Reiki Master Symbols … What do they mean?

Reiki Master Symbols are connected to a Japanese relaxation and stress reduction technique. The practice originated with a Japanese monk, Mikao Usui in 1922. Reiki is used frequently by those who practice alternative medicine and healing. The practice of Reiki involves the belief that a life force energy or qi, flows through the human body and is administered by the laying of hands. The practice itself is connected with spirituality and a deeper understanding of the conscious. In Reiki, it is assumed that if your life force energy is low or out of sync, you will get sick easier or experience more stress. If it is high, the person tends to be more cheerful and lively.

The Reiki symbols and their meanings

The Reiki symbol originated with the language of Sanskrit, which is often believed to be related to spirituality. Students of Reiki are encouraged to practice meditation through a concentration on the symbols. There are four symbols which are most common to the spiritual practice of Reiki.

1. Cho Ku Rei – This is the power symbol. The symbol is connected with healing and it is believed that meditation on this symbol will increase the energy flow in the human body. When this symbol is used during a Reiki session, energy flow in the body is increased and, therefore, the ability of the body to heal itself will increase.
2. Sei He Ki – This symbol is connected to the human psyche. Reiki believers who concentrate on this symbol believe that it cleanses them of negativity and improves the memory. People gravitate to this symbol when they are dealing with mental illness, depression, relationship problems and fear. Because this symbol is connected to balance, it is very good for people who struggle with emotional instability. It is said to bring about calmness in the soul.
3. Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen – This is an energy symbol believed to transfer energy and healing across distances. This symbol is used when a person cannot physically come to a Reiki practitioner. The energy from the symbol transcends space and time, traveling to the person in need of healing.
4. Dai Ko Myo – This symbol is considered to be the master. The symbol is connected to enlightenment and represents wisdom and intelligence. Said to be the strongest of the symbols, it can be interchanged with any of the other symbols.

There are many other Reiki symbols in the alternative medicine practice. However, the four mentioned above are the most commonly associated with Reiki. For a person to become a practitioner of Reiki, the person must practice meditation upon the four symbols under the supervision of a certified Reiki practitioner. Even though Reiki is considered to be spiritual, it is not a religious faith. It has no canon, and there is nothing that a practitioner must believe in order to practice it. Reiki is not dependent on a particular belief in order for it to work. People who use Reiki describe the experience as if feelings of warmth fill their bodies during the meditation. Because Reiki is rooted in a belief in God or Buddha, often times, people claim that they feel more connected to their own religious beliefs when they practice Reiki.