Reiki Symbols & Meanings: Cho Ku Rei, Sei He Ki, Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen & Dai Ko Myo
The four traditional Reiki symbols amplify power, heal emotions, bridge distance, and unlock master-level energy. Learn each symbol's meaning, Japanese origins, drawing technique, and practical applications from Cho Ku Rei to Dai Ko Myo.
What Is Cho Ku Rei and How Does the Power Symbol Work?
Cho Ku Rei is the first symbol taught at Level 2 and is known as the power symbol or light switch. Its name translates roughly to "place the power of the universe here" or "God is here." The symbol consists of a horizontal line, a vertical line dropping down, and then a coil spiraling inward toward the center, typically drawn counterclockwise in three and a half turns. When activated, Cho Ku Rei amplifies the flow of Reiki energy, functioning like a dimmer switch turned to full power. It is the most versatile of the four symbols and is used at the beginning and end of every Reiki session to increase energy flow. Practitioners draw Cho Ku Rei over their palms before treating to boost power, over each hand position during treatment to deepen the energy, and at the end of the session to seal the healing. Beyond treatment, Cho Ku Rei is used for energetic cleansing (drawn in rooms to clear stagnant energy), protection (visualized around the body or home), manifesting intentions (drawn over written affirmations), and empowering food and water. It is the foundation upon which the other symbols build.
The origins of Cho Ku Rei are debated among Reiki historians. Some trace it to Shinto practices, where spirals represent the flow of universal energy. Others note its resemblance to the Buddhist cintamani (wish-fulfilling jewel) symbol. Frank Arjava Petter's research in Japan suggests that Usui may have derived the symbol from practices in the Tendai Buddhist temple on Mount Kurama. The spiral form appears across many spiritual traditions: the Celtic triple spiral at Newgrange, the Hindu bindu point at the center of the Sri Yantra, and the spiraling galaxies that mirror the symbol's form at a cosmic scale. Some lineages teach drawing Cho Ku Rei clockwise to increase energy and counterclockwise to decrease it. The Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai teaches a single direction. William Rand of the International Center for Reiki Training notes that the symbol works regardless of direction because intent guides the energy, though practitioners should learn and practice the direction taught by their specific lineage.
How do you draw Cho Ku Rei correctly?
Start with a horizontal line from left to right. Drop a vertical line straight down from the middle of the horizontal line. From the bottom of the vertical line, spiral counterclockwise inward in three and a half turns, ending at a point near the center of the vertical line. The whole symbol should take one continuous, flowing motion. Say "Cho Ku Rei" three times as you draw or immediately after.
When should you use Cho Ku Rei during a treatment?
Draw Cho Ku Rei at the start of a session over each palm and over the recipient's body to initiate strong energy flow. Use it at each hand position transition to boost the energy at the new location. Draw it at the end of the session to seal the healing energy in place. You can also use it mid-treatment whenever you sense the energy flow weakening or when Byosen scanning reveals an area needing extra power.
Can Cho Ku Rei be used outside of Reiki treatments?
Yes. Draw Cho Ku Rei over food and water before consuming to clear negative energy. Visualize it on the walls, ceiling, and floor of a room to cleanse and protect the space. Place it over a written intention or goal to empower it. Draw it over your car before driving for protection. Some practitioners use it before important conversations or meetings to amplify positive energy and clear the energetic space.
What Is Sei He Ki and How Does the Emotional Healing Symbol Work?
Sei He Ki is the second Reiki symbol, known as the mental-emotional symbol or harmony symbol. Its name translates approximately to "God and humanity become one" or "the earth and sky meet." The symbol resembles a wave or the left half of a brain, with a flowing S-curve topped by a cap-like stroke. Sei He Ki addresses the emotional and mental layers of the energy body, making it the primary tool for treating anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, anger, negative thought patterns, and emotional trauma. When activated, it brings the conscious and subconscious minds into alignment, allowing suppressed emotions to surface gently for processing and release. Practitioners use Sei He Ki whenever a client presents with emotional or psychological symptoms. It is drawn over the head and heart positions to facilitate emotional clearing. It can be combined with Cho Ku Rei (drawn first to amplify power, then Sei He Ki to direct that power to the emotional body). Sei He Ki is also used for breaking negative habits, improving memory and focus, establishing emotional boundaries, and harmonizing relationships.
