Reiki Symbols

Almost everyone involved in Reiki would consider the Reiki symbols to be Sacred, there are a few people that consider the symbols to be also Secret. In my training I have been taught that the symbols are not secret.

so as not to offend anyone that considers the symbols to be secret, you are asked to scroll down to see the actual symbols themselves as used in the levels of Reiki.

The symbol above is the universal symbol for Reiki

First Degree

Second Degree

Descriptions courtesy of All Energy-Therapies Web

Cho Ku Rei

Basic Uses of Choku Rei:

Choku Rei can be used to increase the power/flow of Reiki, or to assist in focussing Reiki more intensely at a given location, or to a specific intent.
The symbol can be used as an 'energy cleansing' / 'energy blessing' for food, drink, or possessions; and may be employed as a seal or amulet of protection.
Some practitioners use Choku Rei to cleanse a room of negative atmospheres; or to 'seal' a treatment.
And while in 'western' forms of Reiki, the symbol may be used in conjunction with one or more of the other symbols, (with the intent of increase their potency) in 'Japanese' lineages, it is primarily utilised in a stand-alone sense.

In some Japanese forms of Reiki, Choku Rei ( which, in Japan, is often simply referred to as 'Symbol 1') is seen as representing 'earthly' or physical energy.

Se He Kei

Basic Uses of Sei Heiki:

Sei Heiki is employed in the treating of mental/emotional issues, including anxiety, stress, nervousness, fear, depression, etc.; and in the treating of addictions.
It can also be used to help with the release of 'wound memories' [or 'emotional body armour']
Some practitioners use the symbol to help improve memory-recall; and it can be employed as s tool for de-programming inappropriate responses to given events / situations, etc, as well as in the programming of positive habits and responses...

In some Japanese forms of Reiki, Sei Heiki ( which, in Japan, is often simply referred to as 'Symbol 2') is seen as representing 'heavenly' or spiritual energy

Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen

Interpretation:
kun yomi on yomi kanji

root, source, origin, essence, basis, counter for long things, book, present, main, true, real
moto, mato HON reiki symbol,reiki symbols,

someone, person mono SHA

just so, this, right, just, proper kore shi,
ZE

correct, justice, certainly, exactly, righteous
tada.shii, tada.su, masa(.ni), oo, kuni, ma, tadashi masashi, sei,
SHÔ (shou) reiki symbol,reiki symbols,

mindfulness, wish, sense, idea, thought, feeling, desire, attention, concern *** NEN

"Right consciousness is the root for everything"

"Correct Thought (Mindfulness) is the essence of being"

Basic Uses of Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen:

As the designation: the 'distant' symbol suggests, Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen is used to send Reiki at a distance - be it to people or other animals, places, events, situations; or even across the 'great illusion' that is time itself.
With the aid of the Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen symbol, Reiki can be 'sent' to interact beneficially with issues or situations long since past, or alternatively, ones as yet not having manifested themselves.
Some practitioners utilise the symbol when they need to 'connect' (metaphorically speaking) with people.
The distant symbol may also be used as a means of assisting interaction with, deity, spirits of place, or ancestral spirits (or as some prefer to phrase it: ancestral energy-patterns)

In some Japanese forms of Reiki, Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen ( which, in Japan, is often simply referred to as 'Symbol 3') is seen as representing the transcendent 'oneness' within the practitioner, and the realisation that there is no separation between the two people sharing the phenomenon of giving-receiving Reiki.

Third Degree

Dai Ko Mio

Interpretation:
kun yomi on yomi kanji

large, big, great
oo.kii,oo.ini, ufu, o, ou, ta, takashi, tomo, hajime, hiro, hiroshi, masa, masaru, moto, wa tai,
DAI reiki symbol,reiki symbols,

ray, light, shine hika.ru, hikari, aki, akira, koo, teru, hiko, mi, mitsu KÔ (Kou )

clear, open, bright, radiance a.kari, aka.rui, aka.rumu, aka.ramu, aki.raka, a.keru, -a.ke, a.ku, a.kuru, a.kasu, akira, ake, asu, kira, ke, saya, sayaka, toshi, haru, mi, me mei,
min,
MYÔ (Myou) reiki symbol,reiki symbols,

Basic Uses of Dai Ko Myo:

The primary use of the Dai Ko Myo - the 'Master' symbol is, for many practitioners, the passing of Reiki attunements to others. Dai Ko Myo may also be employed as a meditative focus (as in deed may any of the other three symbols)
The Master symbol is the very encapsulation of the Reiki phenomenon itself.
To practitioners of a great many Reiki styles, Dai Ko Myo represents the combined energies of the previous three symbols, though at a more subtle level.

Other Non - Reiki Symbols

The Om Symbol

A Mystical 3 dimensional symbol

Runes