1.
votive tablet; wishing plaque
A small wooden plaque sold at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples on which worshippers write their prayers or wishes. Originally depicted horses as offerings to the gods.
絵馬に合格の願いを書いた。
I wrote my wish to pass the exam on an ema.
神社には絵馬がたくさん掛けられていた。
Many ema were hung at the shrine.
絵馬を奉納して祈願する。
One makes a wish by dedicating an ema.
ETYMOLOGY:
絵 (picture) + 馬 (horse)
Originally, real horses were donated to shrines. Later, pictures of horses were substituted, eventually evolving into wooden tablets.
USAGE:
1. Purchase an 絵馬 at the shrine/temple
2. Write your wish on the back
3. Hang it at the designated place
DESIGNS:
Ema often feature:
- The shrine's deity or symbol
- The current year's zodiac animal
- Anime/manga characters (at some shrines)
COMMON WISHES:
- 合格: passing exams
- 健康: health
- 縁結び: finding love
- 安産: safe childbirth