The form of Sei He Ki bears a notable resemblance to the Sanskrit seed syllable "hrih," associated with Amitabha Buddha and the quality of compassion. Some Reiki historians, including Frank Arjava Petter, have suggested that Usui derived several of the Reiki symbols from Sanskrit or Siddham script used in Tendai and Shingon Buddhism, the esoteric Buddhist traditions he studied. Regardless of origin, the symbol's psychological applications are well-documented in Reiki clinical practice. Practitioners report that Sei He Ki frequently triggers emotional release in clients: tears, laughter, memories surfacing, or a sensation of heaviness lifting from the chest. This aligns with somatic psychology's understanding that emotions are stored in the body and can be released through bodywork and energy healing. Bessel van der Kolk's research on trauma and the body supports the principle that non-verbal, body-based interventions can access emotional material that talk therapy alone may not reach.
How do you draw Sei He Ki?
Begin with a curved stroke from left to right at the top, creating a cap shape. Then draw a flowing S-curve or wave descending from the cap, moving from the left side down and curving to the right, then back to the left, ending at the bottom. The overall shape resembles a stylized wave or the left hemisphere of the brain. Say "Sei He Ki" three times as you complete the drawing.
When is Sei He Ki most needed during a treatment?
Use Sei He Ki when you sense strong emotional energy during a treatment, when the client reports emotional distress, when working on the heart or solar plexus positions, when treating anxiety or depression, when addressing grief or trauma, and when the client is processing relationship issues. It is especially effective combined with the heart and third eye positions, bridging emotional and mental healing simultaneously.
Can Sei He Ki help with addiction and habit breaking?
Yes. Sei He Ki addresses the emotional and subconscious patterns that drive addictive behaviors. Draw the symbol while placing hands on the head to reprogram mental habits, and on the solar plexus and heart to address the emotional void that addiction often attempts to fill. Reiki is not a substitute for addiction treatment programs but can be a powerful complement to counseling, support groups, and medical care.
How does Sei He Ki interact with the subconscious mind?
Sei He Ki is believed to create a bridge between the conscious and subconscious minds, similar to how hypnotherapy accesses deeper mental layers. By harmonizing these two levels of awareness, suppressed memories, beliefs, and emotional patterns can surface safely for conscious processing. This is why emotional release is common when Sei He Ki is used. The symbol creates a gentle, gradual opening rather than a forced or overwhelming exposure.
What Is Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen and How Does Distance Healing Work?
Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen is the third and most complex Reiki symbol, known as the distance or connection symbol. Its name translates to "the Buddha in me reaches out to the Buddha in you" or "having no present, past, or future." This symbol enables Reiki practitioners to send healing energy across any distance and through time. It consists of approximately 22 brush strokes forming a vertical composition of Japanese kanji characters. When activated, Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen creates an energetic bridge between the practitioner and the recipient regardless of physical separation. The symbol works on the principle that at the deepest level of reality, separation is an illusion and all points in space and time are connected. Practitioners use it to send Reiki to people in other locations (distance healing), to send Reiki to past traumas (healing the root cause of present symptoms), and to send Reiki to future events (preparing energetically for upcoming challenges). The symbol essentially removes the limitations of physical proximity that normally apply to hands-on healing.
The concept behind Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen has intriguing parallels in modern physics. Quantum entanglement describes a phenomenon where particles that have interacted remain correlated regardless of distance, with changes to one instantly reflected in the other, what Einstein called "spooky action at a distance." While drawing a direct equivalence between Reiki and quantum physics oversimplifies both, the principle that connection transcends physical distance resonates with quantum theory's challenge to classical Newtonian space-time. The kanji characters that compose Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen individually mean: hon (origin, source), sha (person), ze (correct, right), sho (correct nature), nen (thought, mindfulness). Together they express the idea of the correct thought reaching the origin of a person's true nature. Frank Arjava Petter traces the symbol's components to Buddhist Siddham script and notes that the complexity of the symbol (the most intricate of the four) reflects the complexity of the concept it embodies: transcending the fundamental human experience of separation.
How do you draw Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen?
Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen is the most complex symbol, consisting of approximately 22 strokes forming stacked kanji characters. The exact form varies slightly between lineages. Learn the specific version taught by your Reiki Master, as small variations exist. Draw the symbol in the air or visualize it while saying the name three times. Due to its complexity, many practitioners find it easier to visualize the complete symbol rather than drawing it stroke by stroke each time.
Can distance Reiki really work across long distances?
