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What do the Reiki symbols mean?

When you first find out about Reiki you will invariably keep coming across references to symbols, be it in their own right, or being associated with the 'attunements' that one undergoes in order to be able to have the Reiki energy channelled through them.

The symbols referred to are ones that the Reiki founder, Dr Mikao Usui prepared for his own students. The symbols were a tool, a visual focus to help the students learn to assimilate or become familiar with a particular energy; the student was not 'attuned' to the symbol in the way that we understand in Western Reiki: they were simply given the symbol to use as a focus. These symbols have always been regarded highly precious and up until recent years, have been highly guarded and handed down carefully from one Reiki Master to another - no hard copies were allowed, it all had to be committed to m
emory - though these symbols may vary across the varying styles of Reiki.

The Reiki symbols are specific items used by Reiki practitioners who have been attuned to use them, and who are taught to focus their intent for specific uses They are an integral part of the attunement / initiation process.

The use of the Reiki symbols, further enhance the practitioner's ability to utilise the Reiki energy, focusing it for specific purposes.

The symbols are normally only taught at the Second Degree level of Reiki and enable the practitioner to carry out distance healing by using these symbols.

During the First Degree level, the practitioner is 'tuned-on' or 'attuned' personally to these powerful symbols thereby allowing the new practitioner to channel this energy force.

The four symbols refer to Power, Mental-Emotional healing, Distance, and the Reiki Master Symbol.

The Power Symbol is used to increase the flow of the Reiki energy, or to assist focussing Reiki more intensely at a specific location or with a specific intent. The Mental-Emotional healing symbol, is used for helping with anxiety, stress depression etc. It can also help with enforcing positive thought patterns and helping to rid the person of negative thought patterns. The Distant symbol aids in the healing over distance, be it people, animals, events, situations etc. The Reiki Master symbol is effectively, for allowing the practitioner to attune others. This fourth symbol encapsulates all of the other three symbols.

These symbols are simply graphical representations of different aspects of the Reiki energy.