Welcome to an explanation of the Cho Ku Rei Reiki “Power Symbol!” As background, I run a Reiki practice, and have completed numerous trainings in Usui, Kundalini, and other Reiki forms, so I’m writing this article from direct experience in the field.
I’m also an artist and writer, in addition to doing Reiki in Boston, so this post features my hand-drawn art to help display the beauty of Cho Ku Rei, and point out some of its hidden delights. Ready? Let’s learn!
Cho Ku Rei Meaning
Reiki is a gentle healing touch therapy originating from Japan, which helps energy flow in a way that assists the recipient’s wellbeing. (See how to pronounce Reiki here, as well as what to wear for Reiki.) During Reiki trainings and attunements, practitioners learn a series of powerful and beautiful Reiki symbols that we use during sessions to focus and amplify healing.
My first article in this series on these Reiki symbols was about the Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen “Distance Reiki” symbol, but in fact the #1 symbol that comes before all the others is Cho Ku Rei: the “Reiki Power Symbol,” and the subject of this article (sometimes spelled Choku Rei). It comes before the second symbol, Sei Hei Ki, and the fourth, Dai Ko Myo.
What is the meaning of this important first Reiki symbol? Cho Ku Rei translates to: “Focusing the energy of the universe here,” and it is often seen as a light switch which activates the Reiki healing session, and empowers all the other symbols.
Chakras and This Reiki Symbol
In drawing the art for this article, I sought to demonstrate the gorgeous element hidden inside the Cho Ku Rei symbol: The intersection of the spiral with the “spine” creates 8 points… which correspond with the 7 chakras (energy centers) in the human body, plus the 8th chakra, the Soul Star Chakra, which is above the body! As you can see from my drawing above, the shape of this symbol perfectly correlates with its purpose and meaning: empowerment by chakra balancing.
The first point at the top of the symbol is calling in the energy of the Soul Star Chakra universe power, then pulling it down through the chakras from top to bottom: the Crown Chakra (a violet or white aura), the Third Eye Chakra (an indigo or purple aura), the Throat Chakra (a blue aura), the Heart Chakra (a green aura), the Solar Plexus Chakra (a yellow aura), the Sacral Chakra (an orange aura), and the Root Chakra (a red aura). The Earth Star Chakra, or Chakra Zero, can be visualized to be below.
Reiki is about helping the body’s energy flow freely towards the greatest higher good of the recipient. The Cho Ku Rei symbol perfectly encompasses this aim by visually pulling for integration and movement of each energy center. Wonderful!
Digital Downloads of this Symbol
Interested in an easy digital download of this symbol which can be printed in full color if desired? Use the button below to get a file which has this Usui symbol as well as the three others!
Cho Ku Rei, in Sum
I hope this explanation and these drawings of the Cho Ku Rei Reiki “Power Symbol” have been illuminating. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this gorgeous and centrally important symbol, so feel free to share your ideas in the comment section below! If you’d like to learn more about this form of gentle healing, check out my article on the 5 Reiki Principles.
The author and artist, Lillie Marshall, is a National Board Certified Teacher of English who has been a public school educator since 2003, and an experienced Reiki practitioner since 2018. All art on this site is original and hand-drawn by Lillie. She launched DrawingsOf.com Educational Cartoons in 2020, building upon the success of her other two sites, AroundTheWorldL.com (established 2009) and TeachingTraveling.com (founded 2010). Subscribe to Lillie’s monthly newsletter, and follow @WorldLillie on social media to stay connected!