Practitioners consistently report that distance Reiki produces effects comparable to in-person treatment, with recipients reporting warmth, tingling, relaxation, and emotional release at the agreed-upon time. A small number of studies have investigated distance healing with mixed results. The mechanism remains scientifically unexplained. Skeptics attribute reported effects to placebo and expectation. Believers point to quantum entanglement as a possible mechanism. Personal experience through practice is the most common path to conviction.
How do you send Reiki to past events?
Activate Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen and state your intention to send Reiki to a specific past event, such as a childhood trauma or a difficult experience. Visualize the event and allow Reiki to flow into it. You are not changing the past but shifting your energetic and emotional relationship to it. This technique parallels EMDR therapy's reprocessing of traumatic memories. Many practitioners report that sending Reiki to past events produces noticeable shifts in how they feel about those experiences.
What Is Dai Ko Myo and What Makes the Master Symbol Special?
Dai Ko Myo is the fourth Reiki symbol, known as the Master symbol, and is traditionally taught only during Master-level training. Its name translates to "great shining light" or "great enlightenment." The symbol represents the highest vibration of Reiki energy, connecting the practitioner to the source of universal life force at its purest level. Dai Ko Myo works primarily on the spiritual level, facilitating soul-level healing, spiritual awakening, and deep transformation. Where Cho Ku Rei works on the physical level, Sei He Ki on the emotional-mental level, and Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen on the connective level, Dai Ko Myo integrates all levels and adds the spiritual dimension. It is used during attunement ceremonies to transmit Reiki ability to students, for the deepest levels of healing that address karmic patterns and soul wounds, in meditation for spiritual development and enlightenment, and to empower the other three symbols. When a Master activates Dai Ko Myo, the energy is described as finer, lighter, and more penetrating than the other symbols, reaching the deepest layers of being.
Two versions of Dai Ko Myo are commonly taught. The Usui version is a complex kanji character meaning "great bright light," composed of strokes representing the sun, moon, and earth unified. The Tibetan version, introduced by Arthur Robertson and popularized by Diane Stein and William Rand, is a simpler, more flowing symbol that some practitioners find easier to draw and visualize. Both versions are considered effective by their respective lineages. Hiroshi Doi reports that the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai uses the traditional kanji form and considers it an essential part of the Master-level teaching. The spiritual dimension of Dai Ko Myo connects to the Buddhist concept of daikōmyō (great light), which appears in esoteric Buddhist (Mikkyo) practices that Usui studied. In Shingon Buddhism, the great light represents the illumination of Mahavairochana Buddha, the cosmic Buddha whose light pervades all existence. Usui's adaptation of this concept into a healing symbol reflects his synthesis of Buddhist spirituality with practical healing methodology.
When should Dai Ko Myo be used in treatment?
Dai Ko Myo is reserved for the deepest healing work: chronic conditions that have not responded to other treatments, spiritual crises, soul-level wounds, and karmic patterns. It is also used at the start of a session to set the highest possible vibration, during attunements to transmit Reiki ability, and in personal meditation for spiritual growth. Some Masters use it in every session; others reserve it for cases that specifically call for spiritual-level intervention.
How does Dai Ko Myo differ from the other three symbols?
While Cho Ku Rei amplifies physical healing, Sei He Ki addresses emotions, and Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen transcends distance, Dai Ko Myo operates on the soul or spiritual level and integrates all other levels simultaneously. Its vibration is described as finer and more encompassing. It does not replace the other symbols but adds a dimension that the others cannot access on their own. Think of it as the umbrella symbol that contains and transcends the other three.
Can non-Master practitioners use Dai Ko Myo?
Traditionally, Dai Ko Myo is only taught and activated during Master-level attunement. Without this attunement, drawing the symbol may have meditative or contemplative value but will not carry the full Master-level energy. Some practitioners encounter the symbol through books or online and attempt to use it before Master training. Most lineages advise against this, not because it is dangerous, but because the Master attunement is what activates the symbol's full potential.
How Do You Practice Drawing and Activating Reiki Symbols Effectively?
