Story behind the Shakti Energy Goddess Design.

Shakti: Goddess of Energy is a design I created in 2008. I originally created this design as a graphic for a tshirt. It is now available in print form. (Shown here is a framed ceramic tile. )

Here's the story behind the image: (with a little help from Wikipedia)

Shakti is the Hindu Goddess of Energy. I've portrayed her in this design with the 7 Chakras (Energy Centers) of the Body. These 7 chakras are aligned along the vertical axis of the body from the base of the spine to the crown of the head and identify major branchings of the human nervous system. These chakras are believed to be the major points in the body for metaphysical and/or biophysical energy. These energy centers are each symbolized through different colored circles or spheres and different numbers of petals of a lotus flower. The Shakti Goddess is also portrayed in the design with her "Kundalini" - a snake. Kundalini in Sanskrit means snake and it refers to the spiritual energy within every human being that lies 'coiled like a snake' at the base of the spine. It is believed that through meditation, this snake is awakened and moves through the seven chakras, unleashing energy as it passes, and culminates at the crown of the head where spiritual knowledge and power are achieved.

If you look closely, you'll see the snakeskin design starting on the lower half of Shakti's body. The snakeskin pattern continues in the center of the design, passing through the chakras. The snake design then reaches the top and encompasses the head and the 7th chakra unleashing the spiritual enlightment illustrated by the large sunburst behind the image.

Hope you enjoyed a little insight to the story behind the image. -kristen

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