content: Have you bought lucky charms called Omamori at shrines or temples before? This article focuses on the many types of Japanese lucky charms by purpose. Let’s find the perfect lucky charm for you in Japan.
Summary
Have you bought lucky charms called Omamori at shrines or temples before? There are more than 20 kinds of lucky charms said to be able to fulfill various wishes such as love, health, luck and so on. This article focuses on the many types of Japanese lucky charms by purpose. Let’s find the perfect lucky charm for you in Japan.
What are Lucky Charms (Omamori)?
Japanese people customarily have worn various sacred items blessed with the power of a Kami (deity) or Buddha, made through the use of ritual in the purpose of warding off evils and bad luck or beckoning good luck. This is the origin of a lucky charm.
Omamori covered with a small bag encloses a portable form of “Ofuda” which is said to ward off evil and give the bearer protection. Ofuda represents the Kami on a strip of paper, wood, or metal, and is normally given out after a practice of a ritual ceremony by the shrine priests.
The modern lucky charm style is originated in a lucky charm bag inside of which has “Gofu,” a household amulet issued by a shrine or a temple, to hang in the house for protection.
Nowadays, shrines provide may types of lucky charm which are covered with a thick, woven bag.
Types of Lucky Charms
[”健康(Kenko)” Health]
●”健康祈願(Kenko Kigan)” Good Health
This lucky charm is supposed to keep you in a good health.
●”無病息災(Mubyo Sokusai)” Ward off diseases
This lucky charm is said to ward off diseases and injuries, and help one to get well soon.
●”病気平癒(Byoki Heiyu)” Get Well Soon
This lucky charm is said to help recover from illness.
[“縁結び・出産(Enmusubi/Shussan)” Romance and Safe Childbirth]
●”縁結び(Enmusubi)” Finding a Partner
●”恋愛成就(Renai Joju)” Marriage or Love
These lucky charms are for relationships, such as encountering a soulmate or a good business partner. It is not limited to encounters between men and women.
●”安産祈願(Anzan Kigan)” Safe Childbirth
This lucky charm is for pregnant women who wish to have a safe and easy childbirth, making it a popular gift for expecting mothers.
●”子授守(Kosazuke Mamori)” Being Blessed with Children
This lucky charm is said to work to improve fertility. It is called “Kodakara mamori” in Japanese. Kodakara means “being blessed with children.”How to carry the lucky charm?
Keep it inside your bag or diary where it is not exposed to many people.
[“厄除け(Yakuyoke)” Avoidance of Evil]
●”厄除御守(Yakuyoke Omamori)” Avoidance of Evil
This lucky charm is said to ward off evil.
●“方位除守(Hoiyoke Mamori)” Ward off Direction Related Evil
This lucky charm is for protection or removing calamities related to directions. The direction where a good Kami resides is called “Kichi-houi,” (lucky direction), while the direction where bad Kami lives is called “Kyo-houi” (bad direction).
Some people carry the lucky charm to have their bad luck or negative energy removed when they move to a new location due to travelling or marriage, wishing to avoid calamities as much as possible.
●”開運除災(Kaiun Josai)” Open Luck and Avoidance of Calamities
People, who don’t have any specific wishes, tend to choose this lucky charm to open luck and fulfill better fortune. How to carry the lucky charm?
If you want to protect yourself from many kinds of bad luck, carry it every day, keeping it inside your bag or other belongings.
[“交通安全(Kotsu anzen)” Household Safety and Traffic Safety]
●”家内安全(Kanai Anzen)” Household Safety
This lucky charm is said to bring peace and prosperity in a household, and protects traffic accidents whilst travelling.
● “交通安全(Kotsu Anzen)” Traffic Safety
This lucky charm will provide safe journey and protect a driver and a vehicle. Without any traffic accidents, it leads you to the last destination.
●”旅行安全(Ryoko Anzen)” Travel Safety
During your travelling, you may come across unexpected accidents. This lucky charm will protect you from bad luck on the whole journey. How to carry the lucky charm?
When you go out, make sure to carry this lucky charm. If you are a cyclist or a biker, keep it together with your vehicle key. Some people hang this from their rear view mirror. To protect you from any traffic accidents, carry it with you. It is good for children to attach it in their school bags.
[“学業(Gakugyo)” Education]
●”合格祈願(Gokaku Kigan)” Passing Exams
It is good for examinees as it will help to pass examinations. In January, many people buy this lucky charm as many examinations are held around February.
●”学業成就(Gakugyo Joju)” Study
This lucky charm is said to help achieve students’ academic goals.
[“金運” Money / Success in Business]
●”金運上昇(Kinun Josho)” Money
This lucky charm is supposed to help increase finances.
●”財産上昇(Zaisan Josho)” Prosperity
This lucky charm will provide good luck to expand financial assets.
●”商売繁盛(Shobai Hanjo)” Success in Business
This lucky charm is said to have your business venture go well.
●”千客万来(Senkyaku Banrai)” Beckon Customers
●”出世成功(Shusse Seiko)” Success in Life/Career Progression
This lucky charm will lead you to succeed in life.
●”昇格昇進(Syokaku Shoshin)” Promotion in Business
This lucky charm is similar to the charm for success in life, but it especially focuses on success in business. How to carry the lucky charm?
You may have an itch to place this lucky charm in your wallet, but it does not work. It will bring you an adverse effect. If you keep it inside a wallet, and place it an inside pocket near your bottom, you will not have luck with money. Prepare a small bag and carry the lucky charm inside the bag, separate from your wallet!Where to place the lucky charm?
It is believed that Kami resides in a lucky charm, and when Kami creates a comfortable space, the bearer’s wish is fulfilled. The best way to carry a lucky charm is by hanging it from your neck, like a necklace, and put it in your inside pocket. To do so, you need to put a long string through the lucky charm. Another way is, keep the charm in your inside pocket in the bag, which many Japanese do. Do not cover the lucky charm with papers or a handkerchief. What to avoid is placing it in your inside pocket near the bottom, keeping it on a floor or on a messy place. Because it is considered rude.
There are different places for carrying a lucky charm, depending on the type and purpose.
[Other types of lucky charm]
●”開運招福(Kaiun Shofuku)” General Good Luck
This lucky charm is said to beckon a good Kami who will help to open your luck.
●”諸願成就(Shogan Joju)” Fulfillment of Many Wishes
This lucky charm is said to encourage to achieve a variety of wishes.
●”五穀豊穣(Gokoku Hojo)” Bumper Harvest
This charm is supposed to foster healthy growth and bring abundant crop.
●”勝利祈願(Shori Kigan)” Victory
This lucky charm will lead you to win with the support to eliminate your anxiety and obstacles that you cannot overcome with your effort alone.
●”大漁(Tairyo)” A Big Catch
This lucky charm will help to bring a good landing of fish.
●”長寿祈願(Choju Kigan)” Longevity
With this lucky charm, you will enjoy a long life.
●“水難除守(Suinanyoke mamori) ” Ward off Water Accidents
This lucky charm will protect you from any water accidents. It is popular for water-related business people, such as fishermen or coast-guards.
