Safe Delivery Prayer Charms: To Return or Keep - Proper Etiquette
Title: Safe Delivery Prayer Charms: To Return or Keep - Proper Etiquette
Introduction
When seeking a safe delivery prayer at a shrine or temple, you may receive a protective charm, a gesture of support and encouragement for expectant mothers. These cherished charms are a source of comfort during pregnancy, and they often raise questions about their post-pregnancy handling. In this article, we will explore whether it's necessary to return safe delivery prayer charms after childbirth and how to do so correctly.
Significance of Safe Delivery Prayer Charms
Safe delivery prayer charms are tokens of prayers made at shrines or temples to provide emotional support to expectant mothers. These charms hold special significance, especially when received from friends or family, as they symbolize the prayers of others for a safe and smooth childbirth.
Can You Have Multiple Safe Delivery Prayer Charms?
Expectant mothers may wonder if it's acceptable to possess multiple safe delivery prayer charms from different sources. Rest assured, having multiple charms is perfectly fine. Each charm carries the same meaning and power, but it's important to cherish each one individually.
Returning the Charms: Proper Etiquette
Once your baby is safely delivered, you might contemplate what to do with the charms you received. There are two main options to consider: returning them to the shrine or temple or keeping them as cherished mementos.
- The primary method of returning safe delivery prayer charms is to give them back to the shrine or temple where you received them.
- This is often done through a ceremony known as "otakiage" or burning ceremony.
- The timing for this ceremony is flexible; you can do it shortly after childbirth or when you feel your health and daily routine have stabilized.
- It's also an opportunity to visit the shrine or temple, report the birth of your child, and express gratitude for the safe delivery prayer.
- While it's customary to return the charms, it's perfectly acceptable to keep them as treasured reminders of your pregnancy.
- However, simply leaving them in a drawer or on a shelf without care can be considered disrespectful to the deities who watched over you.
- When storing the charms at home, consider placing them in a special box, a baby book, or a mother and child health record case.
- Some people choose to keep the charm alongside the preserved umbilical cord as a set.
Conclusion
Safe delivery prayer charms received during pregnancy hold special significance and should be handled with care. While returning them to the shrine or temple is a common practice, it's not obligatory. Choose the approach that aligns with your beliefs and personal circumstances, ensuring these meaningful tokens continue to hold a special place in your journey as a parent.