Japan - Nikko - Shimenawa and Shime tied to a tree in the grounds of a temple.

Shimenawa and Shime tied to a tree in the grounds of a temple. Nikko, Japan. Sacred places are typically marked with a shimenawa (special plaited rope) and shime (strips of white paper). Placed at the entrances of holy places to ward off evil spirits, or placed around trees/objects to indicate presence of kami. Made of rice straw or hemp, the rope is called nawa 縄. The pieces of white paper that are cut into strips and hung from these ropes (often hung from ropes on Torii gates as well) are called shime 注連 or gohei; they symbolize purity in the Shintō faith.

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Copyright: Mike Abrahams
Image Size: 2828x4242 / 1.5MB; Asia Buddhast Buddhism Buddhist Japan Japanese Nikko Shime Shimenawa Shinto holy religious shrine
Contained in galleries: Mike Abrahams - All pics

Shimenawa and Shime tied to a tree in the grounds of a temple. Nikko, Japan. Sacred places are typically marked with a shimenawa (special plaited rope) and shime (strips of white paper). Placed at the entrances of holy places to ward off evil spirits, or placed around trees/objects to indicate presence of kami. Made of rice straw or hemp, the rope is called nawa 縄. The pieces of white paper that are cut into strips and hung from these ropes (often hung from ropes on Torii gates as well) are called shime 注連 or gohei; they symbolize purity in the Shintō faith.