勾玉 · まがたま · objects

magatama

A curved bead used in rituals and as offerings.

Definition

Magatama are typically curved beads made of stone, jade, or glass, significant in prehistoric and modern Japan. In Shinto practice, they represent connection to the divine, fertility, and the afterlife. Magatama are often presented as offerings at shrines and are believed to possess protective qualities, linking the living with the spirits of ancestors and deities.

Etymology

The word 'magatama' is derived from 'magu' (曲) meaning 'to bend' or 'curve', and 'tama' (玉) meaning 'jewel'.