Raku Reiki Symbol for Grounding and Completion

Welcome to an exciting bonus installment of my series on Reiki symbols: the Raku Reiki symbol! As background, Reiki (pronounced RAY-key) is a form of gentle healing touch therapy originating from Japan.

This form of relaxing energy work utilizes a set of symbols to focus energy and help with chakra balancing: getting the body back in balance, much like acupuncture. Regarding my credentials to write this article, my name is Lillie and I’m a Boston Reiki practitioner, as well as an artist.

The Traditional Symbols

In traditional Usui Reiki, taught by Mikao Usui starting in the 1900s, there are four symbols used during a session: the Cho Ku Rei Power Symbol, the Sei Hei Ki Harmony Symbol, the Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen Distance Healing Symbol, and the Dai Ko Myo Master Symbol.

Each of these four symbols has a unique function that is complimentary to the others, and builds upon the previous one, in order. If you’re intrigued about how to become attuned to use the symbols, search for a Reiki training near you; the saying goes that when one is ready for a teacher, they will appear. Now that we know the four traditional Usui symbols, let’s branch out into one in a different category… Raku!

Raku Reiki Symbol

Expanding beyond the Usui system, the symbol I’ve illustrated for this article is the Raku Reiki Symbol: a beautiful and powerful figure whose origins are hazy, but might trace back to Tibetan Reiki. (This is different from the Karuna system of such symbols at the Shanti symbol.) Now, what is the meaning and use of Raku?

Grounding and Completion Symbol

Raku is the “Fire Serpent” or “Lighting Bolt,” and is used at the Master level of Reiki as the Grounding Symbol or Completion Symbol. By this, I mean it helps the receiver flow their energy in the full sequence from their Crown (white aura and purple aura chakras) to their Root (red aura chakra) as a means of stabilizing and grounding them.

The Raku symbol also helps bring completion to the Reiki session by drawing a line to separate the giver’s energy from the receiver’s energy. Though I don’t generally subscribe to the idea of someone’s energy “getting on you” and harming you, I do agree it’s a good idea to have a set of rituals after a session to bring closure and space. Washing hands is another I always do, as a ritual cleanse — both literally and energetically.

In addition to using the Raku Reiki symbol in formal Reiki sessions, it is also possible to use it in everyday life, helping to draw a boundary between yourself, and things you wish to complete or move on from. The symbol can be drawn with the eyes, or with a finger in the air, on the body, or on a surface.

It feels good to make the lines: Zig, zag, zig, zag, ZIG! Do note that the flourishes at either end of the lightning bold are stylistic, and are not required for the symbol to work. As with the Om symbol, there are various versions.

Raku Reiki Symbol, in Sum

So what about you? What are your thoughts on the Raku Reiki symbol? Have you used or seen it before, either to give or receive? How does it resonate with you, visually? Do share in the comments section below! If you’d like to continue reading about symbols beyond the Usui system, allow me to direct you to my article on the Zonar Reiki symbol, and Halu.

Want more about Reiki and energy work? Check out: “How Many Reiki Sessions are Needed?” and “Crying During Meditation.”