Reiki Symbols: How Many Are There and What Is Each One For
In Reiki practice, symbols are tools that practitioners use to give shape, structure, and greater effectiveness to the treatment. Each of these symbols has a specific function, and their application depends on the practitioner’s therapeutic purpose. In this article, we explore how many symbols exist, how they are used, and what role they play in the energetic practice of Reiki.
Table of Contents
- What Are Reiki Symbols And What Are They Used For?
- Origin And Evolution Of Reiki Symbols
- How Many Reiki Symbols Exist?
- The 5 Main Reiki Symbols And Their Function
- How Symbols Are Activated And Used In A Reiki Session
- Can Symbols Be Used Without Being Initiated Into Reiki?
- The Energy Behind The Symbols: Why Do They Work?
What Are Reiki Symbols And What Are They Used For?
Reiki symbols are energetic tools used by practitioners to channel and direct vital energy during a session. Each symbol is used with a specific purpose, such as balancing the body, calming the mind, or facilitating emotional healing. They are incorporated into the practice through visualization, hand-drawn gestures, or mental focus, and they assist in the healing process according to the goal the practitioner seeks to achieve.
Each of these symbols serves a specific function within the system. Some are designed to enhance the energy flow, others to release emotional blockages, relieve mental burdens, or even send Reiki to people who are not physically present. This functional diversity allows each session to be adapted to the recipient’s needs, working on different levels as required by the situation.
In addition to being support tools, the symbols give structure and direction to the therapeutic process. They are not used automatically but as part of a practice that requires attention, presence, and intention. Their strategic application allows the practitioner to guide the session more clearly, effectively, and with greater organization, deepening the effects of Reiki and facilitating a more holistic experience.
Origin And Evolution Of Reiki Symbols
The origin of Reiki symbols dates back to the late 19th century, when Mikao Usui developed this healing system in Japan. Usui integrated teachings from various spiritual traditions and meditative practices, from which the first symbols used in Usui Reiki emerged. These were transmitted privately, only to students who received direct initiations with the master.
Over time, the symbols began to spread beyond Japan thanks to Usui’s disciples and, later on, to the work of teachers like Hawayo Takata, who brought Reiki to the West. In this process of diffusion, the symbols were adapted, documented, and shared with a wider audience, which allowed Reiki to become established as a global practice.
Today, Reiki symbols are part of a path that has expanded far beyond its original lineage. Some contemporary schools have introduced additional symbols, either through channelings or personal adaptations, with the intention of broadening the possibilities of the practice.
How Many Reiki Symbols Exist?
The traditional Reiki system, known as Usui Reiki, is composed of four main symbols that are transmitted across different levels of training. Over time, a fifth symbol was added, which eventually became consolidated in many modern schools as part of the essential set.
In current practice, it is considered that the five essential symbols are: Cho Ku Rei, Sei He Ki, Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen, Dai Ko Myo, and Raku.
Beyond these five, various branches have added their own, derived, or complementary symbols, resulting in a wide range of approaches. Nevertheless, the symbols of Usui Reiki remain the most widely taught and used around the world, as they represent the original structure on which most Reiki systems are built.
The 5 Main Reiki Symbols And Their Function
In Usui Reiki, five symbols are used to represent essential aspects of the practice: power, harmony, distance healing, mastery, and energetic closure. Each one plays a specific role and is integrated at different points in the therapy to enhance energy flow, balance emotions, work with consciousness, and complete the healing process in an orderly way.
Cho Ku Rei is the symbol used to intensify and concentrate vital energy. It is applied to reinforce any treatment—whether physical, mental, or emotional—and is often used at the beginning of a session to increase Reiki’s strength. Its spiral shape acts as a channel that directs energy toward the area where greater intensity is needed, working as a force amplifier.
Beyond its role as an enhancer, it is also used to cleanse and protect spaces, as well as to seal the energy in the receiver at the end of the session. Thanks to its versatility, Cho Ku Rei is considered an indispensable resource that complements the action of the other symbols and provides safety and stability to every practice.
Sei He Ki is related to the balance between mind and emotions and is used when the goal is to release internal blockages that generate tension or discomfort. Its shape represents the union of the brain hemispheres and promotes integration between the rational and the intuitive, making it an effective tool to achieve states of calm and mental clarity.
This symbol is especially helpful in cases of anxiety, stress, or recurring thought patterns. It is also used to enhance memory, improve communication, and harmonize personal relationships. By balancing the inner planes, Sei He Ki allows energy to flow more freely, creating a state of holistic well-being.
Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen allows Reiki to be sent to people or situations regardless of physical distance or time. This makes it a key tool for distance healing, as it connects the practitioner with the recipient without the need for physical presence. Its energy is also used to work on past memories and experiences that still affect the present.
Likewise, this symbol is used to project energy toward future goals or situations, bringing clarity and balance to the path ahead. By transcending the barriers of space and time, Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen expands the reach of Reiki and opens the possibility of working in more subtle planes of existence.
Dai Ko Myo is considered the master symbol in Reiki and is associated with deep healing and spiritual connection. It acts on a high level of consciousness, allowing it to release deeply rooted patterns and support personal transformation processes. It is used both in therapeutic practice and in the initiation of new practitioners.
Its energy is primarily directed toward strengthening the spirit and integrating body, mind, and soul. Working with this symbol stimulates energetic regeneration and reinforces connection with one’s life purpose. For this reason, Dai Ko Myo is seen as a tool for inner expansion that fosters personal evolution and openness to a higher state of harmony.
Raku is the symbol used to conclude a Reiki session, as its main function is to seal and stabilize the energy received by the recipient. Its downward shape helps to anchor energy in the physical body, ensuring it remains grounded and does not dissipate after the session ends. In doing so, it brings a sense of completion and balance following the work done.
During initiations, Raku plays an important role in consolidating the energy transmitted from master to student. It also establishes a clear energetic boundary that protects both the practitioner and the recipient after the session. Thanks to this closing function, the Raku symbol ensures the integration of the therapeutic experience in a stable and organized way.
How Symbols Are Activated And Used In A Reiki Session
During a Reiki session, symbols are activated through the practitioner’s conscious intention. This can be done by visualizing the symbol in the mind, drawing it in the air with the hand, or mentally projecting it toward the area to be treated. What matters is not the precision of the drawing, but the connection established with the symbol’s purpose.
Once activated, the symbol integrates into the Reiki energy flow and directs the corresponding vibration to the specific body area, emotion, or situation being worked on. For example, some symbols are applied at the beginning of the session to enhance the energy, while others are used at specific moments to address emotional blocks or promote relaxation.
The use of symbols is not rigid—it depends on the practitioner’s preference and sensitivity. Several symbols can be used in combination during the same session, depending on the recipient’s needs. This gives flexibility to the treatment and allows the practice to be personalized for a deeper and more balanced effect.
Can Symbols Be Used Without Being Initiated Into Reiki?
In Reiki, initiation is a process in which a master transmits to the student the ability to channel and work with vital energy. In most courses and books, it is taught that without this step, symbols do not function as simple drawings that just anyone can use. According to this view, their effectiveness is linked to the initiation, which opens the conscious connection with energy through them. Without this activation, the symbols are considered to be only graphic representations without the same therapeutic strength.
However, some believe that anyone can benefit from meditating with the symbols, even without having received formal initiation. From this perspective, they are seen as forms that contain their own resonance field, capable of influencing the practitioner’s mind and emotions. While their impact may not be as deep as in traditional Reiki, they are still recognized as useful tools for finding calm and personal focus.
In truth, how their use is understood depends on the school, the teacher, and the practitioner’s experience. While some insist initiation is essential, others argue that the symbols are accessible to anyone who approaches them with respect and awareness. Both perspectives agree that they are not mere decorative drawings, but intention-charged expressions that can influence the inner experience of the one using them.
The Energy Behind The Symbols: Why Do They Work?
Reiki symbols work because they act as keys that allow access to specific energetic frequencies. Each one is designed to focus the practitioner’s intention and connect with a particular aspect of vital energy—whether to amplify, harmonize, or direct it remotely. This interaction between form, intention, and energy is what gives them effectiveness in therapeutic practice.
From an energetic perspective, symbols operate as patterns that organize and channel universal vibration. When used, the practitioner does not create the energy, but facilitates its flow toward a specific goal. This explains why combining the symbols with conscious intention can lead to perceptible effects on the body, mind, and emotions.
Their function can also be interpreted through more modern frameworks of understanding. Sciences that study energy and consciousness suggest that symbols work as bridges between the mind and the energetic reality around us. In this sense, they are not only spiritual tools but mechanisms of interaction with subtle fields still under exploration.
This principle can be related to contemporary approaches investigating the nature of energy and consciousness. In the series Quantum Effect, available on Gaia, Randy Veitenheimer explores how we live in a vast energy field and how consciousness influences our reality. His teachings offer a complementary vision that helps explain why tools like Reiki symbols can have an impact on our everyday experience.
