Usui Reiki Symbols and Their Meanings: A Complete Guide

Q: How do Usui Reiki symbols work in healing?

Usui Reiki symbols focus universal life force energy for specific purposes such as strengthening, emotional balance, remote healing, and spiritual enlightenment. Practitioners activate them by drawing, visualizing, or chanting.

Key Takeaways

Q1: What are the Usui Reiki symbols and their meanings?
Usui Reiki symbols are sacred energy keys used in Reiki practice. They include Cho Ku Rei (Power), Sei He Ki (Emotional Healing), Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen (Distance Healing), and Dai Ko Myo (Master Symbol).

Q2: How do Usui Reiki symbols work in healing?
They focus universal life force energy for specific purposes—such as strengthening, emotional balance, remote healing, and spiritual enlightenment. Practitioners activate them by drawing, visualizing, or chanting.

Q3: Which Usui Reiki symbol is used for distance healing?
The Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen symbol bridges time and space, allowing practitioners to send Reiki healing across distance, past, present, or future.

Q4: What is the Master symbol in Usui Reiki?
The Dai Ko Myo is the Usui Master symbol, representing enlightenment, spiritual awakening, and deep healing of the soul.

Q5: How can beginners learn to use Reiki symbols?
Beginners should study each symbol’s meaning, practice drawing them, and work under a Reiki Master’s guidance during attunement and healing sessions.

What Are the Usui Reiki Symbols and Their Meanings?

Usui Reiki symbols are energetic keys from the Japanese Reiki tradition that channel universal life force energy. Each symbol has unique spiritual meaning and healing applications.

Cho Ku Rei (Power Symbol) → Strengthens and amplifies Reiki energy.
Sei He Ki (Emotional Healing Symbol) → Balances mind and emotions.
Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen (Distance Symbol) → Enables healing across time and space.
Dai Ko Myo (Master Symbol) → Symbol of enlightenment and Reiki mastery.

International Center for Reiki Training provides detailed insights into the Usui Reiki system.

How Does the Cho Ku Rei Power Symbol Work in Healing?

The Cho Ku Rei (Power Symbol) intensifies energy flow, clears blockages, and boosts physical healing by directing universal energy to specific areas.

Drawn as a spiral with a vertical line, it acts like a “power switch” for Reiki.
Used at the start or end of a session to strengthen healing.
Amplifies other Reiki symbols when combined.

According to Reiki Rays, Cho Ku Rei is often used for pain relief and energy cleansing.

What Is the Meaning of the Sei He Ki Emotional Healing Symbol?

The Sei He Ki helps balance emotional and mental energy, making it ideal for stress relief, trauma healing, and overcoming negative thought patterns.

Its design represents harmony between left and right brain.
Used for emotional release, forgiveness, and mental clarity.
Often combined with meditation for deeper healing.

IARP Reiki Guide notes that Sei He Ki is especially helpful for anxiety and depression healing practices.

Which Usui Reiki Symbol Is for Distance Healing?

The Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen enables practitioners to send Reiki healing beyond physical presence, across time and space.

Connects healer and recipient without physical contact.
Can send healing energy to the past, present, or future.
Used in meditation and global healing intentions.

Research from PubMed highlights distant healing effects in holistic practices.

What Is the Dai Ko Myo Master Symbol?

The Dai Ko Myo is the Master symbol in Usui Reiki, representing enlightenment, spiritual awakening, and healing at the soul level.

Only used by Reiki Masters after advanced attunement.
Enhances intuition, compassion, and spiritual alignment.
Considered the “soul symbol” that heals karma and past-life issues.

Chopra explains how master-level Reiki symbols connect practitioners to higher consciousness.

How Do Reiki Practitioners Use These Symbols in Healing?

Reiki practitioners use Usui Reiki symbols by drawing, visualizing, or chanting them during healing sessions to channel energy intentionally.

Drawing → Symbols traced in the air or over the body.
Visualization → Practitioners imagine the symbol glowing with energy.
Chanting → Repeating symbol names strengthens vibrational frequency.

Reiki attunement ensures practitioners can access these symbols effectively, as taught in Reiki Master lineages.

Can Beginners Learn to Use Reiki Symbols?

Beginners can study Reiki symbols, but full activation requires attunement by a Reiki Master. Symbols are gradually introduced as practitioners advance in Reiki levels.

Level 1 → Focus on hands-on healing, no symbols yet.
Level 2 → Introduction to Cho Ku Rei, Sei He Ki, and Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen.
Level 3/Master Level → Dai Ko Myo introduced, with mastery in energy channeling.

Learning Reiki requires proper guidance, as emphasized by The Reiki Association.

Summary Table of Usui Reiki Symbols

Usui Reiki symbols and their core meanings in healing practice.
Reiki Symbol	Meaning	Primary Use
Cho Ku Rei	Power	Amplifies energy flow, physical healing
Sei He Ki	Emotional Healing	Balances emotions, clears negativity
Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen	Distance Healing	Sends energy across time and space
Dai Ko Myo	Master Symbol	Spiritual awakening, deep soul healing

How to Draw Usui Reiki Symbols Step by Step?

Usui Reiki symbols are drawn with intention and focus, as each stroke carries spiritual energy. Beginners should practice slowly, visualizing energy flowing through each line.

1. How to Draw Cho Ku Rei (Power Symbol)

Start with a vertical line from top to bottom.
Draw a clockwise spiral starting at the top, circling three times down the line.
Visualize the spiral pulling in universal energy.

💡 Tip: Think of it as a “light switch” turning Reiki energy on.

2. How to Draw Sei He Ki (Emotional Healing Symbol)

Begin with a vertical curved line like a wave.
Add a horizontal zig-zag crossing the wave.
Draw a second curved line parallel to the first, connecting at the base.

💡 Tip: Visualize harmony between mind and heart as you trace.

3. How to Draw Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen (Distance Symbol)

Begin with a series of Japanese kanji-like strokes (often taught during Reiki Level 2).
Draw four distinct characters stacked vertically.
Focus on the meaning: “No past, no present, no future.”

💡 Tip: Chant the symbol’s name while drawing to strengthen intention.

4. How to Draw Dai Ko Myo (Master Symbol)

Draw the kanji-style strokes carefully (best taught under a Reiki Master).
Visualize light radiating as you complete each character.
Focus on spiritual awakening and compassion as you finish.

💡 Tip: This symbol requires attunement—practice only with guidance from a Reiki Master.

Conclusion

Usui Reiki symbols are sacred keys that unlock deeper healing, balance, and spiritual growth. Whether amplifying energy, healing emotions, bridging distance, or reaching enlightenment, these symbols guide Reiki practitioners on their path to holistic well-being.