The Five Reiki Symbols

There are five symbols used in the Usui Reiki attunement process. Four of these symbols are also used in healing treatments. There is a lot of mystery surrounding the five Reiki symbols because they have been closely guarded from non-practitioners.

The five Reiki symbols were revealed to Dr. Mikao Usui while meditating on Mt. Kuama. However, how he came to discover these symbols is still unknown. Some say he developed them on his own. Others say that he translated the five Reiki symbols from the knowledge revealed to him on the mountain by using his own written language, Japanese kanji. In Japan, kanji is the same as a written letter, word or phrase in Western handwriting. Kanji characters are pictograms that represent words or ideas.

Regardless of how he found them, Usui used the five Reiki symbols as tools for teaching his students. The symbols were used to help the students focus and hold intention while practicing Reiki.

The Five Reiki Symbols - Cho Ku Rei

The first of the five Reiki symbols is Cho Ku Rei. The English name for this symbol is the Power symbol. Its intention is to be used as a sort of light switch. The purposes of this Reiki symbol are manifestation, increased power, accelerated healing and creating a healing catalyst.

The Five Reiki Symbols - Sei Hei Ki

The second of the five Reiki symbols is Sei Hei Ki. The English name for this symbol is the Harmony symbol. Its intention is purification. The purposes of this Reiki symbol are cleansing, protection, mental healing and emotional healing.

The Five Reiki Symbols - Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen

The third of the five Reiki symbols is Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen. The English name for this symbol is the Connection symbol. Its intention is timelessness. The purposes of this Reiki symbol are distance healing, past/present/future healing, healing karma and spiritual connection.

The Five Reiki Symbols - Dai Ko Myo

The fourth of the five Reiki symbols is Dai Ko Myo. The English name for this symbol is the Master symbol. Its intention is enlightenment. The purposes of this Reiki symbol are empowerment, healing of the soul and oneness.

The Five Reiki Symbols - Raku

The fifth and last of the five Reiki symbols is Raku. The English name for this symbol is the Completion symbol. Its intention is grounding. The purposes of this Reiki symbol are Kundalini healing, hara connection and chakra alignment.