Below are the names of the four Usui Reiki Symbols. The four Reiki Symbols are the traditional Reiki Symbols used in Reiki Healing and Reiki Attunements. Each Reiki Symbol is used in various healing situations.

• Cho Ku Rei is the name of the Usui Power Increase Symbol. The name of the power symbol means, "Put all the power in the universe here."
• Sei He Ki is the name of the Mental/Emotional Symbol. This is the Usui Mental/Emotional Symbol. It is also called the "Emotional/Mental Symbol, Mental Symbol or the Mental/Emotional/Addiction Symbol."
• Hon Sha Ze Sho Ne is the name of the Long Distance Symbol. It is also called the "Long Distance and the Absentee Symbol."
• Dai Koo Myo is the name of the Usui Master Symbol. With this symbol there also have been several translations, but the most common is "Great being of the universe, shine on me, be my friend."

Reiki Symbols Variations and Translations

Reiki practitioners and Masters, on occasion, find out they have been attuned to and taught Usui Reiki Symbols that have different lines, extra lines, and lines that go in reverse directions.

There are a few reasons for the variations of the Reiki Symbols. In the past, Reiki Symbols were taught orally and students were not allowed to write them down for hundreds of years, so when it was time for them to teach the Reiki symbols, again, it was taught orally from memory. Because that was not the best system in terms of accuracy, variations in the symbols did develop. Now, Reiki Symbols are written down, which keeps the variation to a minimum.

Another recent reason for the variations of the symbols is that some Reiki Masters have intentionally changed the Reiki Symbols. They have done this to make their Reiki unique, personal, and blend with their current beliefs -- or they have been told by their Reiki guides to make the changes.

As for the translations and interpretations of the symbols, there are many different ones. Translations and interpretations are tough, especially when you go from several languages. The Bible is a prime example of that. It has been translated in many languages from its original. This has resulted in some discrepancies in some parts of the Bible and its translations.

Feel free to use an interpretation that you were taught and with which you feel comfortable, just be aware and open to the different interpretations. There is no right or wrong concerning this. It is just a matter of from whom you received your information. The important issue is the intent on the symbol's meaning.