Reiki Symbols (Part II)

This article follows ‘Reiki Symbols Article’ and will disclose more information surrounding: Tracing them in order?  Using a single symbol and/or sets.

A Bit of History - Reiki Symbols

Traditionally we are taught 4 symbols. They were transmitted orally for a long time, mostly within an audience that had no understanding of the original forms (which were either words in Japanese script, or single characters in Sid-ham script), it is my understanding they got transformed almost beyond recognition. Along the way, mysterious new forms appeared. The latter may have been designed by the founder of Reiki himself, or they could have been introduced by later students in efforts to give a visually evocative shape for each function. The symbols have Japanese names and two of them are very obviously written in Japanese Kanji — the Chinese script. That does not make the symbols any less good.

The likely scenario is this:

As a Buddhist, Usui (Founder) had knowledge of many sacred symbols, or shuji before he retired to Kurama. Shuji is the Japanese name of the “seed characters” written in the Sid-ham for of the Sanskrit script. Usui’s visionary experience on the mountain filled him with a new, deeper understanding for their significance. From there he went to found Reiki, which he intended as a spiritual-philosophical system “for the connection and improvement of body and soul”. Self-healing was part of this, but to improve its efficiency he found it fit to introduce four “keys” for focusing the intent: these he chose among his system, and they have been handed down as “the four symbols of Reiki” ever since.

For every symbol there is the “traditional” form, the “non-traditional” form, the known variations and one of the possible meanings of the Japanese names that I pieced together (to my surprise and you may be dismayed to hear that back in Japan, they are not referred to by the Japanese name we use, but by number, and the Kanji that might have been at their origin fell into oblivion, so that is something we may never find out). Many practitioners, traditional and modern, feel the symbols must not be disclosed to the uninitiated. While I agree they should not be disrespected and used frivolously, I am against pointless secrecy (knowing the symbols cannot replace a true initiation as intended by Usui).

Tracing the Symbols

Everything I read about Reiki, written and taught to me by Western practitioners, insisted on the fact that you MUST draw the symbols with the correct order of strokes. In my conversation with my new Japanese friend- she explained that this is apparently because the Japanese attach a great importance to stroke order, and it betrays a very superficial understanding of this concern by the westerners who imported Reiki. Let me share with you a bit more that I’ve learned about Japanese writing.  In Japan it is very important to write characters with the correct order and direction of strokes, for the simple reason that if you write them fast and your pen does not leave the paper between strokes, the extra “linking” strokes thus created can make the character totally illegible if they are not disciplined into a unique, consistent pattern. In other words, the stroke order is only important for legibility purposes and to learn how to draw the symbols/characters. If using an order of your own helps you memorize them, then by all means use your own order. Be consistent and call upon each symbol with good intentions and respect.  However what is important, I think, is that you stick to a single order once you’ve settled on it, or else your trigger may be fuzzy.

As I said in my last article:

Tracing them in order accurately is your least worry, your intentions attached to the meaning; understanding and use of them are where the importance lies. Strictly speaking, if you are just going to learn how to trace them then they have as much to do with Reiki as a dollar-store dream catcher has to do with Indians. The value of a symbol resides in its efficiency as a trigger. Whether you use the original symbols, symbols you further modify yourself, symbols you make up or symbols you bring in from other traditions, you will not lose efficiency. If you forget how to draw a symbol in the middle of a working, you can still move forward on intent, which is all you actually need anyway. Energy flows where your intent is. Everything else is just there to help until the day you can control your energy as naturally as you can move an arm.

Single Symbol vs. Sets

The Reiki symbols are each used for a specific function. It is simply that breaking down Reiki needs into different symbols makes each trigger sharper and more powerful. This is true of all symbols, and it is why it’s a good idea to learn and use a set of symbols rather than a single one. As an example when it comes to a Reiki treatment:
Here is just ‘one-set’ example:

• Starting the ‘Ki’ flow
• Boosting the power - ChoKuRei
• Giving emotional healing - Seihekei
• “Opening a gate” or triggering distance healing - Honshazeshonen

For details and further explanation of the symbols, what they are, what they mean and how to attune and apply Reiki and the symbols to your life, and in fact become a Reiki Master or Reiki Teacher click here… www.TheSecretOfReikiHomeStudyCourse.com

My personal experience in calling on and applying sets of symbols to my daily practice is very powerful, you see, it is the intention, respect and practice that is attached to each one.  Enjoy your spiritual journey my friends, the gifts Reiki will bring to your life are unlimited.  Namaste’

Sharing with Love n Lite,

Kimberlee Cusumano
Reiki Master Teacher,
Intuitive Communications
Author of The Secret Of Reiki Home Study Package