1.
zigzag paper streamers (Shinto)
White, lightning-bolt-shaped paper strips attached to sacred ropes (注連縄), wands (御幣), and other Shinto ritual objects to mark off purified or sacred space.
Pure Japanese reading despite the kanji compound. The zigzag shape is said to evoke lightning and to ward off evil.
Common collocations
- 紙垂を付ける: to attach paper streamers
- 紙垂のついた注連縄: a sacred rope with paper streamers
- 白い紙垂: white paper streamers
Cultural note
Seen at shrines, on house entrances during New Year, around sumo rings, and on sacred trees. Together with 注連縄 they mark the boundary between everyday and sacred space. Several folding styles exist (吉田流, 白川流, 伊勢流) and the shape varies subtly by shrine tradition.