![]() They were also believed to be the representative or the substitute of kami. Miko or the priestesses of kami were replaced by Kannushi, meaning shrine caretaker or the one who offers prayers.Īs the name suggests, Kannushi was a priest who was thought to possess special powers over the world of spirits. ![]() Their robe and position are just the relics of the original Miko.Īfter the matriarchic period had passed, men assumed the leading roles in Shinto. Today, the Miko are merely assistants to the priests and shrine maidens, selling postcards, charms, performing sacred dances, and serving teas to the guests. Only women considered the purest could become Miko, and they partook in sacred food offerings, which was the most divine act in Shinto rites. Some women were at the center of the kami worship and were called Miko, which means the child of the kami. The superior position of women in their society is indisputable because of the position they held in Shinto. It was common to have female rulers and leaders. However, these figures played an important part in Shinto and are considered to be a connecting link expressing the people’s love towards kami.Īccording to modern scholars, the ancient Japanese society was mainly matriarchic. The original symbolic meaning and use of these symbols has either been greatly altered or lost. In this article, we will dive into some of the most notable Shinto symbols, of both categories, and take a closer look at their origins and meanings. The Symbols of The Faith – This group of symbols includes Shinto equipment and structures, sacred music, dances, ceremonies, and offerings.The Symbols of The Kami – This includes men, animals, objects of nature, sacred vessels, crests, charms, and others.When considering the Shinto symbols, the distinction should be made between the two types: The universe is filled with these sacred spirits, and they are also seen as the Shinto deities. According to Shinto beliefs, kami resides in mountains, waterfalls, trees, rocks, and all the other things in nature, including people, animals, and ancestors. The ancient religion of Japan, Shinto, also known as Kami-no-Michi, can be translated as the way of the gods.Īt the core of the Shinto religion is the belief in the forces of nature called kami, meaning the sacred spirits or divine beings that exist in all things.
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