四手 · しで · objects

shide

Paper streamers attached to offerings and ritual implements.

Definition

Shide are paper streamers, often made from white paper, used in Shinto rituals to purify offerings and symbolize the presence of kami. These strips are commonly found on gohei or tamagushi and serve to enhance the aesthetic and spiritual appeal of offerings. Shide embodies the concept of purity and the spiritual significance of the rituals, reminding practitioners of the invisible connection between the earthly and divine realms.

Etymology

The word 'shide' derives from the ancient practices of purification and the use of strips in ceremonial acts.