Traditional Reiki Symbols | Non-Traditional Reiki Symbols

In 1922, according to tradition, Sensei Mikao Usui meditated upon Mt Kurama seeking wisdom. While there he had a great revelation and was given the knowledge of what he came to call the Usui System of Natural Healing or Usui Reiki Ryoho. Later he added the 3 symbols taught during Reiki training.The Master Symbol was not used by Sensei Usui and it is thought that Dr Hayashi added that later.

In the systems of teaching developed by Dr Hayashi in Japan and by Mrs Takata in the Western world, the Reiki Levels were brought in and the symbols taught at the Second Degree, or Second Level, sometimes called a Reiki Practitioner.

As later Reiki traditions were founded and people have meditated on Reiki in their own practices new symbols have been revealed. These are what I call the non-traditional symbols.

Most Reiki Practitioners are taught to use the symbols in what Taggart King from Reiki Evolutions calls a Reiki Sandwich. Cho Ku Rei - Symbol - Cho Ku Rei

Experience has taught me that this isn't necessary.

My theory is that the Reiki Symbols, whether traditional or non-traditional, are icons and just like the icons on your computer, they provide a shortcut which links you to Reiki intentions. The important thing to remember here is that the Symbol is not the Intention. 

Cho Ku Rei

The Power Symbol

Activates and empowers, balances and cleanses.

Use this symbol to remove negativity and cleanse a space before doing Reiki. It can help to clear negative (or what I call stagnated energy) during a Reiki treatment.

Sei He Kei

Mental/Emotional Healing

Purifies and helps to release trapped emotions, useful for illnesses caused by stress or emotions connected to past events and traumas.

Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen

Distance healing

Absentee healing and healing across the space-time continuum. Allows the practitioner to heal someone across the room or across the world and send healing energy into the past or the future.

Symbols can be drawn mentally, physically or through gesture. I've even drawn them using eye movement. I've talked to more than one experienced Reiki Practitioner who told me that over time they found they didn't need to draw the symbol at all, they just needed to say it or think of it, or focus on the intention behind the symbol.

The Dai Ko Myo, or Master Symbol is used for meditation, for empowering Reiki to a higher vibrational level, and for attuning others. I've seen mention in one place that it should only be used for meditation, but I've used it during treatments on many occasions to good effect.

As with the other symbols, intention is everything.

Use this symbol to increase intuition, enhance soul healing and strengthen the aura.

As Reiki has grown and evolved in the Western world several new schools teaching Reiki have emerged, each with its own style of teaching and traditions. The founders and people within these schools have channeled or otherwise discovered new symbols which they teach within those Reiki schools. I call these the Non-Traditional Reiki Symbols.

If a symbol resonates for you, I would suggest learning more about it and the Reiki tradition to which it is connected.

Cho Ku Rei - reversed

This is used by some people in Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki for manifesting. I combine the reversed with the traditional Cho Ku Rei to create a doorway through which a journeyer can walk.

Tibetan Dai Ko Myo

Some substitute this symbol for the traditional Dai Ko Myo.They can be equally powerful so I suggest using whichever feels right to you.

Tibetan Fire Serpent

Cleanses and joins the chakras, represents the Kundalini energy and is used during the attunement process in some traditions.

 Raku

Used within some Reiki traditions to close the connection between the Reiki Master and student after an attunement.

 Zonar

Works across time to heal past-life issues.

Hado-nai

A Reiki symbol which was channeled by me during a Reiki meditation. It is the point between the physical and the non-physical self and a bridge between the two. Use it to connect to Spirit.