Karuna Reiki Symbols: Zonar, Harth and Kriya

Zonar, Harth and Kriya are symbols used in Karuna Reiki, a system of Reiki developed in 1995 by the American Reiki teacher William Lee Rand and his students at the International Center for Reiki Training. Karuna is a Sanskrit word for compassion, and Karuna Reiki® is a registered name of that organisation.

A modern Reiki system

Reiki began in Japan in the 1920s with Mikao Usui. Karuna Reiki is one of several later systems that build on Usui Reiki with additional symbols and practices. It is taught to practitioners who have already completed Reiki master training.

Zonar, Harth and Kriya

Karuna Reiki uses a set of symbols, among them Zonar, Harth and Kriya. In the system's own teaching:

• Zonar is associated with working on past experiences and patterns;
• Harth is associated with love and the heart;
• Kriya, a Sanskrit word for action, is associated with putting intentions into practice.

The spelling "Kriya" is standard; variants such as "Krija" are errors.

Belief and evidence

For practitioners, the symbols are focuses of intention and compassion. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that Reiki has not been clearly shown by high-quality research to be useful for any health-related purpose. The symbols are best understood as part of a spiritual practice rather than as treatments.

Karuna Reiki symbols in jewellery

A Zonar, Harth or Kriya design can be a personal emblem for a Reiki practitioner. You can see the AURYN Zonar, Harth and Kriya charms, or read about Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen, the Reiki distance symbol.