Shinto-Symbols and Icons

The Torri Gate

The Torri gate symbolizes the gateway between the physical and spiritual world. Mainly because Shinto shrines are located outdoors, because that is where the nature spirits or the Kami that they worship reside. The Torii gate is built with three pieces. It is built with three pieces because three is the sacred number of the Kami.

Tomoe

Tomoe is a symbol common in every Shinto shrine. Tomoe symbolize the circular motion of the earth. The tomoe is made up of two or three interlocked flames. The Tomoe with three flames is said to stand for the earth, the hevans and humankind.

Omamori          

 Omamori are small folded paper or felt packets that you recieve for making donations to a Shinto or Buddhist shrines. Omamori usualy have the name of the shrine that you donated the money to on the front and a short charm on the back. Some examples of the charms are prosperity, health and travel.  Omamori don't expire but most people replace them once a year.

Shrine architecture

Shinto shrines are very diffrent from one another but are all equal in beauty. Shinto shrines usualy have two main features. One has a more complex main hall and the other with a more simple shape based on grainaries from anchient Japan.

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About.com: Alternative relgions. Shinto Symbols. 2008. 17 Sep. 2008 http://altreligion.about.com/library/glossary/symbols/blasiansymbols.htm.

Asaininfo.org. Shinto Architecture. 2000. 17 Sep. 2008 http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/japan/architecture.htm.

Rujivacharakul, Vimalin. Shinto Architecture. Sum. 2000. 17 Sep. 2008 http://orias.berkeley.edu/visuals/japan_visuals/shinto.HTM.

Symbolic meanings. Shinto Symbol Meanings. 12 Dec. 2007. 17 Sep. 2008 http://symbolic-meanings.com/2007/12/12/shinto-symbol-meanings-dragon-kami-torri-symbols/.

Take the Shintoism Symbols Quiz