注連縄(しめなわ)

しめなわ
noun
sacred rope; shimenawa
culture
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.
神社(じんじゃ)の鳥居(とりい)に注連縄(しめなわ)が掛(か)かっている。
A shimenawa hangs on the shrine's torii gate.
正月(しょうがつ)には玄関(げんかん)に注連縄(しめなわ)飾(かざ)りを付(つ)ける。
We put up shimenawa decorations at the entrance for New Year.
御神木(ごしんぼく)には太(ふと)い注連縄(しめなわ)が巻(ま)かれている。
A thick shimenawa is wrapped around the sacred tree.

注連縄(しめなわ) is a key element of Shinto ritual objects.

Characteristics

  • Made from rice straw (藁(わら))
  • Often has white paper streamers (紙垂(しで)) attached
  • Marks the boundary between sacred and profane space

Famous examples

New year custom

注連縄(しめなわ)飾(かざ)り (shimenawa decoration) is displayed at entrances during the New Year period to invite good fortune.

Related Words

Related: しめ飾(かざ)り (New Year's rope decoration)
general
Added 2026.1.17 6:25 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02
06000/06015_shimenawa