water in japanese culture

[Aa01]

Why is water so spiritual in Japanese culture?

[jake-the-peg]

Water is involved in most religions from christian baptism to ancient cultures placing offerings to river Gods. In fact that last one's so ingrained you can hardly see a water feature in a garden centre without it being full of copper coins people have thrown in "for luck".

I guess it makes sense, water is vital for life, you'll die of thirst long before you die of hunger, without it you can't grow food - it's essential for any life.

Scientifically it's quite special too. It get's denser as it gets colder until 4 degrees C when it expands. So ice floats - if it didn't do this rivers and ponds would freeze from the bottom up and most of the life in them would die.

All in all water's pretty special!