“Morijio”- Good Luck Charm | Guidable - Your Guide to a Sustainable, Wellbeing-centred Life in Japan

“Morijio”- Good Luck Charm

By Yae Mar 22, 2018

Have you ever visited your Japanese friends’ house for a home party or to have a chat over coffee?
It’s always a great opportunity to spend time with your friends at home rather than meeting outside.

When you entered your Japanese friends’ house, have you ever noticed the pile of something white (shaped like an octagonal pyramid) just by the front door on the both sides?

Some of you may feel it’s definitely not a house decoration and might have a deeper meaning. This article will tell you why Japanese people have these piles near the door and what for. It’s time to learn something new about Japan!

1. ” Morijio” Drives Off Bad Luck or an Evil

 

Did you know that salt has the power of cleaning and survival ability? Some Japanese people put a pile of salt called “Morijio” by the front door believing that good luck can be brought to them.

Morijio can bring good luck for business prosperity or drive off bad luck or evil. People say that God loves salt, and this helps people to “clean their soul”. If people put a pile of salt near their door, it invites people with good fortune.

All visitors must first go through the front door to enter the house. It is said that if there is a pile of salt, only those who make you happy are allowed to enter.

Imagine if you’re having a home party at your own place and you invited many people including strangers.
You don’t want any troubles at your home and want to spend a wonderful time with all the people, right? Morijio can help in this kind of situation as well.

2. Are there any Rules about Plates (for Piling the Salt)?

Generally, we use ceramic rounded plates rather than those made of plastic or glass. It is common that Japanese people use white color, round, small, ceramic plates, but some people use different color plates for good luck or fortune.

Check out the plate color meanings:

Red ceramic plates: Improving luck of business
Gold ceramic plates: Gift
Pink ceramic plates: Lucky in love
Green ceramic plates: Stable mental condition
Yellow ceramic plates: Economic fortune

Small, white plates are used in general, but it could also be an idea to use a specific color if you have a special desire for good luck fortune.

3. What Kind of Salt is Adequate for Good Fortune?

To get into the specifics, it’s better to choose pure salt (nothing added) rather than cooking salt or mixed salts. If it’s not pure salt but salt with mixed with other ingredients, the power of purification would be weak.

If you are wondering where to buy or obtain the pure salt, we recommend you to go to your local shrine. You can be 100% sure it is purified salt. It’s usually available for a reasonable price around 50¥ -100¥.

4. When is the Best Timing to Change Salt?

The purification ritual is not “Over” yet if you just put the pile of salt by the front door, instead you should constantly change the salt. People say it’s the day of God on the 1st and 15th of every month so it’s good for people to change the salt for new salt on those dates. However, we understand people have their own schedule so if it’s difficult to change the salt either on these two dates, it’s also acceptable to change it when you notice that salt is getting a little dusty or starts to solidify.

You should take care when getting rid of old salt. It’s better to let the water carry the old salt away rather than throw into the garbage. Since old salt contains the negative vibrations, it is thought they will stay in your house if you leave the salt residue inside the house.

5. Why is Morijio Made in the Shape of an Octagonal Pyramid?

If you look carefully the Morijio at your Japanese friends’ house, most of Morijio is placed in the shape of an octagonal pyramid. Is there any specific reason for this shape? People say that it comes from the Feng Shui. Making the point sharp has a good effect on people to protect them from evil.

6. When did Japanese People Start the Habit of Morijio?

The habit of Morijio started around Nara Period or Heian Period in Japan. In this period, salt was very expensive and was worth the same as money so if Japanese put the pile of salt in front of their houses, they believed that the salt would bring good fortune to their house.

Since salt was very expensive and valuable for Japanese people, they used to place salt as a food offering to the God.

This is off topic, but Japanese people normally put salt on their clothes or head before entering the house after attending funerals. Salt helps to get rid of evil spirits which came over (accidently) to the funerals.

Now you know about Morijio.

Morijio is like good luck charm and many Japanese people desire bright future for themselves and their family.

If you believe in good luck and fortunes, why not try it at your own apartment?
Is there any specific thing you desire? You can also choose the color of plates as well.

Now you know about an amazing features salt has. You can use it not only as food but also protect your home.

YAE
Japan