Reiki Symbols for Healing

So, what exactly is Reiki? Reiki is derived from two Japanese words, rei means universal and ki means spiritual healing energy. Reiki was developed by a Japanese Buddhist named Mikao Usui in 1922. He was performing Isyu Guo, a 21 day Buddhist training course on Mount Kurama. During this time, it is said that by a mystical revelation, Mikao Usui became aware about the spiritual power that can be applied and attuned to others. Then he developed this technique, and formed a society that helped in treating people with Reiki. He taught over 2000 people this technique, and his students continued their training in learning Reiki to a higher level. Today there are two main branches of Reiki, commonly called the traditional Japanese Reiki and the Western Reiki. Both branches of Reiki, have three forms of degrees, which are commonly called the First, Second and the Master degree. According to Reiki practitioners, the person who knows the First Degree is capable of healing themselves and other. The person who has learned till the Second Degree can heal others over a distance, with the use of specialized reiki symbols. And a person who has learned the Third Degree which is the Master Degree is able to teach and attune Reiki to other people.

The Reiki Symbols and Their Use

There are basically 5 symbols used in the Usui Reiki treatment technique. These symbols do not hold any special power in themselves, but the symbols were devised as teaching tools for the Reiki students to use while giving treatments or passing attunements.

01. Sei Hei Ki (The Harmony Reiki Symbol)
The symbol is intended for purification and used for cleansing, protection, emotional healing and mental healing purposes. Using Reiki for healing and cleansing, is done by the Harmony symbol. It symbolizes harmony, however this symbols will refuse to negotiate for an unfair outcome. This symbol is considered as a protective shield of armors, it gives courage to the disheartened, and helps the playing field. It is used for getting rid of addiction and expelling negative energies.

02. Cho Ku Rei (The Power Reiki Symbol)
This symbols is intended as a light switch. Its purposes are accelerated healing, increased power, manifestation and healing catalyst. The power symbol is used to increase power, and decrease the amount of power when it is used in reverse. It looks like a coil, meant to expand and retract the flow of ki energies.

03. Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen (The Connection Reiki Symbol)
This symbol intention is timelessness, and distant spiritual healing, healing karma and spiritual connection are its purposes. This symbol is best known for its extension powers, it is used when a practitioner is sending Reiki over a long distance. This symbol indicates shapeshifter, which can slip through time and space. This symbol is also called Pagoda, due to its tower like appearance.

04. Raku (The Completion Reiki Symbol)
This symbol is used for grounding, other purposes involve Kundalini healing, chakra alignment and hara connection. This symbol is solely used during the final stage of Reiki attunement process, it is intended for grounding and sealing the newly awakened Reiki energies. The symbol looks like a lightening bolt, which is drawn downwards from heaven to the earth.

05. Dai Ko Myo (The Master Reiki Symbol)
The master Reiki symbol is intended for enlightenment. Empowerment, soul healing and oneness are its purposes. This symbol represents 'all that is Reiki', or the hear of the Reiki. It is rarely used for any particular purpose, other than representing 'Reiki is love and available to everyone'.

These were the 5 important Reiki symbols used for healing. These symbols intention is what the practitioner tries to focus on when using them, that helps to energize the symbol.