Usui Reiki Symbols: Their Meanings and Uses in Reiki Healing

Reiki symbols are powerful tools used in Usui Reiki practice to enhance healing energy. These Reiki symbols act as keys, helping practitioners channel universal life force energy more effectively. While Reiki can work without these symbols, they serve as a means to focus and amplify the healing process. 

In this article, we’ll discuss the most significant Usui Reiki symbols and their meanings, offering an easy-to-understand guide on how they work in Reiki healing.

What Are Reiki Symbols?

Reiki symbols are sacred drawings that represent different energies within the Reiki system. Developed by Mikao Usui in the early 1900s in Japan, these symbols help Reiki practitioners to direct healing energy for specific purposes, whether it’s physical, emotional, or spiritual healing. Each symbol has its unique meaning and application in healing sessions, making them essential tools for Reiki practitioners.

The History and Origin of Usui Reiki Symbols

The Usui Reiki symbols are believed to have been rediscovered by Mikao Usui during a mystical experience on Mount Kurama in Japan. While some think these symbols have roots in Sanskrit sutras, their exact origin is still unclear. What is known is that these symbols are deeply connected to Japanese spiritual practices, such as Zen Buddhism, and have been used for centuries in various forms of healing.

The Importance of Reiki Symbols in Healing

The Usui Reiki symbols play a vital role in enhancing the Reiki healing process. They help practitioners focus the universal energy on specific areas of need, whether it’s for physical pain, emotional distress, or spiritual growth. While Reiki can work without symbols, using them brings a sense of purpose and direction to the healing energy, making sessions more effective.

Types of Usui Reiki Symbols 

Following are the 5 types of Usui reiki symbols that help to activate the reiki healing energy. 

1. Cho Ku Rei – The Power Symbol

Meaning of Cho Ku Rei

Cho Ku Rei translates to “Placing all the power of the Universe here, now.” This power symbol is one of the most widely used in Reiki. It enhances the flow of energy, increases healing power, and provides protection.

How to Use Cho Ku Rei

The symbol resembles a spiral or a coil. To activate its energy, the practitioner can draw or visualize the spiral over the affected area. Cho Ku Rei can clear energy blockages, balance the chakras, and protect the practitioner or client from negative energy. By visualizing it at the beginning of a Reiki session, the practitioner creates a protective shield, enhancing the healing process.

Read in detail about the Cho Ku Rei Symbol

2. Sei Hei Ki – The Emotional/Mental Healing Symbol

Meaning of Sei Hei Ki

Translated as “God and man become one,” Sei Hei Ki is used to heal emotional and mental issues, such as anxiety, depression, or trauma. It works by balancing the left and right sides of the brain, promoting emotional and mental clarity.

How to Use Sei Hei Ki

This mental/emotional symbol looks like a backward “Z” with a few additional curves. It can be drawn or visualized over the affected area or even placed under a pillow to promote emotional well-being. Reiki practitioners use it to release negative emotions and bring harmony between the conscious and subconscious minds.

Read More: Sei Hei Ki Reiki Symbol

3. Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen – The Distance Healing Symbol

Meaning of Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen

The meaning of Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen is “Without past, present, or future.” This distance symbol allows Reiki energy to transcend time and space, making it possible to send healing energy to people, places, or events that are far away.

How to Use Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen

With its complex form resembling Japanese Kanji characters, Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen can be visualized to heal distant individuals or situations. Reiki practitioners often use this symbol to send healing to past traumas, helping clients release negative energies that remain from previous experiences. It’s also useful for those wanting to connect with their inner personalities or deceased loved ones.

Read More: Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen Distance Healing Symbol

4. Dai Ko Myo – The Master Symbol

Meaning of Dai Ko Myo

Dai Ko Myo means “Great Shining Light.” It is the most powerful and sacred Reiki symbol, primarily used in Reiki attunements and spiritual healing. It helps to unlock higher levels of consciousness and connect with Holy spirit.

How to Use Dai Ko Myo

This master symbol is typically visualized during chakra balance, helping to heal the practitioner and connect with spiritual enlightenment. It enhances the effectiveness of other symbols, making it a vital tool for deep emotional, physical, and spiritual healing. Practitioners often use this symbol for clearing energy blockages and achieving balance on all levels—mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual.

Read More: Dai Ko Myo Master Symbol

5. Raku – The Completion Symbol

Meaning of Raku

Known as the completion symbol, Raku resembles a lightning spirit and is used during the final stage of a Reiki session. It grounds the energy and helps to seal all the positive energy absorbed during the healing process.

How to Use Raku

Though not a traditional Reiki symbol, Raku is used by some practitioners to ground both the client and themselves. It can also be used for protection against negative energy and psychic attacks. By drawing or visualizing this symbol from head to toe, the practitioner clears away any leftover negative energy, promoting stability and balance.

The Role of Intention in Reiki Symbols

While Reiki symbols are powerful, they do not hold energy on their own. Their true power comes from the intention of the Reiki practitioner. When a practitioner activates a symbol through visualization or drawing, it acts as a key to reveal the flow of Reiki energy. Intention plays a crucial role, as it helps to direct the energy to specific areas for healing, protection, or spiritual growth.

Why Reiki Symbols Are Kept Sacred

Usui Reiki symbols are often kept secret, only shared with those who are attuned to higher levels of Reiki. This tradition honours their sacredness and ensures that they are used with the respect they deserve. Reiki attunements link the practitioner’s energy with the symbols, enabling them to use these symbols for healing.

While Reiki symbols have been printed in books and online, their true power comes through proper training and attunement. Without this, the symbols are merely drawings with no real healing ability. Therefore, it’s essential to experience Reiki training to fully understand and utillize the power of these symbols.

Conclusion

The five main Reiki symbols—Cho Ku Rei, Sei Hei Ki, Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen, Dai Ko Myo, and Raku—each serve a unique purpose in the healing process. Whether used individually or in combination, these symbols allow practitioners to channel energy more effectively and provide natural healing to the mind, body, and spirit.

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