The Reiki Symbols & Mantras

Within the Usui system of Reiki, we work with 4 symbols & their corresponding mantras. The first 3 are taught at Okuden level II and the fourth at Shinpiden level III. Other systems haved added or modified symbols, for example in Tanran Reiki we have at least 3 additional symbols, in Holy Fire Reiki we have 1 additional symbol, in Karuna Reiki we have an additional 8 symbols and ICRT Animal Reiki we have 1 additional symbol.

There are many ways to interpret the symbols and their intended use, in part this is because the Japanese language is this way, with multiple layers of meanings for each word or character, from face value, through to very deep, spiritual and insightful. This means there are many possible translations for the symbols and mantras, and also for the teachings.

In modern or Western Reiki, the symbols are often drawn in the air, on hands or on a client. However the more I contemplate the symbols, and the more Reiki Masters I study under to broaden my awareness, the more I understand that they, along with their corresponding mantras, are simply a focal point to still our minds, and point us in the right direction, to be used within and not without.

Like most things Reiki, there is that beautiful juxtaposition or contradiction, that the symbols are powerful and important, and should be drawn in the correct order, with focus, and reverence, and yet, it is also important not to get caught up in the details.