絵馬 · えま · objects

ema

Votive plaques where worshippers write their wishes.

Definition

Ema are wooden votive plaques that worshippers write their wishes or prayers upon, which are then hung at shrines. These plaques often feature images of animals or deities, depending on the shrine's focus. Ema serve as a tangible expression of devotion and a means to communicate desires, reflecting the deep-seated practice of seeking divine intervention in one's personal and communal life within Shinto culture.

Etymology

The term 'ema' literally means 'picture horse,' deriving from the tradition of offering actual horses to shrines in ancient times.