The famous charms of Kumano Gongen depicting the crow are still offered today. Based on this legend, the Japanese interpreted the crow as the symbol of guidance and the divine intervention in human affairs. The legend of Yatagarasu, or the crow-god, says that a crow was sent from heaven to guide the Emperor Jimmu on his journey from Kumano to Yamato. The three-legged crow is depicted at various shrine locations, including the Abeno Oji Shrine on the Kumano road and the Yatagarasu Jinja in Nara. The Hachiman dove is the symbolic representation and the messenger of this deity, the so-called Hachiman, or the God of Eight Banners. He was also honored as the god of agriculture by peasants and fishermen. In Japanese mythology, Hachiman was worshiped as the divine protector of Japan and the god of war.
Typically, each kami would have one animal as a messenger, but some had two or more. In early Shinto, it was believed that animals were the messengers of the kami, most commonly doves, deer, crows, and foxes. The hitotsu mono represented the sacred spirit or kami dwelling in a human body. In some cases, the child was replaced by gohei or a doll on a horse saddle.
It was believed that during this state, the child summons prophets. On the day of the festival, a priest would read magic formulas until the child falls into a trance. The child, usually a boy, chosen for this position, purifies his body seven days before the festival. Hitotsu mono refers to a child riding a horse ahead of the shrine’s processions. 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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