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Shinkyo Shinkyo or “god’s mirror” is a mystical object that is said to connect our world to the spiritual realm. Shinkyo can be seen displayed on Shinto altars as an avatar of the kami, the idea being that the god will enter the mirror to interact with our world. This belief dates back to a…
02
Shide The white zigzag papers often hang from the shimenawa mentioned above. These items are often used to demarcate the boundaries of a sacred space or border within the sanctuary. The lightning-shaped decorations are called “shide” (pronounced “she-day”) and are also used in a variety of purification ceremonies. There are two theories behind why the…
03
Tomoe The swirling “tomoe” symbol may remind many of China’s well-known yin-yang symbol. However, the meaning and use are quite different. Tomoe, often translated as “comma”, was commonly used on Japanese badges of authority called “mon”, and as such, tomoe is associated with samurai. Tomoe can have two, three or even four commas in its…
04
Shimenawa Shimenawa are ropes often adorned with white zigzag-shaped pieces and natural tassels. They are often seen hanging from toriis, wrapped around trees and sacred rocks or even attached to the waists of some sumo wrestlers. The three are known as “yorishiro”, meaning something that attracts gods or has a god living inside it. They…
05
Sakaki As nature worship is a key element of Shinto, trees play an important role. Certain types are considered sacred and are known as “shinboku”. Not unlike toriis, these trees surrounding a shrine create a sacred area that is considered a purified space. Although there are some types of trees that are considered sacred, there…
06
Torii Perhaps one of the most famous symbols of Shintoism are the majestic portals that mark the entrance to the shrines. Made of wood or stone, the portals with two pillars are called “torii” and delimit the area inhabited by a kami. The act of passing through a torii is seen as a form of…
