Reiki symbols
Reiki Symbols
A focused guide library for Reiki symbol meanings, uses, origins, and practice questions.
Start here when you want a clear explanation of Cho Ku Rei, Sei He Ki, Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen, Dai Ko Myo, Raku, and symbol use in Reiki.
29 Reiki guidesStart here
The fastest entry points for this Reiki topic.
Are Reiki Symbols Japanese?Yes, Reiki symbols are Japanese. They were developed by Mikao Usui in Japan in the 1920s. The symbols are drawn in a style that resembles Japanese...Are Reiki Symbols Sanskrit?No, Reiki symbols are not Sanskrit. They are Japanese. They are drawn in a style similar to Japanese Siddham (bonji) script, which is used in esote...Can Anyone Use Reiki Symbols?Traditionally, Reiki symbols are taught only after receiving an attunement at Level 2 (Okuden). The attunement opens the channel and activates the...Can You Tattoo Reiki Symbols?Tattooing Reiki symbols is controversial. In traditional Reiki, symbols are drawn and then dismissed. They are not meant to be displayed permanentl...Dai Ko Myo: The Reiki Master SymbolDai Ko Myo means 'great shining light.' It is the Reiki master symbol. Unlike the other symbols, Dai Ko Myo is not a tool. It represents the source...Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen: The Reiki Distance SymbolHon Sha Ze Sho Nen is the Reiki distance symbol. It means 'no past, no present, no future.' The symbol is used to send Reiki across space (distance...
Core Usui symbols
The traditional symbols most readers look up first.
Are Reiki Symbols Japanese?are guideDai Ko Myo: The Reiki Master Symbolwhat guideHon Sha Ze Sho Nen: The Reiki Distance Symbolwhat guideHow to Draw Cho Ku Reihow guideHow to Pronounce Reiki Symbolshow guideSei He Ki: The Reiki Emotional and Mental Symbolwhat guideWhat Are All Reiki Symbols?what guideWhat Are the Symbols of Usui Reiki?what guideWhat Do the Reiki Symbols Mean?what guideWhat Does Cho Ku Rei Mean?what guideWhat Does Dai Ko Myo Mean?what guideWhat Does Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen Mean?what guideWhat Does Sei He Ki Mean?what guide
Symbol practice
How symbols are used in self-healing and sessions.
Symbol lists
Broader symbol overviews and comparisons.
All guides
Every published guide currently filed under this topic.
Are Reiki Symbols Japanese?Yes, Reiki symbols are Japanese. They were developed by Mikao Usui in Japan in the 1920s. The symbols are drawn in a style that resembles Japanese Siddham (bonji) scri...Read guideAre Reiki Symbols Sanskrit?No, Reiki symbols are not Sanskrit. They are Japanese. They are drawn in a style similar to Japanese Siddham (bonji) script, which is used in esoteric Buddhist practic...Read guideCan Anyone Use Reiki Symbols?Traditionally, Reiki symbols are taught only after receiving an attunement at Level 2 (Okuden). The attunement opens the channel and activates the symbols. However, th...Read guideCan You Tattoo Reiki Symbols?Tattooing Reiki symbols is controversial. In traditional Reiki, symbols are drawn and then dismissed. They are not meant to be displayed permanently. Some traditions c...Read guideDai Ko Myo: The Reiki Master SymbolDai Ko Myo means 'great shining light.' It is the Reiki master symbol. Unlike the other symbols, Dai Ko Myo is not a tool. It represents the source of Reiki itself. Th...Read guideHon Sha Ze Sho Nen: The Reiki Distance SymbolHon Sha Ze Sho Nen is the Reiki distance symbol. It means 'no past, no present, no future.' The symbol is used to send Reiki across space (distance healing) and across...Read guideHow Do Reiki Symbols Work?Reiki symbols work by focusing intention and activating energy. When a practitioner draws or visualizes a symbol, they are setting a specific intention. The symbol act...Read guideHow Many Reiki Symbols Are There?Traditional Usui Reiki has four main symbols: Cho Ku Rei (power), Sei He Ki (emotional/mental), Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen (distance), and Dai Ko Myo (master). These are taugh...Read guideHow to Activate Reiki SymbolsTo activate Reiki symbols: focus your intention on the symbol you want to use. Draw it in the air with your hand, or visualize it in your mind. You can also draw it on...Read guideHow to Draw Cho Ku ReiTo draw Cho Ku Rei: start at the top. Draw a