Fast facts
Place the power of the universe here
The earth and sky meet
No past, no present, no future
Great shining light
Meanings set intention
The Meanings
Understanding the Reiki Symbols
Each Reiki symbol has a meaning. The meaning sets the intention. The intention focuses the energy.
Cho Ku Rei means 'place the power of the universe here.' Sei He Ki means 'the earth and sky meet.'
Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen means 'no past, no present, no future.' Dai Ko Myo means 'great shining light.'
Symbol Meanings
What each symbol means.
- Cho Ku Rei: 'Place the power of the universe here.' The power symbol. It brings in universal energy. It protects and grounds.
- Sei He Ki: 'The earth and sky meet.' The emotional symbol. It brings harmony between the spiritual and physical. It heals emotions.
- Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen: 'No past, no present, no future.' The distance symbol. It transcends time and space. It connects across distance.
- Dai Ko Myo: 'Great shining light.' The master symbol. It represents the source of Reiki. It is used for attunements and spiritual connection.
Reiki Symbol Meanings
What each symbol means.

Cho Ku Rei
Place the power of the universe here. Power. Protection. Grounding.
Sei He Ki
The earth and sky meet. Emotional healing. Mental patterns. Balance.
Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen
No past, no present, no future. Distance healing. Transcends time and space.
Dai Ko Myo
Great shining light. Master symbol. Attunements. Spiritual connection.
The Power Symbol
Cho Ku Rei Meaning
Cho Ku Rei means 'place the power of the universe here.' It is the power symbol.
It brings in universal energy. It increases energy flow. It provides protection. It grounds the energy.
The meaning sets the intention. When you draw Cho Ku Rei, you are calling in power.
The Emotional Symbol
Sei He Ki Meaning
Sei He Ki means 'the earth and sky meet.' It is the emotional symbol.
It brings harmony between the spiritual and physical. It heals emotional wounds. It releases mental patterns.
The meaning sets the intention. When you draw Sei He Ki, you are healing emotions.
The Distance Symbol
Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen Meaning
Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen means 'no past, no present, no future.' It is the distance symbol.
It transcends time and space. It allows healing across distance. It connects to past and future.
The meaning sets the intention. When you draw Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen, you are connecting across distance.
The Master Symbol
Dai Ko Myo Meaning
Dai Ko Myo means 'great shining light.' It is the master symbol.
It represents the source of Reiki. It is used for attunements. It deepens spiritual connection.
The meaning sets the intention. When you draw Dai Ko Myo, you are connecting to the source.
Key takeaways
- Cho Ku Rei: 'Place the power of the universe here.' Power, protection, grounding.
- Sei He Ki: 'The earth and sky meet.' Emotional healing, mental patterns, balance.
- Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen: 'No past, no present, no future.' Distance healing, transcends time and space.
- Dai Ko Myo: 'Great shining light.' Master symbol, attunements, spiritual connection.
- The meanings set the intention.
- The symbols work through intention.
Frequently asked questions
What does Cho Ku Rei mean?
Place the power of the universe here. It is the power symbol.
What does Sei He Ki mean?
The earth and sky meet. It is the emotional symbol.
What does Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen mean?
No past, no present, no future. It is the distance symbol.
What does Dai Ko Myo mean?
Great shining light. It is the master symbol.
Why are the meanings important?
The meanings set the intention. The intention focuses the energy.
Sources
- Frank Arjava Petter, Reiki Fire, 1997.
- Bronwen and Frans Stiene, The Reiki Sourcebook, 2003.
- Traditional Usui Reiki teachings.





