Meoto Iwa, Ise-Shima National Park

Meoto Iwa, or the Married Couple Rocks, are two rocky stacks in the sea off Ise, Mie, Japan. They are joined by a shimenawa and are considered sacred by worshippers at the neighboring Futami Okitama Shrine. According to Shinto, the rocks represent the union of the creator kami, Izanagi and Izanami. The rocks, therefore, celebrate the union in marriage of man and woman. The shimenawa, composed of five separate strands which each weigh 40 kilograms, must be replaced several times a year in a special ceremony. The larger rock, said to be male, has a small torii at its peak. ()