The Sacred Symbols of Reiki: A Teaching on Shirushi and Their Jumon

In traditional Reiki practice, sacred symbols are introduced as part of Level 2 training. Each symbol is called a shirushi, and each is paired with a sacred mantra known as a jumon. These symbols were never meant to be magical or secret in the way many have imagined them. They are visual and vibrational expressions of deeper truths — used to focus intention and deepen spiritual awareness.

What’s most important to understand is that the symbols themselves are not the energy. As Sensei Hiroshi Doi of Gendai Reiki Ho teaches, they are like training wheels. They serve their purpose at a certain stage of the practice, but once their meaning is understood, you no longer need to rely on them. The energy they point to is already within you.

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A Word on Lineage and Variation

Because Reiki was passed down through oral teaching — especially in the West by Mrs. Hawayo Takata, who asked her students to memorize the symbols — there are variations in how the symbols and mantras appear across different lineages. This is especially true for the third and fourth symbols, which are actually Japanese kanji drawn from the mantras themselves.

Even among Japanese traditions such as Komyo Reiki Do and Gendai Reiki Ho, the form and pronunciation of the symbols and mantras may differ. These differences reflect the natural evolution of a living, spiritual path — not inconsistencies, but personal embodiment through sincere practice.

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The First Three Symbols and Their Purpose

The following are the first three traditional Reiki symbols, each paired with its corresponding mantra, or jumon. These were originally intended to help the student focus, invoke healing qualities, and deepen spiritual connection. Understanding their original function can help illuminate the spiritual foundation they represent.

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Symbol 1 — The Power Symbol

This symbol is often taught as a way to increase or focus Reiki energy. It was used to strengthen the connection at the beginning of a session or to spiritually seal the energy at the end. It can also be directed toward specific areas that need clearing or grounding.

Symbol 1 served as a reminder of divine protection and strength. The jumon, when repeated with reverence, helped the practitioner become more present and aware of the energy flowing.

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Symbol 2 — The Harmony Symbol

This symbol was traditionally used for emotional healing and mental clarity. It supported balance between heart and mind and was also part of a method to release unwanted habits — such as smoking, vaping, or recurring thought patterns.

Repeating the jumon while visualizing symbol 2 helped reinforce intentions for emotional cleansing and change. While the use of the symbol may eventually become internalized, the energy of what it represents remains central to healing work.

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Symbol 3 — The Distance Symbol

This symbol was introduced as a way to send Reiki across time and space. It represented the understanding that healing energy is not limited by distance, and that spiritual connection transcends the boundaries of the physical world.

The mantra, often interpreted as a reminder that we are never truly separate, helped open a bridge between souls — whether offering healing to the past, blessing the future, or sending energy to someone far away.

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Returning to Simplicity: The Reiki Precepts

As one’s Reiki practice deepens, many return to the foundation — the Reiki precepts. Simply chanting them in Japanese can be a powerful daily practice. They carry a vibration that clears and balances the heart and mind. In fact, chanting the precepts while offering Reiki to a space or room can be just as powerful as using any symbol. The essence of Reiki is not in technique — it’s in presence, sincerity, and intention.

The precepts are:

Just for today,

Do not be angry

Do not worry

Be grateful

Work with diligence

Be kind to others

Recited in Japanese, they carry a resonance that quiets the mind and purifies the atmosphere. Many Japanese practitioners today use only the precepts and simple meditation in their advanced work.

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Final Thoughts

The Reiki symbols are sacred guides. They are not meant to be permanent tools, but rather stepping stones. They help us learn to focus, to trust, and to embody the qualities of healing and peace. Over time, their meaning becomes so deeply understood that external tools are no longer needed.

Whether you’re just beginning your Reiki path or returning to its simplicity, remember: the energy is already within you. These teachings help you remember what you’ve always carried.

If you feel called to learn more, I offer certified Reiki classes and healing sessions through Traveling Light Ministries. I teach from a place of reverence and respect, honoring the spiritual heart of this sacred practice.

 — Fr. Mark Colville

Independent Catholic Priest, Reiki Master Teacher

www.TravelingLightMin.org

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