![]() The Imperial family has long served as the legitimizing power of any Japanese political entity, and they have always used this position to ensure that Amaterasu’s place as Queen of Heaven and her control of its courts are reflected in their rule. ![]() Through Amaterasu’s illumination, she represents not just order, but the justice that maintains it as well. In pre-modern Japan this was one of the many justifications for the society’s caste system. ![]() The Japanese Imperial family, which claims descent from Amaterasu, sit at the head of Japanese society, and from the Imperial family a natural hierarchy exists. This order is reflected in Japanese society as well. All things in creation are ordered, from Amaterasu down to the denizens of Jigoku and other hells. The sun represents order and purity, two of Shinto’s most important concepts. In this position, she not only serves as the literal rising sun that illuminates all things, but also provides nourishment to all living creatures and marks the orderly movement of day into night. Goddess of the Rising SunĪmaterasu’s primary role is that of the sun goddess. Though she did not create the universe, she is the goddess of creation, a role she inherited from her father, Izanagi, who now defends the world from the land of the dead. This longer version means “the great and glorious kami who illuminates from Heaven.” The most prominent of her titles is Ōhirume-no-muchi-no-kami (大日孁貴神), meaning “the great sun of the kami.” AttributesĪmaterasu is the Queen of Heaven, the kami, and creation itself. Amaterasu can be translated as “Shines from Heaven,” with 天 meaning “heaven” (or Imperial) and 照 meaning “shines.” Amaterasu is shorthand for Amaterasu-ōmikami, which can be represented in Kanji as 天照大神, 天照大御神, and 天照皇大神.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |