Ashoka Chakra

This article is about the symbol. For military decoration, see Ashoka Chakra (military decoration).

Illustration of the Ashoka Chakra, as depicted on the flag of India.
Depiction of a chakravartin, possibly Ashoka, with a 16-spoked wheel (1st century BCE/CE)

The Ashoka Chakra (Transl: Ashoka's wheel) is an Indian symbol which is a depiction of the dharmachakra (English: "wheel of dharma"). It is so-called because it appears on a number of edicts of Ashoka the Great,[1] most prominent among which is the Lion Capital of Ashoka.[2] The most visible use of the Ashoka Chakra today is at the centre of the Flag of India (adopted on 22 July 1947), where it is rendered in a navy blue colour on a white background, replacing the symbol of charkha (spinning wheel) of the pre-independence versions of the flag. It is also shown in the Ashoka Chakra medal, which is the highest award for gallantry in peacetime.

  1. ^ Aryan, K. C. (1996). Encyclopaedia of Indian art, references, symbols & evolution of Devanagari script : Rekhā. Internet Archive. New Delhi : Rekha Prakashan. p. 115. ISBN 978-81-900003-4-5. Dharma—Chakra (the Buddhist symbol) during the time of Ashoka the Great...
  2. ^ "The 'Lion Capital': a Buddhist symbol that became India's National Emblem". The Heritage Lab. 4 August 2019. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.