Reiki Symbols

reiki symbols

The traditional story told about the reiki symbols states that Dr. Mikao Usui who developed Reiki saw a "bubble of light" in which the symbols appeared to him. The symbols used are part of Buddhist practice. It is believed that Usui who was studying Buddhism adapted the symbols for use in his system.

In the Western Traditional practice of Reiki the symbols that are learned as part of the Level 2 Reiki are said to be "secret" and "sacred" but in the Western Non-Traditional practice they are quite commonly displayed. In Japan it is common to see the symbols written on objects in view in public places. There are many different practices and opinions regarding the symbols and different lineage's of Reiki have their own ideas about the symbols.

Some teach that seeing the reiki symbols before you are attuned to them in Level 2 Reiki will stop you from being attuned. I disagree, people have seen the symbols and have been attuned. Some think that the symbols have their own source of power. The reiki symbols will only have the power you give them. Reiki can never harm. The reiki symbols are never the source of the energy, you intent is.

The reiki symbols are only a tool used to focus and connect to a specific aspect of the Reiki energy. In order for the reiki symbols to work you must be attuned to them by a Reiki Master. During an attunement you are given the connection with the energy through the symbols and they are used to help you focus. The symbols were originally designed to help those who had very little experience with energy so that they could easily connect to the reiki energy. The reiki symbols are "training wheels" and once you had a good connection they were no longer needed. Do not rush to get rid of them till you have practice with the energy and feel comfortable, over time you may just suddenly discover your focus has changed and the intent of the energy is enough.

Sometimes it is possible to get caught up in the form the reiki symbols take, the drawing of them and the correct shape. There are lots of different variations of the symbols taught by practitioners which may be due to error in human memory passed on over time. The differences in symbols used by different practitioners do not matter and they will all work, it is your intent that matters.

The act of drawing them or visualizing them connects you with the energy immediately. You can meditate on each symbol to get a deeper meaning and use of each.

The first reiki symbol of the 3 learned at Level 2 Reiki is the power symbol called "Cho Ku Rei" and is used to focus the energy and used for protection.

Reiki symbols-Cho Ku Rei

Cho Ku Rei

The second reiki symbol added to Level 2 Reiki is the "Sei Hei Ki" or the emotional/mental symbol that heals the past/present/future, used to heal mental and emotional habits that don't work for you anymore. It can be used for emotional distress.

Reiki symbol-Sei Hei Ki

Sei Hei Ki

The last reiki symbol taught in Level 2 Reiki is "Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen", the Distant symbol and is used to connect during distant treatments and attunements. It enables us to send energies to others at a distance.

Reiki symbol-Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen

Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen

The "Dai Ko Mio" or the Master symbol is given at the Master/Teacher level and can be used in place of the previous 3 symbols. There are many variations with both Traditional and Modern representation.

Reiki symbol-Dai Ko Mio

Modern Dai Ko Mio

The last of the symbols given at the Master level is "Raku" and is used when attuning others or during a treatment. It grounds and seals in the energies at the end of the attunement or treatment.

Reiki symbol-Raku

Raku