be practiced in a similar manner to the present day.
Kenoyer, who was also involved in the excavation, considered it to be associated with
Shakti
Shakti (Devanagari: शक्ति, IAST: Śakti; 'energy, ability, strength, effort, power, might, capability') in Hinduism, is the "Universal Power" that underlies and sustains all existence. Conceived as feminine in essence, Shakti refer ...
. This triangular shape looks very much similar to Kali Yantra and
Muladhara Chakra.
Mantras, the Sanskrit syllables inscribed on yantras, are essentially "
thought forms" representing divinities or cosmic powers that exert their influence by means of sound-vibrations.
[Khanna, Madhu (2003). ''Yantra: The Tantric Symbol of Cosmic Unity,'' page 21. Inner Traditions. & ]
Etymology
In
Rigvedic Sanskrit, yantra meant an instrument for restraining or fastening, a prop, support, or barrier, etymologically deriving from the root ''yam,'' "to sustain, support" and the ''-tra'' suffix, expressing instrumentation. The literal meaning is still evident in the medical terminology of
Sushruta
Suśruta (, ) is the listed author of the '' Suśruta Saṃhiāa'' (''Suśruta's Compendium''), considered to be one of the most important surviving ancient treatises on medicine. It is also considered a foundational text of Ayurveda. The treat ...
, where the term refers to blunt surgical instruments such as tweezers or a vice. The meaning of "mystical or occult diagram" arises in the medieval period (
Kathasaritsagara,
Pancharatra).
Usage and meaning
Yantras are usually associated with a particular deity and are used for specific benefits, such as: for meditation; protection from harmful influences; development of particular powers; attraction of wealth or success, etc.
For instance, the
Sivali yantra, used mainly in Southeast Asian Buddhism, is used for the attraction of wealth and good luck. They are often used in daily ritual worship at home or in temples, and sometimes worn as a talisman.
As an aid to meditation (meditative painting), yantras represent the deity that is the object of meditation. These yantras emanate from the central point, the ''
bindu''. A yantra typically has several geometric shapes radiating concentrically from the center, including triangles, circles, hexagons, octagons, and symbolic lotus petals. The outside often includes a square representing the four cardinal directions, with doors to each. A popular form is the Sri Chakra, or
Sri Yantra, which represents the goddess in her form as
Tripura Sundari. Sri Chakra also includes a representation of
Shiva
Shiva (; , ), also known as Mahadeva (; , , Help:IPA/Sanskrit, ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐh and Hara, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the God in Hinduism, Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions w ...
, and is designed to show the totality of creation and existence, along with the user's own unity with the cosmos.
Yantras can be on a flat surface or three-dimensional. They can be drawn or painted on paper, engraved on metal, or any flat surface. They tend to be smaller in size than the similar
mandala
A mandala (, ) is a geometric configuration of symbols. In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employed for focusing attention of practitioners and adepts, as a spiritual guidance tool, for establishing a sacred space and as an aid ...
, traditionally with less color.
Occult yantras are used as good luck charms, to ward off evil, as preventative medicine, in exorcism, etc., by virtue of magical power. When used as talismans, yantras are viewed as representing a deity who can be called on at will by the user. They are traditionally consecrated and energized by a priest, including the use of mantras closely associated with the specific deity and yantra. Practitioners believe that a yantra that is not energized with a mantra is lifeless.
In
Sri Lankan Buddhism, practitioners are required to have the yantra of the deity with them, once the deity has shown acceptance of their prayer.
Gudrun Bühnemann classifies three general types of yantras based on their usage:
# Yantras that are used as foundation for ritual implements such as lamps or vessels. These are typically simple geometric shapes upon which the implements are placed.
# Yantras used in regular worship, such as the
Sri Yantra. These include geometric diagrams energized with mantras to the deity, and sometimes include written mantras in the design.
# Yantras used in specific desire-oriented rites. These are often made on
birch bark or paper, and can include special materials such as flowers, rice paste, or ashes.
Structural elements and symbolism

A yantra comprises geometric shapes, images, and written mantra. Triangles and hexagrams are common, as are circles and lotuses of 4 to 1,000 petals. Saiva and Shakti yantras often feature the prongs of a
trishula
The ''trishula'' () is a trident, a divine symbol, commonly used as one of the principal symbols in Hinduism. It is most commonly associated with the deity Shiva and widely employed in his iconography. Etymology
The name ''trishula'' ultimate ...
.
;Mantra
:Yantras frequently include mantras written in Sanskrit.
:Use of colors in traditional yantra is entirely symbolic, and not merely decorative or artistic. Each color is used to denote ideas and inner states of consciousness. White/Red/Black is one of the most significant color combinations, representing the three qualities or ''gunas'' of nature (''
prakriti
Prakriti ( ) is "the original or natural form or condition of anything, original or primary substance". It is a key concept in Hinduism, formulated by the ''Samkhya'' school, where it does not refer merely to matter or nature, but includes all cog ...
''). White represents ''sattwa'' or purity; red represents ''rajas'' or the activating quality; black represents ''tamas'' or the quality of inertia. Specific colors also represent certain aspects of the goddess. Not all texts give the same colors for yantras. Aesthetics and artistry are meaningless in a yantra if they are not based on the symbolism of the colors and geometric shapes.
