1.
sacred rope; shimenawa
A rope made of rice straw, used in Shinto to mark sacred or purified areas. Often hung at shrine entrances or around sacred trees and rocks.
注連縄 is a key element of Shinto ritual objects.
Cultural note
- Made from rice straw (藁)
- Often has white paper streamers (紙垂) attached
- Marks the boundary between sacred and profane space
- 出雲大社 has one of Japan's largest 注連縄
CULTURAL NOTE (New Year):
注連縄飾り (shimenawa decoration) is displayed at entrances during the New Year period to invite good fortune.
Related Words
Related:
しめ飾り (New Year's rope decoration)