Siddhachakra Meaning: The Jain Diagram of the Nine Revered States

The Siddhachakra, also called the Navapada, "nine positions", is a circular diagram at the heart of Jain devotion. It arranges nine revered states around a centre: the five kinds of spiritually perfected or advanced beings, and the four qualities of the Jain path.

The nine positions

At the centre is the Arihant, the enlightened teacher, surrounded by the other four revered beings: the Siddha, the fully liberated soul; the Ācārya, the head of a monastic order; the Upādhyāya, the teacher of scripture; and the Sādhu, the monk or nun. Between them sit the four qualities that make up the path: right faith, right knowledge, right conduct and austerity. Together the nine express both the goal of Jain religious life and the means of reaching it.

Worship of the Siddhachakra

The Siddhachakra is worshipped especially in the Śvetāmbara tradition, in homes and temples, and during the twice-yearly Navapada Oli observances, when devotees meditate on each of the nine positions in turn. Related wheel-diagrams of revered beings also appear in Digambara contexts: the Government Museum in Chennai holds a ninth-century carved navadevatā wheel.

What the diagram means

In Jain understanding, liberation is achieved through a person's own faith, knowledge, conduct and austerity. The Siddhachakra keeps the whole path in view in a single image. It is a support for contemplation, not a device that produces results by itself.

The Siddhachakra in jewellery

A Siddhachakra design is a sign of reverence for the nine positions of Jain devotion. See the AURYN Siddhachakra charm, or read our guide to the Jain Tirthankara emblems.