Developing proficiency with Reiki symbols requires regular practice of drawing, visualizing, and activating them. Begin by learning each symbol's exact form from your Reiki Master, practicing the physical drawing on paper until the strokes become fluid and automatic. Then practice drawing the symbols in the air with your dominant hand, maintaining the same proportions and stroke order. Next, practice visualizing each symbol with your eyes closed, seeing it clearly in your mind's eye as a glowing form in whatever color naturally appears. The activation sequence for each symbol is: draw it (physically, in the air, or mentally), say its name three times (aloud or silently), and then allow the energy associated with that symbol to flow. Speed and precision improve with practice. Many experienced practitioners can activate a symbol in under a second simply by thinking its name, while beginners may need the full drawing and naming process. Practice combining symbols in sequence: Cho Ku Rei first (to amplify), then Sei He Ki (for emotional healing) or Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen (for distance). Always end a symbol sequence with Cho Ku Rei to seal the energy.
The neuropsychology of symbol use provides insight into why Reiki symbols are effective as focusing tools. Research on embodied cognition, particularly the work of George Lakoff and Mark Johnson, demonstrates that physical gestures and visual symbols activate neural networks associated with their meaning. Drawing Cho Ku Rei's spiral, for example, engages motor cortex areas associated with gathering and focusing, which may facilitate the energetic focusing the symbol represents. The Japanese calligraphy tradition (shodo) emphasizes that the act of drawing a character is itself a meditation, with each stroke carrying the calligrapher's ki (energy) and intention. Usui, steeped in Japanese cultural practices, likely understood this connection between physical gesture and energetic activation. Modern Reiki teachers like William Rand recommend practicing each symbol 100 times to develop fluency, a number that aligns with motor learning research showing that skilled automaticity typically requires extensive repetition before the movement becomes unconscious and fluid.
How often should you practice drawing the symbols?
Practice drawing each symbol at least once daily during your first month after Level 2 attunement. Many teachers recommend drawing each symbol 10 times per day for the first 21 days. After this initial period, daily use during self-treatment and meditation sessions maintains proficiency. If you notice your visualizations becoming unclear, return to physical drawing practice to reinforce the neural pathways.
What is the best order for combining multiple symbols?
The standard combination order is: Cho Ku Rei first (to activate and amplify), then the specific symbol for your purpose (Sei He Ki for emotional work, Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen for distance, Dai Ko Myo for spiritual healing), then Cho Ku Rei again to seal. For distance emotional healing, the sequence would be: Cho Ku Rei, Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen, Sei He Ki, Cho Ku Rei. Always bookend with the power symbol.
Can you draw symbols on objects or write them on paper?
Yes. Drawing symbols on crystals programs them with Reiki energy. Writing symbols on paper and placing them under a pillow, in a wallet, or on an altar creates a continuous energy field. Some practitioners draw symbols on bandages for physical healing or write them on business cards for professional success. The symbol carries intention wherever it is placed. Traditionally, written symbols should be disposed of respectfully when no longer needed.
How Do Reiki Symbols Connect to the Broader Japanese Spiritual Tradition?
Reiki symbols are rooted in the rich tapestry of Japanese spiritual practice that Mikao Usui drew from in creating his healing system. The use of sacred symbols for spiritual and healing purposes has deep precedent in Japanese culture through Shinto, Buddhism, and the esoteric traditions that combine both. Shinto, Japan's indigenous spiritual practice, uses shimenawa (sacred ropes) and shide (paper streamers) as symbols that mark sacred space and channel spiritual energy, a function parallel to how Cho Ku Rei is used to consecrate a healing space. Buddhist traditions in Japan, particularly Shingon and Tendai, use mandalas, mudras (hand gestures), and mantras as tools for focusing spiritual energy, directly paralleling Reiki's use of symbols, hand positions, and sacred names. The jumon (sacred words or incantations) used in Japanese esoteric Buddhism parallel the practice of repeating symbol names three times. Usui's genius was synthesizing these diverse elements into an accessible healing system that could be learned by anyone regardless of religious background, while retaining the spiritual depth of its source traditions.
Kurama-dera, the temple on Mount Kurama where Usui experienced his spiritual awakening, is significant because it blends Shinto, Buddhist, and newer spiritual traditions. The temple's unique spiritual system, Kurama Kokyo, teaches that the universe is animated by a supreme spiritual energy called Sonten, composed of love, light, and power. These three aspects correspond remarkably to three of the Reiki symbols: Sei He Ki (love/harmony), Dai Ko Myo (great shining light), and Cho Ku Rei (power). This correspondence may not be coincidental, suggesting that Usui's symbols directly encode the spiritual principles he encountered at Kurama. Japanese religious scholar Masato Fujii has documented how esoteric Buddhist practices on Mount Kurama included meditation, fasting, and the use of sacred syllables and symbols for spiritual transformation, exactly the practices Usui undertook during his 21-day retreat. The Reiki symbols may thus be understood as a portable, simplified version of the complex spiritual technology preserved in Japanese temple traditions.
