During the attunement process, the energies of each symbol enter the mind of the student and connect themselves to the appropriate symbol.

The Reiki Master usually shows them to the student before the attunement and gives the student time to memorize them. The symbols have no real power without attunement (or initiation) вЂ“ therefore the attunement plays a vital role in giving power to the symbols so that they can accomplish their anticipated purpose.

The three important symbols given to a student during Level 2 attunement are Cho Ku Rei or the power symbol, Sei He Ki or the emotional and mental healing symbol, and Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen or the distance healing symbol. Traditionally, and for a long time, these symbols have been kept secret and only revealed to students who have reached the second degree and received the corresponding attunement. They originate from Japanese Kanji and are basically words from the Japanese language which help improve the flow of Life Force energy. It is still seen as a great warrior and the male is associated with King Arthur, it symbolizes great power under control, with claws significantly displayed on crests or on shields.Reiki symbols which are generally considered sacred are an essential and interesting part of Reiki practice. Many believe that as a wise creature, it gains wisdom through its winter incubation and it bears a symbol of maternal protection. The Haida associate bear to an elder kinsman and when killed it is believed to be a high ranking guest. The bear has been associated with ferocity, diplomacy and healing powers. In addition to this, bear is a symbol of wisdom for the Lakota Sioux, spirit keeper for the Chippewa and introspection and strength. Bear symbols and tattoos also tend to serve similar functions. People tend to emulate the virtue of the female bear because it is admirable seeing her protect her cub and their claws and teeth are used as amulets, decorations and talismans so as to stir up the powers of the bear. The Shamans and animist believe that bear is a powerful totem or spirit and when seen in peopleвЂ™s dreams, the animals are seen to be the guides from the spirits.

In many indigenous stories, the animal was seen as a transformed human that was a close intimate of humans. The early man started identifying with the bear for several reasons because from the early times when men were hunters and gatherers, they respected and feared the bear and at times even worshiped it because despite being a predator, it had power, strength and was furious. The similarity also comes because the bears tend to stand on their hind legs like man when aggressive or when threatened. The bear occupies the same ecological niche with man and competed for shelter in caves making the bear similar with the early man. The bear hunts for fish and both small and large game. The animal is an omnivorous creature like human beings because it eats roots, nuts, honey, berries, birdвЂ™s eggs and grasses. The bear also represent a gentle friendship and a docile follower in camouflage but its love for honey adds up an amusing element in the symbol of power and dignity.Д«eing a unique animal and off wide rage, bear symbol is extremely popular in legends of many cultures around the world including those of Asian myths, North American and European. The bear is a symbol for strength, courage and tenacity.

Japanese symbol for female courage