Are Reiki Symbols Necessary?

Is using the Usui Reiki symbols necessary? If you use your own symbols is it still Reiki or does it become a new form of energy work at that point? I never resonated with the Usui symbols and I’ve given them up. I have my own symbols that are meaningful and work fabulously for me. But I’m no longer calling what I do Reiki because what makes Reiki “Reiki?”

There are a lot of questions about Reiki symbols, including their meanings, when to use them, and whether or not they're even necessary.

Here's the truth: We don't need symbols to practice Reiki.

​Some teachers teach the first Reiki symbol (or two) at Level 1. But many teachers don't teach any symbols at all for Level 1. I personally don't, and of course we are practicing Reiki at level 1. So Level 1 practitioners who haven't learned any symbols are indeed practicing Reiki, which means can practice Reiki without symbols and it's still Reiki.

Even if we have learned Reiki symbols, including if we are a Level 2 or higher practitioner, and don't want to use the symbols, we don't have to. There is never any requirement to use any or all Reiki symbols. We can use all, one, certain symbols, or none. Yes, this even includes for distance Reiki. Some practitioners will disagree with me, but it isn't necessary to use the distance symbol to send distance Reiki. I never do.

Symbols can be helpful, though, because they support us in integrating and focusing on the Reiki teachings, and we can use them as a way to stay present in our practice — whether through drawing them, chanting them, visualizing them, or saying them during our sessions.

But at the center of your question is your real question...is Reiki still Reiki if it doesn't adhere completely to the system of Reiki?

Let's consider this another way: Is English still English if it uses words that aren't in the dictionary? Or what if we start introducing words from different languages. At what percentage of word usage does Spanglish become either English or Spanish?

As far as the use of your own symbols, I think your practice can still be called "Reiki" if the majority of the practices align with the system of Reiki. Here's why: we all incorporate our own personal practices in our Reiki practice. We all put our personal spin on our self-practice and our sessions, and therefore most of us don't adhere strictly and completely to the traditional system of Reiki in our practice.

Even those of us who do practice largely according to the traditional Usui Reiki system add in non-traditional elements. For instance, I use my drum and flute and sometimes bring card reading into my sessions. That's not traditional at all. Yet the majority of my session and the practices do align with the system of Reiki. Of course, it's always important for us to inform clients when we're calling our sessions "Reiki" and using a technique or practices outside of the system of Reiki. I always make sure to let my clients know that drumming and cards are not part of the system of Reiki, but I believe it's ok to bring those practices in as long as clients know they're not part of the system of Reiki.

These are my thoughts today, but check back in a couple of years, right? Because, like your practice now includes your own symbols, everyone's practice is evolving.

For more on incorporating non-Reiki practices into Reiki, this episode of the Build Your Reiki Business podcast shares some thoughts on combining Reiki with other modalities.

Sending blessings to the evolution, and please feel free to grab the free Reiki Kit for more Reiki information.