Tied Fortunes: Leaving Burdens at the Shrine

The White Knots of Prayer

In the foreground, a tree appears to be blooming with white flowers, but closer inspection reveals they are Omikuji—paper fortune slips found at Japanese Shinto shrines. Tradition dictates that if you draw a fortune predicting difficulties, you tie it to a pine tree or a designated rack to leave the bad luck behind.

Contrast of Colors

The vibrant vermilion and emerald green of the traditional temple architecture stand in beautiful contrast to the stark white of the paper knots. It creates a visual harmony that feels both energetic and peaceful.

A Collective Hope

Each knot represents a person’s hope for the future and a release of their worries. Standing before this scene, you are looking at thousands of silent prayers, all tied together in a shared ritual of renewal.