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Torii
Gate (O-Torii)
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of Symbols
The gate to a Shinto shrine (Jinja), the Torii designates holy ground. As Shinto
is a religion of worship of nature spirits, or Kami, most Shinto shrines are
located outdoors. The Gate marks the gateway between the physical and spiritual
worlds, and is often the only ondication that one is entering a shrine.
The
Torii is traditionally made in three pieces, three being a sacred number of
the Kami. When
entering a shrine, a visitor will clap their hands three times, and bow three
times to summon the spirits.
Related
Resources:
Shinto
Learn about the beliefs and customs of Shinto, Asia's most ancient ancestral
religion.
Taoism/Daoism
Taoism (also known as Daoism)is both a religion and a philosophy, and an
influence on Asian society for two thousand years. Learn what makes
Taoism so unique. includes links to texts, information about deities,
beliefs, pictures and biographies.
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