Chinese

靈氣 (Ling Qi): Spiritual influence or atmosphere (of beautiful mountains)

Japanese

靈氣 (Reiki): Mysterious presence; mysterious atmosphere; aura of mystery​; spirit/ghost energy


Disassembling the meaning of the word Reiki (靈氣 Kanji Bunkai)

Note: Kanji (漢字) are essentially Chinese characters (specifically logographs) that the Japanese adopted for use in the Japanese writing system. Bunkai (分解) essentially means to disassemble and reduce to component parts.

Japanese Kanji (Chinese Hanzi) are contextual and layered with meaning.  As such it is important to have a general understanding of what each Kanji mean both alone and within context of one another.


Rei 靈

靈 (“Rei”) is comprised of the following “radicals” (inner symbols):

The rain symbolized in the “ame” 雨 character show four drops of water falling from heaven. The versatile nature of water makes it a common spiritual and philosophical subject; Water flows freely, embodies both form and formless, and carries the capacity to change both internally (water/ice/steam) and externally (erosion/grand canyon).

The “kuchi” 口 character is commonly associated with its modern understanding of mouth/opening/hole. However, in the context of “Rei”, the kuchi seem to represent three vessels for gathering water from the “ame” or heavenly rain.

Lastly, the symbol “fu” 巫 generally represents a medium, or shaman, standing tall with arms out calling, tassels hanging from the regalia. In many early cases, such a mediums or “Miko” is generally regarded as feminine.

When taken together, 靈 (“Rei”) can mean: “Spirit / Spiritual”, “Heavenly / Divine”, “Spiritual Phenomena pouring from the peak”.


Ki 氣

氣 (“Ki”) is comprised of the following “radicals” (inner symbols):

In disassembling ki we see the kanji for ki is represented by two radials or components; breath/stream/air and rice given the context and period.

The “ki” 气 radical is meant to represent steam, air, breath or vapor; the essence of the unseen force or spirit that can be felt and cause change. The “kome” 米 represents cooking rice on a pot. Rice has been a staple in the Japanese diet for over 2000 years. This vital crop represents nourishment and life-giving capacity for the body.

Combining these concepts in the more detailed “ki” 氣 illustrates a simple yet profound relationship in motion; steam rising from cooking rice in a pot. However, the meaning of this scenario is much deeper. In this way, the “steam of rice” conveys a meaning closer to “the essence of life”; that which is tangible, knowable, and the core of being.

As such, 氣 (“Ki”) can generally mean: “essential flow”  or “mind/body harmony”.

When put together, the kanji “Reiki” 靈氣 can be understood as “spiritual essence”, “heavenly flow”, “mountain ki”, “universal energy”, “true self” or “Divine (God) Power”.