In Jain tradition, the dharmachakra (wheel of dharma) did not come from a single historical “event” but developed gradually as a visual way to show core Jain ideas, especially:

• the 24 Tirthankars
• the continuous movement of the soul in saṃsār
• the role of samyak darshan–jnān–chāritra (right faith, knowledge, conduct) in turning that wheel toward mokṣa.

Below is a simple Jain-focused development story:

1. Early idea – Chakra as power and rule

Very old Jain texts speak of the chakraratna (divine wheel) of a Chakravartī (universal emperor). That wheel stands for rule based on dharma and protection of righteousness, not for violence. Over time, the “wheel = rule of dharma” idea became strong in Jain symbolism. ( jainknowledge.com)

1. Linking the wheel to Jain dharma itself

As Jain art and icons evolved, the wheel stopped being only a king’s jewel and became a general sign of Jain dharma: - round shape → endless cycle of birth and death - turning wheel → active practice of dharma that can change the direction of the soul - spokes → ordered path shown by Jinas (Tirthankars).

1. 24 spokes = 24 Tirthankars

In later standard Jain symbolism, the wheel in the palm (Jain emblem) is drawn with 24 spokes, each spoke representing one Tirthankar who “turns” beings from ignorance to the path of liberation. So the dharmachakra visually summarizes: “Walk on the path shown by the 24 Jinas.” ( jainknowledge.com)

1. Dharmachakra in the Jain hand symbol

The well-known Jain symbol (upright hand with “ahiṃsā” written in the palm) includes this wheel: - the hand says “Stop – do not harm” - the wheel in the center shows “Move – keep progressing in dharma as taught by the 24 Tirthankars.” Together they express: stop violence, start conscious right conduct. Over time this became the most recognized public emblem of Jainism. ( jainknowledge.com)

1. Dharmachakra and tapa

In some contexts like Dharmachakra-tap, the “wheel of dharma” image was also applied to a cycle of austerities arranged like a wheel – many penances in sequence forming one complete “turn” of spiritual effort. Here the symbol is applied to inner practice, not just to an external emblem. ( jainknowledge.com)

1. Digambar–Śvetāmbara view

- Both traditions accept the wheel as a Jain dharma symbol and use the 24-spoke idea for the Tirthankars. - Small artistic details (exact style of wheel, script used for “ahiṃsā,” colors) may differ, but the meaning is the same: wheel of Jain dharma guided by the 24 Jinas.

In summary, the dharmachakra in Jainism developed by:

• starting from the ancient chakra of a righteous universal king,
• becoming a symbol of the rule of Jain dharma,
• and finally being fixed as a 24‑spoke wheel linked to the 24 Tirthankars, often shown in the palm to emphasize ahiṃsā and right conduct.

You can read a simple explanation of the hand and dharmachakra symbol here