About the Author
How to Protect Yourself from Psychic Attacks
Psychic attacks may manifest in the dream world or through energetic impacts on the body in the waking world. They are mental intrusions, efforts from free-floating energies or specific people, to enter your psyche and make some kind of detrimental impact or extract information.
Try not to fear since 1) the greatest defense tool is the power of love and light; 2) negative energies thrive in the presence of negative thoughts or emotions. And 3) we will provide psychic protection using the principles of love and positivity. Some psychic attacks require embodied warrior energy, the assistance of professional healers and shamans, or both. Before getting into psychic self-defense, we need to explore and understand what psychic attacks are and how to identify them.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Psychic Attack?
- Signs of a Psychic Attack
- Types of Psychic Attacks
- 5 Practices to Protect Yourself From a Psychic Attack
What Is a Psychic Attack?
A psychic attack refers to a phenomenon in which negative or harmful energies, intentions, or influences are directed toward an individual’s energetic or psychic space. These attacks are often believed to be carried out by individuals who possess psychic or metaphysical abilities, intending to cause harm, discomfort, or disruption to the target’s well-being.
Signs of a Psychic Attack
The impact of a psychic attack on someone can be significant and varied, affecting them on multiple levels:
- Emotional distress: Psychic attacks can trigger intense and unexplained emotional turmoil, such as sudden mood swings, anxiety, fear, or depression. The victim may experience heightened emotional sensitivity and find it challenging to manage their feelings.
- Energy drain: Psychic attacks can lead to a sense of exhaustion and fatigue that isn’t easily explainable by physical reasons. This drain on energy can leave the victim feeling depleted and lacking vitality.
- Physical symptoms: Some people believe that psychic attacks can manifest as physical symptoms, such as headaches, body aches, and other discomforts that have no apparent medical cause.
- Disrupted thoughts: The victim might experience persistent negative thoughts, mental fog, or confusion. Their ability to focus, make decisions, or think clearly can be compromised.
- Sleep disturbances: Psychic attacks can also disrupt sleep patterns, leading to insomnia, nightmares, or a general sense of restlessness during sleep.
- Relationship strain: The negative energies from psychic attacks can impact personal relationships, causing misunderstandings, conflicts, and an overall sense of disconnect from loved ones.
- Spiritual imbalance: For those who are spiritually inclined, psychic attacks can disrupt their connection to their inner selves, higher consciousness, or spiritual practices. This can lead to feelings of spiritual emptiness or detachment.
- Blockages and obstacles: Psychic attacks may create barriers in the victim’s life, hindering their progress in various areas such as career, relationships, and personal growth.
It’s important to note that while belief in psychic attacks varies widely, the psychological and emotional impact experienced by individuals who feel they are under such attacks is real.
Types of Psychic Attacks
The concept of psychic attacks encompasses a variety of negative energetic or psychic influences that can impact an individual. While views about them vary across cultures and belief systems, here are some common types often discussed:
- Thought form projection: This type involves someone intentionally directing negative thoughts, emotions, or intentions toward a target. These projected energies can create a sense of discomfort or distress for the recipient.
- Energy vampirism: Energy vampires are believed to draw and drain the life force or vital energy of others. These individuals may have a chronic need for attention, validation, or energy, leaving the victim feeling depleted and drained.
- Curses and hexes: Curses are believed to be intentional acts where negative energies or intentions are invoked to cause harm to the recipient. Hexes are similar, with the intent of causing misfortune, bad luck, or suffering.
- Psychic cording: Psychic cords are energetic connections between individuals, often formed through emotional interactions. Negative cords can drain a person’s energy and make them feel controlled or manipulated by another person.
- Evil eye: The evil eye is a belief that someone can cast a negative gaze upon another person, inadvertently causing harm or misfortune. The recipient might experience bad luck, illness, or emotional distress as a result.
- Black magic or dark rituals: These involve the use of occult practices to harness and direct negative energies toward a specific individual. The intention is often to harm or control the victim.
- Telepathic attacks: These attacks involve sending harmful or negative thoughts directly into a person’s mind through telepathic means, causing psychological distress.
- Spirit attachment: Some believe that negative entities or spirits can attach themselves to an individual, leading to emotional, mental, and physical disturbances.
- Environmental energy influences: Certain places or environments are believed to carry negative energies that can affect individuals who spend time there. This can lead to feelings of discomfort, unease, and negativity.
- Dream manipulation: Psychic attacks can also occur in dreams, where negative entities or energies disrupt sleep, cause nightmares, or create feelings of fear and anxiety upon waking.
Regardless of one’s beliefs, addressing these forms of psychic attack typically requires practicing self-care, emotional resilience, and these simple yet effective practices.
