Symbols of Reiki

The symbols of Reiki are amongst its most important features. Every practitioner worth their salt is required to understand the symbols, understand their usage and where they are required, and be able to draw them, and channel the Reiki energy that correspond to them correctly.

A major part of Reiki training comprises understanding of these symbols. Each symbol represents a certain state of mind. What this state of mind is, becomes known as you delve deeper into this discipline.

Without this knowledge, these symbols are nothing but the artwork of a child on paper.

In fact, there was a time, before the free-spirit renaissance brought on by the internet, when symbols were sought to be revealed only to learners of Reiki after they had been attuned into it through a proper ceremony.

At least, that was how Mrs. Takata (see chapter I) ordained it to be to her first batch of disciples outside Japan.

But the internet has changed all that. These symbols are now available on the web. Also, a temple on Mount Kurama (Japan) – where Dr. Mikao Usui attained enlightenment – too exhibits the Usui Reiki symbols quite prominently.

So, as you read on, do remember the powers that lie behind these symbols that are still hidden from you.

The Usui System of Natural Healing recognizes the following 4 symbols:

The Power Symbol or the Body Symbol:

Dr. Usui called this symbol – “Cho-ku-Rei”. It literally means – “Put the power here”, or “God is here”.

As the name suggests, the purpose of this symbol is to increase the power element in the recipient.

The Mental / Emotional Symbol or the Mind Symbol:

This symbol was called “Sei-He-Ki” by Sensei Usui. Literally, it means – “Key to the
universe”, or “Man and God becoming one”.

As the name of the symbol suggests, it represents energies required at the emotional and mental level; and its functions are purification, clearing and protection.

The Distance Symbol or Spirit Symbol:

Originally known as the “Hon-Sha-Ze-Sho-Nen” symbol, which literally means – “The Buddha in me reaches out to the Buddha in you to promote enlightenment and peace”.

This symbol is used for healing at a distance, as well as for healing in the past and the future.

The Usui Master Symbol:

This is the symbol that learners of Reiki strive to acquire knowledge of, since it represents the ultimate in Reiki evolution.

The original name of this symbol is “Dai-ko-Myo”, which means – “man-womanuniverse = whole energy”.
This symbol is used to pass attunements during the Initiation process from Guru to disciple.

Levels of Attainment in Reiki

There are three “levels of attainment” as taught in the traditional Usui System of Natural Healing. Each level is like a grade – you study in one grade, pass it, and go to the higher grade.

The important difference between the levels in Reiki and the school grades is that there are no exams that some external agency conducts for you. You are your own student; you are your own examiner. Whenever you feel you are ready for the next level, you begin learning it.

Following are the levels along with their brief description.

Level 1:

This is the basic level. Here, the learner develops the ability to heal oneself as well as heal others. Hand positions that are used when the client is physically present before the practitioner are discussed.

Level 2:

This level involves teaching three of the four symbols: the Power Symbol, the Mental / Emotional Symbol, and the Distance Symbol. It becomes possible for the practitioner to heal clients at a distance.

Level 3:

This level teaches the practitioner to heal add the fourth symbol – the Master Symbol – to their repertoire. It is at this stage that you really become a “Master”!

Some schools of thought break “level III” further to create a “level IV” too, where the Master practitioner becomes equipped to train and initiate other Reiki practitioners in this therapy.

Each of these levels has an inbuilt procedure known as “Attunement”, which is discussed in the next chapter.

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