What is the connection between Reiki symbols and Buddhist script?
Several Reiki symbols share visual elements with Siddham script, a sacred Sanskrit-derived writing system used in Japanese esoteric Buddhism (Mikkyo). Siddham characters are used as meditation objects (bonji) in Shingon and Tendai Buddhism. Usui studied both traditions. The connection is not that the symbols are copied from Siddham but that they emerge from the same tradition of using sacred written forms to access spiritual energies.
How do Shinto concepts relate to Reiki practice?
Shinto's concept of musubi (creative interconnecting energy) parallels ki in Reiki. Shinto purification rituals (misogi and harai) parallel Kenyoku Ho (dry bathing). Shinto's reverence for the natural world and the presence of kami (spiritual forces) in all things aligns with Reiki's understanding that universal energy permeates everything. The five Reiki principles echo Shinto ethical concepts of sincerity, gratitude, and harmony with nature.
Are there other Japanese healing traditions that use symbols?
Yes. Kotodama (the spiritual power of words and sounds) is a Japanese tradition of using specific syllables for healing and spiritual transformation. Kuji-in (nine syllable seals) used in Shugendo and ninjutsu traditions employ hand gestures and mantras for protection and power. Johrei, a healing practice from the Sekai Kyusei Kyo religion, uses channeled divine light in a manner similar to Reiki. These traditions share common roots in Japanese spiritual culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Reiki symbols secret?
Traditionally, Reiki symbols were kept secret and only revealed during Level 2 and Master attunements. Hawayo Takata insisted her students memorize them and not write them down. However, since the 1990s, all four traditional symbols have been widely published in books and online. Many modern teachers believe the symbols are tools for focusing intention and that secrecy is no longer necessary or practical. Some lineages still treat them as sacred and request that students not share them casually.
Do Reiki symbols have power on their own?
Reiki symbols are activating tools rather than sources of power in themselves. They function like keys that unlock specific frequencies of Reiki energy. Without attunement, drawing the symbols may have meditative value but will not activate the Reiki energy associated with them. After attunement, the symbols serve as focal points that direct the practitioner's intention and open specific energy pathways. The power comes from the combination of attunement, intention, and symbol.
Can you use Reiki symbols without being attuned to Level 2?
Level 1 practitioners can draw the symbols but will not have the full energetic activation that comes with the Level 2 attunement, which specifically opens the energy channels associated with each symbol. Some practitioners report partial effects from using symbols before Level 2 attunement, likely from the intention and visualization alone. For full effectiveness, the Level 2 attunement ceremony is considered necessary by virtually all Reiki lineages.
How do you activate a Reiki symbol?
Draw the symbol with your dominant hand in the air, on your palm, or visualize it mentally. As you draw, say the symbol's name three times (silently or aloud). The combination of the visual form and the spoken name activates the symbol's energy. Some practitioners also blow on the symbol or tap it with their fingertips to strengthen the activation. With practice, simply thinking the symbol's name can activate it instantly.
Are there Reiki symbols beyond the traditional four?
Various Reiki branches have introduced additional symbols. Karuna Reiki, developed by William Rand, includes eight additional symbols. Tibetan Reiki adds symbols like the Tibetan Dai Ko Myo and the Raku (lightning bolt). Some practitioners have received symbols through meditation or spiritual guidance. Traditional Usui Reiki recognizes only four symbols: Cho Ku Rei, Sei He Ki, Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen, and Dai Ko Myo.
Can Reiki symbols be used for protection?
Yes. Cho Ku Rei (the power symbol) is commonly used for energetic protection. Draw it on the walls of a room to clear and seal the space. Visualize it around your body as a protective shield before entering challenging environments. Some practitioners draw Cho Ku Rei over food and water to clear negative energy. Sei He Ki can also be used for emotional protection, shielding against absorbing others' emotional states.
Do you need to draw the symbols perfectly?
No. The intention behind the symbol is more important than artistic precision. As long as the general form and direction of the symbol are correct and you clearly hold the intention of activating it, the symbol will function. With practice, you will develop a consistent way of drawing each symbol that feels natural. Some practitioners find that drawing the symbol in one continuous motion is more effective than stopping and restarting strokes.
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