Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen Reiki Distance Symbol

When learning about the Usui Reiki symbols, the third symbol after Cho Ku Rei and Sei Hei Ki is traditionally Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen. This is often called the Distance Reiki symbol, and is classically taught in Level II trainings.

Let’s explore more about HSZSN, including how to draw it, its meaning, and its uses. As background, my name is Lillie, and I’m a Boston Reiki practitioner and trainer who has done hands-on work with hundreds of clients since 2018. I write from personal lived experience, as well as my own extensive training in the field.

Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen

As you can see from my hand-drawn illustration above, HSZSN is one of the most complicated Reiki symbols to sketch — consisting of 21 lines, and written from top to bottom. Above, I’ve indicated the order of each line by rainbow order, starting with the red horizontal line, which goes from left to right.

Now, an important disclaimer: This article is meant to reinforce and supplement — NOT replace — an in-person Reiki certification course. To access the full power of each symbol, a formal attunement with a trained Reiki Master Teacher is essential.

The Distance Reiki Symbol

So, what is the meaning of Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen? Its rough translation is: “Across past, present, and future,” which correlates to its function as the “Distance Reiki” symbol. What this means is that HSZSN is beautifully functional to balance chakras and energy across both time and space.

For example, whenever I am with a Reiki client and find myself having trouble drawing the lines of HSZSN with my eyes (which I can usually do easily, given the number of times I’ve done it), I know there is probably an energetic block happening across either time or space. Since one of the benefits of Reiki is that the practitioner stays in the room with the client the whole time, I usually open a discussion at that point to analyze what is going on, and what is the most nourishing path forward.

For example, the other day I felt a block with drawing HSZSN over the First or Root Chakra (associated with a red aura and feelings of safety) with a client. When we discussed this, she revealed that her childhood had been a dangerous and unsafe one. We focused intention and energy to the First Chakra area, and I repeated HSZSN over it until we felt the block begin to ease and flow.

Uses Across Time and Space

HSZSN is powerful in helping send energy to heal wounds from a younger or future version of a person (across time), or across geographical distance through remote Reiki. (As explained in “What is Reiki,” this energy work is usually done with the client in the room, but doesn’t need to be.)

Another way this can interpret the “across space” theme is if the client is connected with someone who is far away. For example, drawing HSZSN on the heart chakra (associated with love and a green aura) can help address and soothe long-distance relationships.

Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen, in Sum

I hope this article on the Usui Level II Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen Remote Reiki symbol has been helpful and illuminating. Remote or distant Reiki can be very powerful.

What else would you like me to discuss in the world of Reiki therapy? Do share!

Interested in purchasing any of my Reiki symbol artwork for printing or posters? Do reach out with this contact page.