Shinto

A religion native to Japan, characterized by veneration of nature spirits and ancestors and by a lack of formal dogma. Shinto is actually from the Chinese word for Japanese religion, shen-dao, the Way of the Higher Gods. The Japanese term for traditional religion is kami-no-michi, the Way of the Kami. Kami are spirits, gods, sacred powers and so on. It is very animistic. All things derive from the power of the kami. Once, Japan was only inhabited by kami. As all things derive from the kami, so do human beings derive from the kami and may become kami upon death. This belief forms the traditional history of the origins of Japan and its people. In the beginning the kami were generated on the Plain of High Heaven. The most important were Izanagi and Izanami. Their creative power brought about the land of Japan and the people. Izanagi and Izanami descended to the Floating Bridge of Heaven and stirred the salt water to create an island to which they descended to give birth to the kami of the world. The universe is interpreted in terms of the power of the kami. The myths discuss 800 myriads of kami on the Plain of High Heaven, much less the kami of Earth, the Central Land of Reed Plains. The myths set the pattern for Japanese concerns for purity, the veneration of the sun kami, the festivals and rituals, and the traditions that provide the distinctive Japanese identity.

Izanami died after giving birth to Kaga-Tsuchi, the kami of fire and went to Yomi, the underworld. Izanagi tried to break in and bring her back. He was horrified at her appearance in death and repelled. Even more, she was angry that he had broken in to see her polluted by death and she pursued him to destroy him. Izanagi escaped and blocked the hole to the Underworld with a huge rock to prevent Izanami from being unleashed on the world. She threatened to bring death to all things. He responded that he would make sure that things were born faster than she could destroy them. He escaped but was now polluted by the experience and so washed in the ocean to purify himself and exorcise the evil. This set the pattern for purification rituals. Ritually unclean, Izanagi bathed in the ocean. When Izanagi washed his left eye, Amaterasu (the Heavenly Illuminating Kami, or Sun Kami) was born. In washing his right eye, Tsukiyomi (the Moon Kami) was born and in washing his nose Susanoo (Valiant Raging Male Kami, or Storm Kami) was born. Izanagi was pleased by these kami of sun, moon and storm. He placed Amaterasu to rule the Plain of High Heaven and gave her his sacred necklace. So she came to rule all the kami. Tsukiyomi was to rule the night and Susanoo the sea. Purification inside and out becomes important in Shinto and the model is Izanagi’s bath. Pollution comes from the darkness and the kami help take it back to the darkness.

by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫ July 15, 2010

Mount Saint Mary

An all girls catholic school in Watchung, Nj. Full of hot girls who are actually smart. They can choose whichever guy they want because they go to mount, but they are very selective and only choose the finest delbarton and seton hall prep guys. Every guy from saint joes wants them but they are too good and holy. Way way way better than Oak Knoll.

Tom: Yo congrats on your new girlfriend she’s hot. Where does she go to school?
Ryan:S-
Tom: Naw dude I already know she goes to Mount Saint Mary, she’s too hot to go to Oak Knoll

by wiitennis January 4, 2019

Saint Paddy's Day

English term for St Patrick's Day, as an Irish person would never say this.

Trump, Saint Paddy's Day isn't spelt with a double "t" you Muppet. And take that stupid cap off. You look like an eejit.

by PokeyD March 10, 2017

Saint-Petersburg

The second largest city in Russia. The most populated city in the world situated so far north. Also the one with the world's deepest underground. Founded 1703, became a capital 1712. Located on the shores of Baltiysky's Bay.
Has some beautiful architecture in the old city center. People there considered to be rather cultured in part due to the fact that there are many museums, theaters, opera houses, libraries, universities located in the city. But also known for its street culture. (check out the band Leningrad, which got its name from the city - during the Soviet times it carried the name of Lenin - was called Leningrad ('the city of Lenin').

Let's visit Saint-Petersburg in the summer so we can walk at night and not get mugged as it's light!

by azul00 July 25, 2011

shinto

A form of Animism in Japan. (but with a worship of all natural things assuming they have souls and praying to them.)

Being shinto doesn't mean only loving nature, but includes the belief that natural things have soul.

by Tsukasa431 May 24, 2004

Shanta

A girl who is very beautiful with a gorgeous smile that can make anyone's day. She is a {trustworthy and have a good sense of humor.But she also have a depressed side that no one knows about because she rather make other people happy than herself. She is very caring and loving and can be pretty awkward sometimes but her contagious personality is what attract people to her.

You need to be more like a Shanta.
I love you're personality it reminds me of Shanta.

by Kitties&watermelon June 8, 2017

Saint Tiffany

Saint Tiffany was canonized around the same time as the Olga of Kiev and Saint Jerry The Goatfucker.

Saint tiffany went around pushing in the soft spots of babies.

by TaurusTongIsSaintTiffany March 2, 2021