Symbols have been used since ancient times to represent
belief, action, or material entities.
Through time, symbols are often transformed and repurposed to take on new
connotations. Symbols are used to convey
a sense of meaning to the viewer interpreting them. There are many symbols referenced in my
Witches of Griffin series; some are mentioned in this blog.
The Reiki Cho Ku Rei is a power symbol used in Usui Reiki. Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui developed Usui
Reiki in 1922. Of course “hands on
healing” with energy has been done since ancient times, so Reiki can be seen as
a resurgence of the ancient healing methods.
The Cho Ku Rei symbol essentially means, “Place the power of the
universe here.” I practice Usui Reiki
and the Cho Ku Rei is the symbol I use most, since this symbol can increase the
power of Reiki. It also serves as a sign
of protection. Here’s my short blog on
Reiki: http://www.lahilden.com/index.php?categoryid=6&p2_articleid=94
The Triskelion is a symbol of three interlocking
spirals. These spirals are said to
represent three bent human legs or three curved lines that extend from the
center. The triskelion’s first
appearance was in Malta in 4400-3600 BC.
The triple spiral is a Neolithic symbol in Western Europe and although
it’s considered Celtic, it’s actually pre-Celtic, although it was incorporated
into Celtic culture and is seen on Megalithic and Neolithic sites in Ireland. The symbol took on new meaning with the
arrival of Christianity to Ireland, as it came to represent the Holy
Trinity. To the pagans, this symbol
represented the three realms, Sea, Sky and Earth, as well as deities like
Manannan mac Lir, a sea deity in Irish mythology. This symbol often represents the power of
three.
The Chinese Taijitu is a fairly common symbol in the United
States and is usually referred to as the Yin/Yang symbol. “The symbol is to serve as a diagram of
supreme ultimate” according to the followers of the religious and philosophical
traditions of Taoism. The symbol
consists of one black and one white tadpole shape that fit together to form a
perfect circle. Each side contains a
part of the other, as is represented with the dot of the opposites color in
each halves center. This signifies how
the halves becoming whole when placed together.
The dark side represents the Yin, which is the feminine side (earth,
moon, night, passive, and cold) and the white the Yang, the masculine side
(fire, sky, day, aggressive, and hot).
The symbol signifies how everything exists in duality, but one cannot
exist without the other, as they are interdependent. Thus the symbol’s power comes from having
perfect balance.
The Ankh is the Ancient Egyptian symbol of Life and one of
the most recognizable hieroglyphs in the world.
It looks much like the Christian cross with a loop above the transverse
bar. The meaning of the ankh is eternal
life for it represents the souls immortality.
This symbol is often seen in Ancient Egyptian art, with the ankh being
fed or inhaled by the pharaoh to assure the leader’s immortality. This symbol was later associated with
Christianity and referred to as a Coptic cross.
A special thank you to:
http://www.alkhemi.co.uk/page33.htm
http://www.reiki.nu/treatment/symbols/chokurei/chokurei.html
http://www.ancient-symbols.com/symbols-directory/taijitu.html
