The
famous Wedded Rocks reveal four major symbols of Shinto belief. First are
the rocks themselves, which like all natural objects are considered to
possess a spirit, or kami. Rocks are accorded special reverence in Japan,
and the most primitive Shinto shrines were simple groups of rocks like
this. The second symbol is the huge rope which links the two rocks and
which serves in all Shinto shrines to demarcate the sacred area. Third
is the torii, the wooden gate perched on the male rock to the left,
a symbol which we will examine more closely in a moment. Fourth, and particularly
important at Ise, is the sun rising between the two rocks.