;Bindu
:The central point of traditional yantras have a
bindu or point, which represents the main deity associated with the yantra. The retinue of the deity is often represented in the geometric parts around the center. The bindu in a yantra may be represented by a dot or small circle, or may remain invisible. It represents the point from which all of creation emanates. Sometimes, as in the case of the Linga Bhairavi yantra, the bindu may be presented in the form of a linga.
;Triangle
:Most Hindu yantras include triangles. Downward-pointing triangles represent the feminine aspect of God or
Shakti
Shakti (Devanagari: शक्ति, IAST: Śakti; 'energy, ability, strength, effort, power, might, capability') in Hinduism, is the "Universal Power" that underlies and sustains all existence. Conceived as feminine in essence, Shakti refer ...
, while upward-pointing triangles represent God's masculine aspect, as in
Shiva
Shiva (; , ), also known as Mahadeva (; , , Help:IPA/Sanskrit, ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐh and Hara, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the God in Hinduism, Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions w ...
.
;Hexagram
:Hexagrams as shown in yantras are two equilateral triangles intertwined, representing the union of male and female aspects of divinity, or Shiva and Shakti.
;Lotus
:Mandalas and yantras both frequently include lotus petals, which represent purity and transcendence. Eight-petaled lotuses are common, but lotuses in yantras can include 2, 4, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24, 32, 100, 1000 or more petals.
;Circle
:Many mandalas have three concentric circles in the center, representing manifestation.
;Outer square
:Many mandalas have an outer square or nested squares, representing the earth and the four cardinal directions. Often they include sacred doorways on each side of the square.
;Pentagram
:Yantras infrequently use a pentagram. Some yantras of ''Guhyakali'' have a pentagram, due to the number five being associated with
Kali
Kali (; , ), also called Kalika, is a major goddess in Hinduism, primarily associated with time, death and destruction. Kali is also connected with transcendental knowledge and is the first of the ten Mahavidyas, a group of goddesses who p ...
.
;Octagon
:Octagons are also infrequent in yantras, where they represent the eight directions.
Yantra designs in modern times have deviated from the traditional patterns given in ancient texts and traditions. Designers in the west may copy design elements from Nepali/tantric imitations of yantras.
Yantra tattooing

Yantra Tattooing or Sak Yuant is a form of
tattoo
A tattoo is a form of body modification made by inserting tattoo ink, dyes, or pigments, either indelible or temporary, into the dermis layer of the skin to form a design. Tattoo artists create these designs using several tattooing processes ...
ing using yantra designs in Buddhism. It consists of sacred geometrical, animal and deity designs accompanied by
Pali
Pāli (, IAST: pāl̤i) is a Classical languages of India, classical Middle Indo-Aryan languages, Middle Indo-Aryan language of the Indian subcontinent. It is widely studied because it is the language of the Buddhist ''Pali Canon, Pāli Can ...
phrases that are said to offer power, protection, fortune, charisma and other benefits for the bearer. Sak yant designs are normally tattooed by ''
ruesi'', ''wicha'' practitioners, and Buddhist monks or Brahmin priests, traditionally with a metal rod sharpened to a point (called a ''khem sak'').
Yantra drawing
The world’s largest
Sri Chakra, measuring 67,400 sq ft was drawn on ground in Cranbury, New Jersey under the guidance of Guru Karunamaya.
Gallery
Image:Yant_Paed_Tidt.jpg, Yan Paet-thit, a Thai yantra tattoo
File:Sri_Yantra_copper2.jpg, Traditional engraved copper Sri Yantra
File:Trident_Yantra_of_Parama_Siva.jpg, Yantra of Paramashiva, with trident
File:SriYantra construct.svg, The Sri Yantra diagram
File:Ashtamatrika yantra.jpg, Ashtamatrika yantra diagram
File:Tripura-bhairavi yantra color.jpg, Tripurabhairava yantra diagram
See also
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Baghor stone
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Kolam
Kolam (, , ), also known as Muggu (), Tarai Alangaram () and Rangoli (), is a form of traditional decorative art that is drawn by using rice flour as per age-old conventions. It is also drawn using white stone powder, chalk or chalk powder, oft ...
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Mandala
A mandala (, ) is a geometric configuration of symbols. In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employed for focusing attention of practitioners and adepts, as a spiritual guidance tool, for establishing a sacred space and as an aid ...
*
Muggu
*
Rangoli
Rangoli is an art form that originates from the Indian subcontinent, in which patterns are created on the floor or a tabletop using materials such as powdered limestone, red ochre, dry rice flour, coloured sand, quartz powder, Petal, flower ...
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Sacred geometry
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Shri Yantra
The Sri Yantra, Shri Yantra, or Shri Chakra (Sanskrit: श्री यन्त्र, IAST: śrī yantra) is a form of mystical diagram (''yantra'') used in the Shri Vidya school of Hinduism. Comprising nine interlocking triangles, it embodies ...
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Sriramachakra
*
Yantra tattooing
References
Further reading
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*
Khanna, Madhu (2003). ''Yantra: The Tantric Symbol of Cosmic Unity. '' Inner Traditions. &
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External links
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Hindu symbols
Amulets
Tantra
Hindu philosophical concepts
Religious symbols
Indian iconography
Religious diagrams