The Meaning of African Tattoos
When exploring the meaning behind African tattoos, we must first explore the connection that ancient people held with this ritual practice. Throughout Northern Africa many ancient people embraced tattooing as a means of identification, self-expression, and spiritual protection.
Popular African Tattoo Designs
Many looking to get an Afrocentric tattoo are drawn to the ancient symbols of the Adinkra. Originating in West Africa, the Adinkra symbols were used to represent important proverbs, historical events, and spiritual qualities.
What is the Oshun Goddess?
Public Domain. In many Yoruba myths and stories, Oshun is described as the savior, protector, mother and nurturer of sweet things and humanity, and the keeper of spiritual balance.
What does Oshun represent?
As the Orisha or goddess of love, she represents beauty, marriage, harmony, ecstasy, romance, and pregnancy. Appearance: Oshun is often portrayed as a beautiful young woman that is playful, charming, and coquettish.
What is the role of Oshun in the Yoruba mythology?
In one of the myths, Oshun has a key role in the creation of life on Earth and humanity. Olodumare, the Yoruba supreme god, sent seventeen Orishas down to Earth to try and populate it. They were all male deities except Oshun and failed to complete the task. They needed the female deity to help them revive the Earth. She agreed to assist them, and by delivering her powerful, sweet, and fertile waters, she brought life back to our planet, including human beings and other species. Therefore, she’s considered the goddess of fertility and life, and without her actions, life on Earth wouldn’t exist.
What is the meaning of Oshun?
Myths About the Oshun Goddess. Significance of the Yoruba Water Goddess. Oshun’s Portrayal and Symbolism. To Wrap It Up. Oshun, also known as Oxum and Ochún, is a supreme being or Orisha of the Yoruba people – the largest ethnic group of southwestern Nigeria. In the Yoruba religion, she’s also called the river goddess and is commonly associated ...
Why do Yoruba people celebrate Oshun?
Each year, the Oshun followers come to the river to pay tribute to the goddess, offer sacrifice, and pray for better health, children, and wealth.
What did the goddess of Osogbo do?
The legend says that the goddess granted permission to the people of Osogbo to build the city at the Osun River. She also promised to protect them and provide for them if they respected and worshiped her devotedly by praying, making offerings, and performing different rituals in her honor.
Why is the Yoruba goddess important?
Due to the global slave trade, the Yoruba religion and culture dispersed and greatly impacted other cultures outside Africa.
What is Oshun's art style?
In art, Oshun is depicted like many of her counterparts from other cultures. Oshun is commonly shown as a beautiful, charming, sensual, and coquettish young woman. In addition to her natural beauty, Oshun is also adorned with such ornaments as gold jewelry, brass bracelets, beads, mirrors and elaborate fans .
Where is Oshun today?
Today, Oshun is still honored in Nigeria in the annual ceremony called Ibo-Osun, as well as the 12 day Osun-Osogbo festival in August.
What is the role of Oshun?
One of the most important roles that Oshun plays is that of the goddess of the sweet waters and the protective deity of the River Oshun in Nigeria. Alongside this river is a sacred grove, probably the last in Yoruba Culture , dedicated to Oshun. The Celtic Goddess Epona that Rode Swiftly Across the Ancient Roman Empire.
Why did Oshun advise the settlers to move to the upper part of the river?
They were successful in their undertaking and Oshun advised the settlers to move to the upper part of the river, for humans and spirits could not live together. The villagers complied with Oshun’s command and the former settlement became the Osun-Osongbo Sacred Grove.
How many gods are there in Yoruba?
Practitioners of traditional Yoruba religion believe in a pantheon of 401 gods (known as Orisha) who govern various aspects of the world and human life. Although Oshun (also spelt Osun) is regarded principally as a goddess of love, there are other aspects to this Orisha as well. One of the most important roles that Oshun plays is that ...
What is the name of the goddess of love?
Oshun: African Goddess of Love and Sweet Waters. Across many ancient civilizations throughout the world, love was placed under the domain of a certain deity, usually, but not in all cases, a goddess. In the Classical world, for instance, there were Venus and Aphrodite, love goddesses of the Roman and Greek pantheons respectively.
What is the Celtic goddess that rode swiftly across the Roman Empire?
The Celtic Goddess Epona that Rode Swiftly Across the Ancient Roman Empire. A Cycle of Life and Death: Slavic Goddesses Morana and Vesna. Navigating the Realm of an Aztec Water Goddess and One of the Five Suns. Osun river at the Sacred Grove Of Oshun. (Yeniajayiii/ CC BY SA 4.0 )
What is the meaning of Oshun?
Oshun is associated with Our Lady of Charity, an aspect of the Virgin Mary focused on hope and survival, particularly in relation to the sea. Our Lady of Charity is also the patron saint of Cuba, where Santeria originates.
Who is Yemaya Oshun's sister?
Yemaya is maternal, dignified and nurturing, the spiritual mother of all. She is also an orisha of mystery, reflected in the depths of her waters. She is also often understood to be the older sister of Oshun, who oversees the rivers. She is also associated with tuberculosis and intestinal disorders. Cite this Article.
Why did Oshun turn into a peacock?
To save the parched world Oshun transformed into a peacock and ascended to Olodumare's realm to beg his forgiveness. Olodumare relented and returned the water to the world, and the peacock transformed into a vulture.
What are the orishas?
Updated January 23, 2018. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. The number of orishas varies among believers. In the original African belief system from which Santeria originates, there are hundreds of orishas.
Who is Osain in the Bible?
Osain is a nature orisha, ruling over forests and other wild areas as well as herbalism and healing. He is the patron of hunters even though Osain himself has given up the hunt. He also looks out for the home. Contrary to many mythologies showing nature gods and wild and untamed, Osain is a distinctly rational figure.
Where is the Cabildo shrine?
Gods of Santeria. The Cabildo (shrine) pictured is one of the oldest in Cuba, located in Palmira, which is widely regarded as the birthplace of Santeria. Corbis via Getty Images / Getty Images. Alternative Religions.
Who is the goddess of transitions and change?
Oya rules the dead and is involved with the ancestors, cemeteries, and the wind. She is a rather tempestuous, commanding orisha, responsible for windstorms and electrocution. She is a goddess of transitions and change. Some say she is the ultimate ruler of fire but allows Chango to use it.