Fast facts
Spiral with lines
Flowing curves
Complex character
Elegant character
Japanese calligraphy
The Visual Shapes
What Each Symbol Looks Like
Each Reiki symbol has a distinct visual shape. The shapes carry meaning and purpose.
Cho Ku Rei is a spiral. Sei He Ki is flowing curves. Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen is a complex character. Dai Ko Myo is an elegant stroke.
The symbols are drawn in a Japanese calligraphy style. They are beautiful and meaningful.
Symbol Descriptions
What each symbol looks like.
- Cho Ku Rei: A spiral with a vertical line going through it and a horizontal line crossing it. Resembles a coiled spring or a target.
- Sei He Ki: Two flowing curved lines, one above the other, connected by a vertical stroke. Resembles flowing water or waves.
- Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen: A complex character drawn like a Japanese kanji. Composed of 5-7 strokes. The most complex of the symbols.
- Dai Ko Myo: An elegant flowing character with 4-5 strokes. Resembles a Japanese kanji. Beautiful and graceful.
Reiki Symbols Visual Guide
What each symbol looks like.
Cho Ku Rei
Spiral. Vertical line through it. Horizontal line crossing it. Resembles a target.
Sei He Ki
Two flowing curved lines. Vertical stroke connecting them. Resembles flowing water.
Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen
Complex character. 5-7 strokes. Resembles a Japanese kanji.
Dai Ko Myo
Elegant character. 4-5 strokes. Resembles a Japanese kanji.
The Power Symbol
What Cho Ku Rei Looks Like
Cho Ku Rei is a spiral. It has a vertical line going through it. It has a horizontal line crossing it.
The spiral resembles a coiled spring. The lines ground and stabilize the energy.
The shape looks like a target. It gathers and focuses power.
The Emotional Symbol
What Sei He Ki Looks Like
Sei He Ki is two flowing curved lines. One is above the other. They are connected by a vertical stroke.
The shape resembles flowing water or waves. It is soft and gentle.
The curves represent the flow of emotion. The vertical stroke brings balance.
The Distance Symbol
What Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen Looks Like
Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen is a complex character. It resembles a Japanese kanji.
It has 5-7 strokes. It is the most complex of the symbols.
The complexity represents the complexity of time and space.
The Master Symbol
What Dai Ko Myo Looks Like
Dai Ko Myo is an elegant flowing character. It resembles a Japanese kanji.
It has 4-5 strokes. It is beautiful and graceful.
The elegance represents the great shining light. It radiates warmth and power.
Key takeaways
- Cho Ku Rei is a spiral with vertical and horizontal lines.
- Sei He Ki is two flowing curves with a vertical stroke.
- Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen is a complex character with 5-7 strokes.
- Dai Ko Myo is an elegant character with 4-5 strokes.
- All symbols are drawn in a Japanese calligraphy style.
- Intention matters more than perfect form.
Frequently asked questions
What does Cho Ku Rei look like?
A spiral with a vertical line through it and a horizontal line crossing it. Resembles a target.
What does Sei He Ki look like?
Two flowing curved lines connected by a vertical stroke. Resembles flowing water.
What does Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen look like?
A complex character resembling a Japanese kanji with 5-7 strokes.
What does Dai Ko Myo look like?
An elegant character resembling a Japanese kanji with 4-5 strokes.
Are the symbols hard to draw?
With practice, they become natural. Intention matters more than perfect form.
Sources
- Frank Arjava Petter, Reiki Fire, 1997.
- Bronwen and Frans Stiene, The Reiki Sourcebook, 2003.
- Traditional Usui Reiki teachings.
