Omamori are Japanese amulets that are
usually sold at Buddhist temples. The meaning of "mamori" is
protection and each omamori has a small piece of wood inside of it, which is
the charm itself. The charm is blessed/purified at the shrine or temple and is
what makes it potent. The exterior pouch that holds the charm is woven
in the same fashion as traditional Japanese kimono cloth. The pouch is usually
woven with different designs and patterns, ranging from family crests of the
shrine/temple to cartoon characters. The modern ones have certain designs
that represent the protection. For example, for air travel there are omamoris
with a picture of a plane. Another significant design would be the color they
use for certain omamoris. For instant riches the omamori color is usually gold,
since it represents money. There are ones that are used for divorce and marriage
luck. Divorce has the color of blue which represents sadness and negativity and
the marriage is in red which shows love, and positivity.
Many
people carry omamori depending on the type of omamori, there are various forms
of luck or protection it carries. There lucks for education, marriage,
business, and family peace. For example, for traffic safety, ones with the
suction cups are used to hang from windows or mirrors. Unlike the
Christianity’s fish on car bumpers, the omamoris are kept inside cars, because
they want to have it nearby. The significance of these amulets is that they
give out an aura that makes one feel safe. People still believe in these charms
because they know their god is looking over them wherever they are. The
negative side of the use of omamori is that it will wear out after a year. So
then visiting a temple each year will be mandatory to exchange the amulet.
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