Omikuji, a fortune paper drawn during a visit to a shrine, is a traditional Japanese form of divination. It has long been rooted in Japanese religious culture and has been valued as a means for worshippers to receive messages from the gods. Omikuji are ranked as Daikichi, Chukichi, Shokichi, Kichi, Sueyoshi, and Wai, each with a detailed description of its fortune.
How to draw omikuji and its style
To draw a fortune, first purify your mind at the shrine office or in front of the special box, and offer a small coin. Shake the box lightly and wait until a stick comes out. Based on the number written on the stick that comes out, take out the corresponding omikuji. This process is a quiet time to face oneself and try to communicate with God.
How to Enjoy Omikuji and Tips
Omikuji is not only to predict your fortune, but also to find guidance for your life from the words of the omikuji. If the result is good, we rejoice; if it is bad, we consider its meaning and apply it to our future actions. Drawing fortunes together with friends and family members also allows you to share each other’s fortunes and strengthen your bond.
How to tie a fortune and its symbolism
It is common practice to tie omikuji, regardless of whether they are good or bad, to a specific place on the shrine grounds. This is done to tie good fortune to sustain its effect, or to entrust bad fortune to the gods for purification. The act of tying the object itself also has the meaning of making a wish.
Omikuji and Japanese Spirituality
Omikuji reflect the spirituality and values of the Japanese people. For foreigners, they provide a window to understand Japanese religious beliefs and the beliefs that are rooted in people’s lives. Drawing omikuji lots in the beautiful natural setting of a shrine is a special experience that allows visitors to experience Japanese spiritual culture firsthand.
Preparations for drawing omikuji
When drawing omikuji, it is important to have a humble and grateful heart. Take the message from God seriously and view it as an opportunity to reflect on your own behavior. It is also recommended that you draw your fortune quietly and mindfully while enjoying the atmosphere and nature of the shrine.
Omikuji and Japan’s Four Seasons
It is believed that the four seasons in Japan also influence the results of omikuji. For example, the omikuji drawn on New Year’s Day at the New Year’s Pilgrimage has an important meaning in predicting one’s fortune for the year ahead. Omikuji drawn at the change of seasons or on special occasions are considered to indicate one’s fortune and preparedness for the season.
In this way, omikuji has a deeper meaning than mere fortune-telling and is a valuable experience that allows visitors to get in touch with Japanese culture and spirituality. When you visit Japan, please try to draw an omikuji at a shrine. Through its results, you will face yourself and gain a deeper understanding of traditional Japanese culture.
