|
|
|
|
Miko (巫女) are the Shinto shrine maidens of Japan beginning in the Feudal era of Japan. In ancient times, women who went into trances and conveyed the words of a god were called miko, not unlike the Oracle at Delphi of ancient Greece.
Later, miko were young female attendants at Shinto shrines. Roles of the miko include performing in ceremonial dances (miko-mai) and assisting priests in wedding ceremonies. Today miko can be found at many Shinto shrines. Their duties include assisting with shrine events, performing dances and rituals, and fortune-telling.
It is somewhat difficult to assign a strict definition or English equivalent to the Japanse word "Miko", though the terms Prophet, Medium (as in Oracle), Shrine Maiden, Priestess, or Sorceress are often used.
Supposedly miko were virgins, though it is unlikely that this was true. It is probably true that when a woman who was serving as a miko married she abandoned her duties at the temple in order to be with her husband and new family. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
IZABELLA MIKO PICTURES |
|
|
|
MOST POPULAR
Angelina Jolie
Jessica Alba
Paris Hilton
Scarlett Johansson
Jessica Simpson
Britney Spears
Christina Aguilera
Lindsay Lohan
Shakira
Beyonce
Hilary Duff
ADDITIONS
Miley Cyrus
Rihanna
Hayden Panettiere
Miranda Cosgrove
Selena Gomez
Demi Lovato
Vanessa Hudgens
Ashley Tisdale
Jonas Brothers
|
