正月に門戸に飾るもので、魔よけの意味があります。しめ縄は神を迎える清浄な場所を示すために張るものですが、そのしめ縄をもとに 橙 やシダ、伊勢エビなどの縁起物を付けて作った飾りがしめ飾りです。橙は子孫の繁栄を意味するなど、縁起物はそれぞれ意味を持っています。正月が終わると門松などと一緒に神社へ持って行き、焼いてもらいます。

Shimekazari is displayed in the New Year at entrance, and Japanese believe that it effects charm against devil and the God comes to an entrance, so they welcome. Shimenawa is a sacred straw festoon, and it's shimekazari added orange, fern and lobster bringing omen based on shimenawa. In Japanese creed, fern bring a lot of children, or orange and lobster have the meaning as a fortunate. People bring it to a shrine after the New Year week with Kadomatsu as well, and burn it.