vertical line downward. From the bottom of the line, spiral upward clockwise three times, ending at the top. Then draw a h...Read guideHow to Draw Reiki Symbols Step by StepTo draw the four Reiki symbols: Cho Ku Rei (power symbol) is a vertical line with a clockwise spiral and a horizontal line. Sei He Ki (emotional symbol) is two flowing...Read guideHow to Pronounce Reiki SymbolsTo pronounce Reiki symbols: Cho Ku Rei (cho koo ray) - 'cho' as in 'choose,' 'ku' as in 'coo,' 'rei' as in 'ray.' Sei He Ki (say hay kee) - 'sei' as in 'say,' 'he' as...Read guideHow to Use Karuna Reiki SymbolsKaruna Reiki symbols are taught only to those who have received Karuna Reiki attunement (typically after Usui Reiki Master level). The 8 symbols include: Zonar (ground...Read guideHow to Use Reiki Symbols for Self HealingTo use Reiki symbols for self healing: draw the symbol on your body with your finger, visualize it, or state it silently. For physical pain, draw Cho Ku Rei on the pai...Read guideHow to Use Reiki Symbols: A Practical GuideTo use Reiki symbols: 1) Activate the symbol by drawing or visualizing it with intention. 2) Apply it by drawing it on the body, in the air, on paper, or by visualizin...Read guideRaku: The Reiki Grounding and Completion SymbolRaku is a Reiki symbol used in some Western lineages (particularly from William Lee Rand's ICRT). It is not part of traditional Usui Reiki. The symbol means 'fire' or...Read guideSei He Ki: The Reiki Emotional and Mental SymbolSei He Ki means 'the earth and sky meet.' It is the Reiki emotional and mental healing symbol. The symbol is used to heal emotional wounds (grief, anger, fear, sadness...Read guideWhat Are All Reiki Symbols?The complete list of Reiki symbols by lineage: Usui Reiki (4 symbols): Cho Ku Rei, Sei He Ki, Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen, Dai Ko Myo. Western Usui (adds 1): Raku (grounding sy...Read guideWhat Are Reiki Symbols Used For?Reiki symbols are used for four main purposes: Cho Ku Rei (power symbol) increases energy flow, provides protection, and grounds energy. Sei He Ki (emotional/mental sy...Read guideWhat Are the 5 Symbols of Reiki?Traditional Usui Reiki has four main symbols: Cho Ku Rei (power), Sei He Ki (emotional), Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen (distance), and Dai Ko Myo (master). Some Western tradition...Read guideWhat Are the 6 Symbols of Reiki?The '6 symbols of Reiki' typically refers to advanced Reiki systems like Karuna Reiki (which has 8 symbols total) or Holy Fire Reiki (which has several symbols beyond...Read guideWhat Are the Symbols of Usui Reiki?Usui Reiki has four main symbols: Cho Ku Rei (the power symbol) increases energy flow and protects. Sei He Ki (the emotional/mental symbol) heals emotional wounds and...Read guideWhat Do Reiki Symbols Look Like?The four Reiki symbols look like this: Cho Ku Rei (power symbol) is a spiral with a vertical line and a horizontal line through it. It resembles a coiled spring or a t...Read guideWhat Do the Reiki Symbols Mean?The four Reiki symbols mean: Cho Ku Rei (power symbol) means 'place the power of the universe here.' It increases energy flow and protects. Sei He Ki (emotional symbol...Read guideWhat Does Cho Ku Rei Mean?Cho Ku Rei means 'place the power of the universe here' or 'put the power of the universe here.' It is the Reiki power symbol. Its shape is a vertical line with a cloc...Read guideWhat Does Dai Ko Myo Mean?Dai Ko Myo means 'great shining light.' It is the fourth Reiki symbol, taught at Shinpiden (Level 3/Master level). It is the master symbol. It represents the source of...Read guideWhat Does Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen Mean?Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen means 'no past, no present, no future.' It is the third Reiki symbol taught at Okuden (Level 2). It is the distance symbol. It allows healing to be...Read guideWhat Does Sei He Ki Mean?Sei He Ki means 'the earth and sky meet.' It is the second Reiki symbol taught at Okuden (Level 2). It is the emotional and mental healing symbol. It heals emotional w...Read guideWhy Are Reiki Symbols Secret?Reiki symbols were traditionally kept secret for several reasons: to preserve their power and effectiveness, to ensure they were taught with proper respect and underst...Read guide