A complete summary of the types, meanings and origins of amulets

What is a talisman anyway?

Omamori are lucky charms that are the embodiment of people's wishes. Omamori are generally small bags closed with string. It is said that if you wear it on your body, carry it around, or stick it on a pillar, you will be protected from evil spirits and evil spirits.

The origins of such charms date back to the Jomon period. It is said that the origin of charms was the magatama that people wore as talismans to ward off evil, and in the 6th century, with the spread of Buddhism, talismans began to be distributed at temples.

The way they are counted shows that they have been worshipped as divine figures since ancient times. Amulets are counted as "1 tai, 2 tai" rather than "hitotsu, futsu" or "1 ko, 2 ko."

Various types of amulets

From here, let's take a look at the different types of amulets.

Amulets for praying for good health

It is a talisman for praying for a long and healthy life. Similar talismans to prayers for health include those for recovery from illness, good health, and longevity. Good health is a talisman for praying to avoid getting sick or injured. If you do get sick or injured, you pray for a quick recovery.

Some of the charms are specialized for specific parts of the body, such as for the legs and hips. Incidentally, shrines that worship Yakushi are said to grant prayers for longevity.

Amulets for praying for safety

There are various types of safety prayers, such as for household safety, road safety, and aviation safety.

The talisman for household safety is a prayer for the health and happiness of all family members. Its power also brings benefits from disasters such as fire, water disasters, and family troubles.

Additionally, it is a talisman that prays for safe traffic and aviation safety, and also carries the meaning of "May you be able to commute to work or school safely, or travel safely."

Amulet for financial luck and career advancement

Money luck charms are for praying for increased income, savings, and successful asset management. For those who want to improve their money and career luck, we also recommend charms for business prosperity, increased wealth, and attracting many customers.

Some shrines that are said to increase financial luck enshrine Ebisu, plants, stones, and more.

Recently, talismans for "successful career advancement" and "promotion" have also become popular.

Love charm

Matchmaking amulets include those for successful romance and marital harmony.

Love Success is a talisman that will make all your love-related wishes come true. It can also help you develop a relationship with someone you've already met.

Amulets for marital harmony are used to pray for a happy marriage that will continue forever. The most typical "marriage amulets" can be obtained at shrines all over the country.

If you want to meet a good partner, choose a charm for praying for a good relationship, not for romantic success. It will help you make good connections in business or friendship.

Academic talisman

Academic amulets include prayers for academic success and passing exams.

Academic success is a talisman that prays for success in studying, achieving goals, and improving grades.

On the other hand, amulets for praying for success are used to pray for passing exams such as entrance exams to a school of one's choice or exams that result in a pass or fail.

Amulets for children and safe childbirth

Amulets for children and safe childbirth include those for praying for fertility and safe childbirth.

Fertility amulets are used to pray for couples to be blessed with children.

A prayer for safe childbirth is a talisman that is prayed for to ensure a safe birth for pregnant women. Suitengu shrines across the country are famous as shrines that grant prayers for safe childbirth. You can receive a "baby sling" as a talisman.

Amulets to ward off evil spirits

Examples of warding off bad luck include bringing good fortune, warding off disasters, and warding off bad directions.

It is said that it is good to carry an amulet to ward off bad luck when you are in an unlucky year, and to carry an amulet to bring good luck and ward off disasters when your luck has not been good throughout the year.

Major temples and shrines along the Nankai Line where you can get amulets

Finally, we will introduce the main temples and shrines along the Nankai Line where you can get amulets.

Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine

This is the head shrine of Sumiyoshi Shrine, which has about 2,300 branches nationwide. It is known as "Sumiyossan" in Osaka, and has been loved for a long time. It is also famous nationwide, with more than 2.3 million visitors at the beginning of the year.

It is said that if you pick up a pebble from "Goshogozen", located south of the First Main Shrine , and use it as a talisman, your wish will come true.

The items to be picked up are three pebbles with the characters "5," "Dai," and "Chikara" written in ink. They are hidden among the pebbles scattered around the base of the cedar tree at Goshogozen. Find a set of three with the characters "5," "Dai," and "Chikara" written on them, and place them in a special bag as a talisman. If you do, you will be granted the five powers of physical strength, intelligence, wealth, good fortune, and longevity, and will receive the blessing of making your wishes come true.

DATA

・Business hours: 9:00-17:00 (amulet gift shop)

・TEL: 06-6672-0753

Address: 2-9-89 Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture

Access: 3 minutes on foot from Sumiyoshi-Taisha Station on the Nankai Main Line

About 5 minutes walk from Sumiyoshi-Higashi Station on the Nankai Koya Line

A short walk from the Sumiyoshi Torii-mae tram stop on the Hankai Tram Line

Awashima Shrine

Awashima Shrine, with its eye-catching rows of Hina dolls in the worship hall, is famous for its Hina Nagashi ritual. It is said to bring good fortune in areas such as treating gynecological illnesses, praying for safe childbirth, and finding love, and is also popular as a power spot for women.

Famous talismans
Awashima Shrine's charms are characterized by their wide variety. Among them, there are many charms related to women, such as charms for female health, safe childbirth, and matchmaking. Of course, you can also receive standard charms such as those for good health and protection from misfortune.

DATA

・Business hours: 9:00-17:00

・TEL: 073-459-0043

Address: 118 Kada, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture

Access: 20 minutes on foot from Kada Station on the Nankai Electric Railway Kada Line

Imamiya Ebisu Shrine

This shrine enshrines Ebisu, the god of prosperity in business. The Toka Ebisu festival, held for three days from January 9th to 11th every year, is a very lively event, attracting approximately one million worshippers every year.

Famous talismans
Imamiya Ebisu Shrine has several amulets that can only be purchased here, such as the "Fuku Musume Amulet," "Oban," and "Ebisu Tai," which are said to grant the blessings of Ebisu's blessings of prosperous business and good fortune.

One of the most famous is the "Ebisu-mamori," a small talisman depicting a smiling Ebisu deity holding a bright red sea bream in his left hand and a fishing rod in his right, and with this charm you can always feel the blessings of prosperous business and good fortune.

DATA

・Business hours: 9:00-17:00

・TEL: 06-6643-0150

Address: 1-6-10 Ebisu Nishi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture

Access: 2 minutes on foot from Imamiya-Ebisu Station on the Nankai Koya Line

Find your favorite amulet that matches your wish!

In this article, we introduced the different types of omamori, their meanings, and their origins. Nowadays, there are many variations in omamori, with a huge variety of shapes, colors, and designs. If you wear your favorite omamori that matches your wish, the gods will surely lend you their strength.