The word for monkey in Japanese is 'saru' (猿), which happens to be a homonym for 'saru' (去る), meaning 'expel' 'drive away' or 'send off'. Monkeys were thus seen as protective creatures, driving away evil and misfortune.
The 3 Wise Monkeys (三猿) are symbols of the Kōshin faith🙈🙉🙊 'See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil': Mizaru (見ざる), Kikazaru (聞かざる) and Iwazaru (言わざる).
But why all the simians? Simply put, monkeys are considered to be protection against evil. #Japan#Kyoto#三猿
The 3 Wise Monkeys (三猿) are symbols of the Kōshin faith🙈🙉🙊 'See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil': Mizaru (見ざる), Kikazaru (聞かざる) and Iwazaru (言わざる).
But why all the simians? Simply put, monkeys are considered to be protection against evil. #Japan#Kyoto#三猿