Understanding Japanese Symbols: Meanings, Emblems, and Cultural Significance
What Does This Mean? Symbols, Meanings, Emblems and Shapes in Japan.
In Japan, symbols are a big part of daily life, often conveying deeper meanings about spirituality, tradition, and culture. Here are some of the most common symbols you'll encounter during your visit.
Contents
- Common Symbols and Meanings in Japan
- Symbols in Shinto Temples
- Symbols in Buddhist Temples
- Offerings and Rituals
- Special Symbols and Practices
- Special Figures and Symbols
Common Symbols and Meanings in Japan
Maneki Neko (Japanese Lucky Cats) at Gotokuji Temple, Tokyo.
- Salt: Purity and protection from evil spirits, often used in sumo wrestling or at restaurant entrances.
- Crane: Longevity and good fortune.
- Sakura (Cherry Blossom): The fleeting nature of beauty and life.
- Carp: Perseverance and determination.
- Red Gate (Torii): Marks the boundary between the sacred and the everyday world.
- Dragon: Strength and wisdom (Japanese dragons have three toes, unlike Chinese dragons, which have four).
- Chrysanthemum Flower: The symbol of the Japanese imperial family.
- Japanese Flag: Represents the Sun, an important Shinto god.
- Round Circle: Completeness and the universe.
- Beckoning Cat (Maneki Neko): Brings good fortune, with different colors representing luck for health, protection, or wealth.
Symbols in Shinto Temples
Zen Circle (Enso)
Shintoism, Japan’s indigenous religion, also uses many symbols found in temples and shrines:
- Zen Circle (Enso): Represents emptiness and the universe, encouraging a clear mind.
- Rice: Symbolizes the Shinto religion and is used in offerings to the gods.
- Sun: The most important Shinto god, symbolizing Japan as the "land of the rising sun."
- Deer: Sacred messengers of the gods, especially in Nara where they roam freely.
- Shide: White "zig zag" papers that represent the lightning wand. Shinto priests use it for purification.
- Incense Burners/Candles: Smoke is believed to have healing properties.
- Dog Statues (Komainu): Protect Shinto shrines. The open mouth means new beginnings, and the closed mouth means endings.
- Fox (Inari): Represents the god of rice and fertility.
- Sake Barrels: Donated to Shinto shrines as symbols of unity between people and the gods.
Symbols in Buddhist Temples
Buddhism plays a major role in Japan, and you'll find many symbolic representations in Buddhist temples:
- Manji (Swastika): A symbol of good luck and health, not to be confused with the Western swastika.
- Agyo and Ugyo: Statues at temple gates protecting against evil spirits, symbolizing life and death.
- Raijin and Fujin: The gods of thunder and wind, similar to figures in Greek mythology, embodying natural forces.
- Fudou Myoo (Acala): Represents wisdom and the cutting of ignorance with his sword.
- Stone Lanterns: Traditionally offerings to Buddha, placed in temple gardens.
Colorful flags (green, yellow, red, white, blue) represent the five Dhyani Buddhas and the five elements in Buddhism (wood, fire, earth, metal, water). Each color symbolizes different virtues and teachings:
- Blue: Loving kindness, peace, and healing.
- Yellow: The Middle Way, the path to enlightenment, and renunciation.
- Red: Achievement, wisdom, virtue, fortune, and dignity.
- White: Purity, emancipation, and the timelessness of Dharma (the Buddha's teachings).
- Orange: The essence of Buddhism, wisdom, strength, and dignity.
These flags are also displayed during the celebration of Buddha's birthday (Hanamatsuri).
Offerings and Rituals
Various rituals and offerings are made in Japan to honor the gods and spirits:
- Omamori Amulets: Sold at temples for protection from misfortune and bad luck.
- Omikuji and Ema: Fortune-telling papers. Omikuji predict fortune or misfortune, while Ema are wooden plaques with prayers or wishes.
- Incense Burners and Candles: Smoke represents healing properties, and candles symbolize the light of Buddha’s teachings.
Special Symbols and Practices
Jizo statues with red bibs and hats at a shrine in Tokyo.
These symbols have deeper meanings related to specific rituals and practices:
- Folding Fan: Signifies prosperity and blooming flowers. Used in tea ceremonies to mark participant boundaries.
- Statues with Red Bibs: Protect children who died before their parents, with “Jizo” being a protector of children and travelers.
- Rice Straws: Used at shrine entrances and around spiritual objects to protect from evil spirits.
- Ringing the Bell and Clapping Hands: Used to call the attention of the gods.
Special Figures and Symbols
Fox statues at Fushimi Inari in Kyoto, Japan.
These figures and symbols are commonly seen in various cultural and folkloric traditions in Japan:
- Maneki Neko (Beckoning Cat): Brings luck and health (white), protection from evil spirits (black), and money (gold).
- Daruma Doll: Symbolizes good luck, with the right eye painted before making a wish and the left eye when the wish is granted.
- Owl Figure (Fukuro): Protects from hardship and symbolizes luck.
- Frog Figure (Kaeru): Represents safe return, as "Kaeru" also means "to return."
- Tanuki Statue: Brings good luck, often depicted with a sake bottle for prosperity.
- Biliken: A charm doll symbolizing good luck and happiness.
- Chrysanthemum Flower: Symbol of endurance and used by the imperial family.
- Bonsai: Symbolizes harmony and balance.
- Lotus Flower: Symbolizes purity, often associated with Buddhism.
- Gourd: Represents good luck and health, based on Taoist beliefs.
- Acorn: Symbolizes good luck.
- Tomoe: The three commas symbolizing earth, sky, and human, used in both Shinto and Buddhist contexts.
- Lion on the Roof (Shisa): Protects homes from evil spirits, especially in Okinawa.
- Dragon Fountain at Sensō-ji Temple: Represents water deities, strength, and wisdom.
- Koi Fish: Symbolizes perseverance, inspired by a Chinese tale of koi becoming dragons.
- Dragonfly: Represents persistence, as dragonflies always move forward.
- Paper Crane: A symbol of peace.
- Phoenix: Represents the royal family in Japan and China.
- Kadomatsu: A New Year decoration made of three bamboo pieces, symbolizing growth and renewal.
- Rice Cakes (Kagami Mochi): Represents old and new generations, eaten on January 11th.
- Hina Dolls: Represent the Heian Period’s imperial family and are displayed for girls' day in March.
- Okame: A smiling woman bringing happiness and wealth.
- Kitsune: Foxes that are messengers for the god Inari, sometimes seen as good or evil.
- Tengu: Half-human, half-bird beings that protect Buddhist temples.
- Oni: Red or blue devils in Japanese folklore, often depicted as ogres in children’s stories.
