Saturday, January 5, 2013

Travel Photo of the Week: New Year Ritual in Okinawa


Okinawan Priestesses Known as Noro

 

This photo was taken December 30, 2012 at Takushi in Okinawa, Japan.

The Noro, are the women in white robes, making offerings.

After they pray, water is drawn from Hiijaa, a well to their right.


In a ritual which dates back to the days when Okinawa was the Ryukyu Kingdom,

water from this site, is mixed with water drawn from a well in Hedo, northern Okinawa.

The blessed mixture of water is presented to the royalty of the castle.

It signifies a desire for peace, prosperity and health within the kingdom.

The ceremony is timed to take place around the beginning of  the New Year.





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