Omikuji and Ema: Fortune Telling, Wishes, and the Tradition of Tying Away Bad Luck at Japanese Temples and Shrines
When visiting Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in Japan, you may notice small white pieces of paper tied to tree branches or specially designated areas, as well as wooden plaques covered with written wishes. These are Omikuji (おみくじ) and Ema (絵馬), two of the best known traditions in Japanese shrine and temple culture. Although both are associated with wishes and good fortune, they actually serve different purposes.
What Is Omikuji?
Omikuji are paper fortunes drawn at shrines and temples that contain predictions or guidance about a person’s future luck. They may include short comments on various aspects of life, such as love, health, work, education, travel, and money. The results are generally divided into different levels ranging from very good fortune to bad fortune.
For example:
The exact fortune categories may vary depending on the shrine or temple.
Why Are Bad Omikuji Tied Up?
If a visitor receives an unfavorable Omikuji, they may choose to leave the paper at the shrine or temple instead of taking it home. Traditionally, Omikuji could be tied to tree branches, but today many sacred sites provide special ropes, wires, or designated areas to prevent damage to trees.
This practice is associated with the idea of leaving bad fortune behind so that it does not follow the person. Some visitors, on the other hand, take favorable Omikuji home with them in the hope of keeping their good fortune.
What Is Ema?
Another tradition commonly seen at shrines and temples is Ema (絵馬), small wooden plaques used for writing wishes and prayers. Visitors write their wishes or prayers on the plaques and hang them in designated areas at the sacred site.
Some of the most common wishes written on Ema include:
Some shrines and temples also offer special Ema designs connected to their history or sacred figures.
Why Are They Called “Ema”?
The word “Ema” roughly means “horse picture” in Japanese. In the past, people are believed to have offered horses at sacred sites in the hope that their wishes would be granted. Over time, wooden plaques featuring images of horses began to be used instead.
Today, Ema may feature not only horses but also shrine symbols, animals, anime style illustrations, the zodiac animal of the year, and many other motifs.
What Is the Difference Between Omikuji and Ema?
Although the two traditions may seem similar, they serve different purposes. Omikuji are drawn to receive a prediction or guidance about the fortune that may await you. Ema, on the other hand, are used to write down your own wish or prayer and leave it at a sacred site.
In short, Omikuji tells you something, while Ema allows you to express a wish.
A Small but Meaningful Part of Japanese Shrine and Temple Culture
Seeing hundreds of Ema plaques hanging side by side or Omikuji papers moving in the wind can be a striking sight during a trip to Japan. However, these are not merely tourist objects. Behind each one is someone’s wish, hope, or expectation for the future.
For this reason, drawing an Omikuji or writing your wish on an Ema when visiting a shrine or temple in Japan can be one of the most memorable ways to experience a small part of Japanese culture rather than simply observing it.
