Harae - purification rites

Harae - purification rites

Temizuya (purification fountain) at a shrine, guarded by a dragon

Purity can be restored through specific Shinto rituals and personal practices that cleanse both body and mind.

Water and salt are commonly used as purifying agents, and a haraigushi (see below) can also be used.

Purifying rituals are always performed at the start of Shinto religious ceremonies.

One of the simplest purifications is the rinsing of face and hands with pure water in the temizu ritual at the start of a shrine visit in order to make the visitor pure enough to approach the kami.

The concept of purification originates in the legend of the god Izanagi no mikoto who washed himself free of pollution after visiting his wife in the Land of the Dead.

Haraigushi

This is a purification wand, and consists of a stick with streamers of white paper or flax fastened to one end. It is waved by a priest over the person, place or object to be purified.

Misogi

This term covers purification rituals in general, or purification rituals using water to free body and mind from pollution.

Oharae

This is the "ceremony of great purification". It is a special purification ritual that is used to remove sin and pollution from a large group.

The ritual is performed at the end of June and December in the Imperial Household and at other shrines in order to purify the whole population.

Oharae can also be performed as a year-end purification ritual for companies, or on certain occasions such as the aftermath of a disaster.

Shubatsu

Shubatsu is a purification ritual in which salt is sprinkled on priests or worshippers, or on the ground to purify it.

One notable use of salt in purification is found in Sumo wrestling when the fighters sprinkle salt around the ring to purify it.

Find out more

• Purity
• Izanagi purifies himself
• Worship