Glossary entry

Sri Yantra (Sri Chakra)

noun · / ʃriː ˈjʌn.trə / · Hindu Tantric meditation diagram · also: Sri Chakra, Tripura Yantra

The central Hindu Tantric meditation diagram, consisting of 9 interpenetrating triangles (4 upward Shiva + 5 downward Shakti) meeting at a central bindu point and surrounded by 8-petal and 16-petal lotuses, a triple boundary line, and a square enclosure with four T-shaped gates. Used in the Sri Vidya school of Tantric Hinduism focused on the worship of the Goddess Lalita Tripura Sundari since at least the 8th century AD.

By Sarah Chen · Last updated 15 May 2026

Construction

The Sri Yantra is built from inside out: bindu (central point) → 9 interpenetrating triangles (4 upward, 5 downward) → 8-petal lotus → 16-petal lotus → triple boundary line → square enclosure with four T-shaped gates pointing in the four cardinal directions. The interpenetration of the 9 primary triangles produces 43 smaller triangles in five concentric rings — 1 central, 8, 10, 10, and 14 at the outer edge.

Symbolism

In Hindu Tantric symbolism, the four upward-pointing triangles represent Shiva (masculine, formless principle, consciousness) and the five downward-pointing triangles represent Shakti (feminine, formed principle, energy). Their interpenetration symbolises the union of consciousness and energy that produces manifest reality. The bindu at the centre is the unmanifest source from which the 43 triangles emerge.

The 8-petal lotus represents the eight Matrikas (mother goddesses); the 16-petal lotus represents the 16 Nityas (eternal goddesses). The square enclosure (bhupura, "earth-city") represents the material manifestation of the cosmos.

Origin

The Sri Yantra emerges from the Sri Vidya school of Tantric Hinduism. Textual references appear in the Saundarya Lahari (attributed to Adi Shankara, 8th century AD), the Tripura Upanishad, and the Yogini Hridaya Tantra. Physical examples in stone and metal date to at least the 9th-10th century AD in South Indian temples — the Sringeri Sharada Peetham and Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham house some of the most-revered Sri Yantra installations.

Modern use

The Sri Yantra remains in active use in contemporary Hindu meditation practice, particularly in the Sri Vidya tradition. It is also widely used outside its classical context in modern western yoga, new-age sacred geometry, and decorative spiritual art. Modern usage often simplifies the construction or omits the lotus and bhupura elements; full canonical Sri Yantras retain all five layers.

In Grid Maker Pro

Implemented as the Sri Yantra overlay with the canonical 9-triangle interpenetration plus optional lotus and bhupura layers. The geometric construction is one of the most demanding in sacred geometry — even master geometers describe the canonical Sri Yantra as challenging to draw by hand. Grid Maker Pro's overlay uses the canonical proportions documented in traditional Sri Vidya texts and renders the yantra geometrically correct.

Related terms

Sacred geometry — the broader category.
Merkaba — Jewish kabbalistic counterpart of interpenetrating-triangle composition.

Citations

Adi Shankara (attributed). Saundarya Lahari. 8th century AD.
Tripura Upanishad. Late Upanishadic period.
Khanna, Madhu. Yantra: The Tantric Symbol of Cosmic Unity. Inner Traditions, 1979/2003.

Definition

Sri Yantra is a term in the Grid Maker Pro overlay catalogue. The canonical construction is documented in the linked tool page; this entry summarises the geometric or historical context that justifies a dedicated overlay. The first principle, the typical application, and the audience that benefits most are noted below — refine this paragraph with the term-specific construction details before launch.

Etymology and origin

Sri Yantra has roots in either fine-art tradition, geometric formalism, or design-systems practice — sometimes all three. The first known publication or attribution, the figure who codified the modern usage, and the route by which the term entered Western art-school vocabulary all deserve a sentence or two here. The operator should fact-check the canonical attribution and add a primary-source citation in the Sources list below.

In practice

Practitioners reach for the Sri Yantra overlay when an image needs a quick check against a specific compositional principle. A portrait painter blocks in the construction once at thumbnail stage; a photographer applies it after the shoot during cull. The relevant overlay in Grid Maker Pro applies in one click — bookmark the deep-link if you use it daily.

Sources

Primary source — fill in citation, e.g. published treatise, peer-reviewed article, or canonical workbook.

Secondary source — supporting attribution, e.g. art-history survey or museum catalogue.

Practitioner source — interview, demo video, or studio note from a working artist / photographer / designer.