Yantra (यन्त्र) is the Sanskrit word for a mystical diagram, especially diagrams or amulets supposed to possess occult powers in astrological or magical benefits in the Ta***ic traditions of the Indian religions. Traditionally such symbols are used in Eastern mysticism to balance the mind or focus it on spiritual concepts. The act of wearing, depicting, enacting and/or concentrating on a yantra is
held to have spiritual or astrological or magical benefits in the Ta***ic traditions of the Indian religions. Shapes and patterns commonly employed in yantra include squares, triangles, circles and floral patterns but may also include more complex and detailed symbols, for instance:
The lotus flower typically represents chakras, with each petal representing a psychic propensity (or vritti) associated with that chakra;
A dot, or bindu, represents the starting point of creation or the infinite, unexpressed cosmos;
The shatkona (şaţkoņa) (Sanskrit name for a Hexagram) is composed of a balance between:
An upwards triangle which according to Ta**ra denotes energy, or more specifically action and service (seva). It may also denote spiritual aspiration, the element of fire, or Shiva. It is also said to represent the static substratum of the cosmos;[citation needed]
A downwards triangle which according to Ta**ra denotes spiritual knowledge. It may also denote the creative power of the cosmos, fecundity, the element of water, or Shakti;
A sw****ka represents good luck, welfare, prosperity or spiritual victory;
Bija mantras (usually represented as characters of Devanāgarī that correspond to the acoustic roots of a particular chakra or vritti).