Should Reiki Symbols Be Secret? History, Meaning & Modern Reiki Explained
A gentle investigation (sparked by Pinterest, of all places)
I recently found myself down a very modern rabbit hole… Pinterest comments.
Now, if you’ve ever spent any time there, you’ll know it’s a curious mix of inspiration, aspiration, and the occasional strong opinion typed with great conviction.
In this particular case, I kept seeing the same lady pop up under various pins of Reiki symbols. Very politely (but very firmly), she was telling people that the symbols should not be shared online. That it was inappropriate. That it went against tradition.
And do you know what?
Instead of rolling my eyes or scrolling past (my usual highly spiritual response), I paused.
Because she wasn’t being unkind. She clearly cared. And as a Reiki practitioner, that matters.
So, being a good Reiki person—or at least attempting to be one before my morning coffee—I thanked her for her perspective…
…and then, naturally, I went off to investigate.
Because this is where things get interesting.
You see, this idea that Reiki symbols should remain secret didn’t come from nowhere. It’s not random gatekeeping, and it’s not just people being dramatic on the internet (although, to be fair, that does also happen).
There is actually a history here. A cultural context. A lineage.
And like many things that travel from one part of the world to another, Reiki has… evolved.
So the question isn’t simply:
“Should Reiki symbols be shared online?”
The better question is:
“Why were they ever kept secret in the first place… and does that still make sense today?”
Let’s explore that, without the fear, without the fluff, and without anyone getting told off in a Pinterest comment section.
The Origins of Reiki (and Why Things Were Never Written on Pinterest)
Reiki was founded in Japan in the early 20th century by Mikao Usui.
His system, often referred to as Usui Reiki Ryōhō, was not originally taught the way many of us experience it today. It wasn’t packaged into neat levels with printable manuals and certificates ready for framing (as lovely as those are).
Instead, it was rooted in something far more experiential.
Students didn’t just learn Reiki.
They received it.
Teachings were often shared directly from teacher to student, sometimes verbally, sometimes energetically, and sometimes in ways that didn’t involve words at all.
Within this context, the Reiki symbols were considered part of the inner teachings.
Not secret in a dramatic, hidden-scrolls-in-a-cave kind of way…
But not casually shared either.
They were introduced at specific points in a student’s journey, alongside attunements and guidance, so that the understanding came through experience, not just observation.
It’s a bit like being handed sheet music versus being taught how to actually feel the music as you play it.
When Reiki Travelled West (Things Got… Structured)
Reiki made its way to the West largely through Hawayo Takata, who trained in Japan and brought the practice to Hawaii and beyond.
And this is where things shifted.
Takata maintained a strong emphasis on keeping the symbols private. They were only shared during training, and often with a sense of deep reverence—and, historically, a significant financial investment.
Now, it’s easy to look back and judge this.
But context matters.
At the time, Reiki was entering a completely different culture—one that didn’t share the same spiritual framework as Japan. Keeping certain elements “protected” may have been a way to:
Preserve the integrity of the practice
Encourage commitment from students
Maintain a sense of respect for something unfamiliar
Over time, this approach became embedded in Western Reiki teaching.
And from there… it spread.
So Why Do Some Practitioners Still Feel Strongly About This?
When you see someone passionately saying “the symbols should not be shared,” it’s usually coming from one of a few places:
1. Respect for Tradition
They’ve been taught that this is how Reiki is honoured—and they’re trying to uphold that.
2. Belief in Energetic Activation
Some feel that symbols only “work” after attunement, and that sharing them without that context diminishes their meaning.
3. Concern About Misuse
There’s a genuine worry that Reiki becomes diluted, misunderstood, or turned into something superficial.
And to be fair… that concern isn’t entirely unfounded.
We do live in a world where deep practices can get reduced to aesthetic quotes and pretty graphics.
(Beautiful… but occasionally missing the point.)
The Reality We’re Living In Now
Here’s the part that’s quietly obvious:
Reiki symbols are already everywhere.
They’re in books.
They’re on websites.
They’re on Pinterest (as our friend has clearly noticed).
They’re even in online courses you can take in your pyjamas.
The idea that they can still be “kept secret” in the traditional sense is… no longer realistic.
But, and this is important, that doesn’t mean they’ve lost their depth or power.
Because the truth is:
The symbols were never the power.
They are tools.
Gateways.
Focal points for intention.
But Reiki itself?
That comes through connection, practice, and attunement.
Not just looking at a drawing on your phone while waiting for the kettle to boil.
The better question is:
“Why were they ever kept secret in the first place… and does that still make sense today?”
A More Grounded Way to Look at It
Rather than asking whether symbols should be online (they already are), a more useful question might be:
“How do we teach Reiki in a way that keeps its depth, without relying on secrecy?”
Because secrecy and integrity are not the same thing.
You can keep something deeply meaningful without hiding it.
And you can share something openly without reducing its value.
It comes down to how it’s held.
So… Is It “Bad” to Share Reiki Symbols Online?
No.
But context matters.
Sharing a symbol without explanation is a bit like handing someone a key without showing them the door.
Sharing it with understanding, respect, and guidance?
That’s education.
That’s empowerment.
That’s evolution.
Where I Land (In Case You’re Wondering)
I believe Reiki is for everyone.
Not in a casual, throw-it-around-without-thought kind of way…
But in a grounded, accessible, human way.
I respect where the tradition comes from. Deeply.
But I also recognise that we’re living in a different time.
And in this time, our role isn’t to guard Reiki behind invisible walls.
It’s to help people experience it properly.
To bring them back to their bodies.
To their breath.
To their own ability to self-heal.
Symbols or no symbols.
A Quiet Thank You (To the Pinterest Comment Section)
So, to the lady in the comments—whoever you are—thank you.
Genuinely.
Because your persistence sparked curiosity.
And curiosity leads to understanding.
Which, in the end, is far more powerful than simply being “right” on the internet.
If you’ve ever wondered about Reiki symbols, or felt unsure about what’s “allowed,” take this as your permission slip:
You don’t need to fear getting it wrong.
You just need to stay present, stay respectful, and keep practising.
That’s where the real Reiki lives.
