About the Reiki Symbols and How To Draw Them

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 thought by some to have been part of a much older Tibetan Buddhist practice, and others believe that they were never part of the older Buddhist practice. It is believed that Usui who was studying Buddhism adapted the symbols for use in his system. With all of the conflicting 'evidence' out there on websites and in books I've read, it's hard to tell who is right and who is wrong. And I find it to be a moot point, to say the least. The symbols work regardless of their origin and this may have to do more with a Reiki practitioner's intent than any inherent power within the symbol itself.

In the Western Traditional practice of Reiki the symbols that are learned as part of 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 variations of 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. Secrecy is not part of the non-traditional Reiki teachings to date. And any sacredness within the symbols themselves (or their inherent energy) is intact whether they are seen before or after an attunement.

There are some Reiki Masters who teach that seeing the symbols prior to be attuned to Level 2 Reiki will stop the attunement process. I have found this not to be true. In distance attunements, I send manuals and the materials to students to read and the symbols are part of these materials. Students practice drawing the symbols prior to being attuned and they are attuned with as much success as those who come to be attuned in person, having never seen the symbols previously.

I leave this to each individual person to decide for themselves whether to keep these symbols a secret from students. I have chosen not to keep them secret, while still teaching the incredible sacredness of them through their use in Reiki healing and for attunements.

But what remains true in most circumstances is that, 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 that energy. 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.

Cho-Ku-Rei (cho-ku-ray)

Cho = Connect the Ku = Power, Energy with Rei = The Soul, The Universe, The Unity

In other words: 'Let all the power of the Universe be here' or 'God is here'. This is the symbol used to connect with the energy at the beginning of a session, and to increase power/energy where needed during a session. Further it is used to empower anything you want, like your medicines, crystals, food and drinks, machines and tools you work with, etc. Cho Ku Rei increases the power of all other symbols you use. Another important use of this symbol is cleaning a space or clearing up negative energies, for instance in a bad situation. In situations where drawing the symbol would be awkward, you can simply close your eyes, see the symbol and draw it with your tongue on the roof of your mouth. It can be used for protection of yourself or your properties, because the great amount of light you call in with Cho Ku Rei dispels or keeps away negativity. And it seals in light energy when drawn at the end of a healing. Sometimes the Cho Ku Rei is drawn opposite with the spiral clockwise; this is a matter of preference. The symbol works with either way of drawing.

Sei He Kei (say-hay-key)

Sei = I point He = the Bow, Arrow to Ki = Life-force, Light, Awareness

This strange symbol looks like a human head with two bumps on the places of the eighth chakra (the cosmic chakra where divinity connects with our physical existence and place of the soul akasha) and the tenth chakra (place of mystical talents and inner sight). Therefore alternative meanings of the Sei He Ki are 'Remember Your Self' and 'God and humanity becoming one'. Pointing your arrow to awareness means bringing your attention to your feelings, emotions, patterns and psychology in order to understand and heal them. Sei He Ki restores emotional balance and harmony. Please understand that many diseases and problems have their roots in negative emotions and false beliefs. This symbol is used for the healing of bad habits, addictions, emotional trauma and heavy feelings like anger, frustration or jealousy. That makes this symbol another good one against bad vibrations and negative entities. A good symbol for inner calmness and the release of blockages

Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen (hone-sha-zay-show-nen)

Hon = Spirit, Source, Origin, Universe Sha = Mind, Surviving Ze = Space, Be, Being Sho = Feeling, Emotions Nen = Consciousness, Body, Attention

It is not difficult to discover the various levels of existence in the meanings of this symbol. Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen makes the connection between Spirit and Body, heaven and earth, and is therefore known as 'The Bridge' or 'The Path'. It travels through time and space to fulfill its function and is commonly known as the Distance symbol. You can heal absent persons with it or send energy to a situation or relationship. You can treat a cause rooted in the past with it, and it can change thought patterns (mental healing), what makes it a perfect symbol for karmic healing. Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen connects your higher self with the higher self of the one you send energy; 'The Divine in me greets and honors the Divine in you'.

Dai Ko Myo (dye-ko-mio) The Master Symbol

This representation of this symbol is the traditional Usui Dai Ko Myo and  means Great Shining Light. Through the master initiation you'll reach a strong connection with Spirit, Source, Higher Self, the divine light which nurtures itself and wishes to spread to nurture others. The Dai Ko Myo is the strongest reiki symbol and it can replace (if you choose) all the others. Once you have been attuned to this symbol it is strongly advised to use it with all your reiki works. Your energy work will receive an extra boost and you constantly draw this strong energy through your energetic system. The Dai Ko Myo is the symbol which transmits the reiki attunements, initiations and empowerments.