しめ縄なわ

• 注連飾しめかざり

  Refers specifically to the decorative New Year's shimenawa, often smaller and more ornate, while しめ縄 can be any sacred rope used year-round.

• 紙し垂で

  The zigzag paper streamers often attached to shimenawa; not the rope itself.

• しめ縄なわUsage49%

  Most common spelling; the first part is written in kana.

• 注連縄しめなわUsage33%

  Traditional kanji spelling, still seen in formal or Shinto contexts.

• 〆縄しめなわUsage9%
  search-only kanji form

  Search-only form using the 〆 symbol.

• しめなわUsage9%
• 七五三縄しめなわUsage1%
  rarely-used kanji form

  Rarely used kanji form; the characters 七五三 (7-5-3) are ateji.

• 標縄しめなわ
  rarely-used kanji form

  Rarely used kanji form.

The word is a compound of しめ (from 締める, 'to tighten' or 'to bind') and 縄 (なわ, 'rope'). The exact origin of the sacred use is uncertain, but it is deeply rooted in Shinto tradition.