Entering a Torii Gate Shrine 鳥 居
A torii stands as an iconic symbol of Japanese culture, predominantly positioned at the entryway or within the precincts of a Shinto shrine. This archetypal structure serves as a metaphysical boundary, demarcating the profane external world from the hallowed grounds within, and acts as a welcoming point for the kami. In Shinto belief, kami are revered entities that encompass gods, divine spirits, and various phenomena or essences that command respect. They manifest in myriad forms, including elements of the natural world, potent forces of nature, or as spirits of esteemed ancestors. It is not uncommon for kami to be regarded as the primordial forebears of entire lineages, deeply embedded in the spiritual heritage of clans. The torii, therefore, is not merely architectural; it is a portal for the sacred, inviting the ethereal presence of the kami into the shrine and, by extension, into the lives of the faithful. Wikipedia
Entering a Torii Gate Shrine 鳥 居
A torii stands as an iconic symbol of Japanese culture, predominantly positioned at the entryway or within the precincts of a Shinto shrine. This archetypal structure serves as a metaphysical boundary, demarcating the profane external world from the hallowed grounds within, and acts as a welcoming point for the kami. In Shinto belief, kami are revered entities that encompass gods, divine spirits, and various phenomena or essences that command respect. They manifest in myriad forms, including elements of the natural world, potent forces of nature, or as spirits of esteemed ancestors. It is not uncommon for kami to be regarded as the primordial forebears of entire lineages, deeply embedded in the spiritual heritage of clans. The torii, therefore, is not merely architectural; it is a portal for the sacred, inviting the ethereal presence of the kami into the shrine and, by extension, into the lives of the faithful. Wikipedia