In Shinto practice, an omamori is a protective amulet commonly bought at a shrine and carried by a person.
Omamori are small pouches or charms sold at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in Japan. They are associated with particular forms of protection or benefit, such as safe travel, success in examinations, good health, prosperous business, or protection from accidents. Many are designed to be attached to a bag, phone, vehicle, or clothing.
The word omamori comes from mamoru, meaning “to protect.” The charm generally contains a sacred inscription or object, but people are traditionally discouraged from opening it to inspect the contents. Different institutions create their own designs and blessings.
Omamori should not be confused with ema, which are larger wooden plaques left at a shrine, or ofuda, which are usually placed in a household shrine. Their portability is the defining practical feature of omamori.