Reiki symbols are Japanese forms derived from Sanskrit are mostly influenced by this old language. These symbols are means of centering or focusing your attention in order to connect with "specific" healing frequencies and are used to increase energy and to help direct the flow of Ki (or chi in Chinese). These symbols are taught during the Second Degree of Reiki by a Reiki master. They are pictorial/written symbols that are used in the attunement processes and in the healing processes.

The energy involved, the Ki, was and still is the root of the entire body of Chinese medicine, where it is known as chi. Its name is actually meant to be a mantra that helps one connect with the symbol's energy, and means "Right consciousness is the root for everything", or better yet, "Correct thought is the essence of being". During the Reiki attunement the energy of the attunement causes the Reiki symbols to become a stimulus and the particular energy the symbol represents which is present during the attunement becomes the response.

During an attunement you are given the connection with the energy through the symbols and they are used to help you focus. The first reiki symbol of the 3 learned at Level 2 Reiki is the power symbol called "Cho Ku Rei" and is used to focus the energy and used for protection. The other two are Sei Hei Ki and Hon Sha ze Sho Nen