Oshun (also spelled Ochún, Oṣun or Oxum) is the youngest of the orishas and probably the most popular in Santeria. She was the last orisha born in the world out of Olodumare’s love for creation. She is the orisha of love, beauty, femininity and sensuality which leads many people to compare her to Venus or Aphrodite.
What is the significance of Oshun in ancient China?
Oshun is said to have given the people who went to her river permission to build the city and promised to provide for them, protect them, and grant their prayers if they worshipped her dutifully, making the obligatory offerings, prayers, and other rituals.
Where did Oshun first meet human beings?
Tradition holds that the first interaction between Oshun and human beings took place in Osogbo ( Oshogbo ), Nigeria. That city is considered sacred, and it is believed to be fiercely protected by the water goddess.
Who is Oshun in Yoruba culture?
In most Yoruba stories, Oshun is generally depicted as the protector, saviour, or nurturer of humanity. Oshun has also been described as the maintainer of spiritual balance or mother of sweet things.
What is the road of Oshun?
This is Oshún is Ibú Asedán – a road of Oshun that loves to hunt. Oshun (also spelled Ochún, Oṣun or Oxum) is the youngest of the orishas and probably the most popular in Santeria. She was the last orisha born in the world out of Olodumare’s love for creation.
Who created Oshun?
Oshun was one of the 17 gods sent by Olodumare to create the world.
What does Oshun symbolize?
Oshun's Sacred Birds This is due to the story of Orishas, who rebelled against the creator god, Olodumare. In this context, Oshun and her sacred birds are seen as symbols of courage, perseverance, healing, waters, and life.
Was Oshun a real person?
She is one of the most popular and venerated Orishas. Oshun is an important river deity among the Yorùbá people. She is the goddess of divinity, femininity, fertility, beauty and love....Oshun.Ọ̀ṣun OshunEthnic groupYoruba people, Fon peoplePersonal informationSpouseChangó, Erinle6 more rows
Who is the daughter of Oshun?
Oshun is a Nigerian Yoruba Orisha, a spirit or deity that reflects one of the manifestations of God in the Ifá and Yoruba religions. She is one of the most popular Orisha's and the only female irunmole (primordial) sent to set up the world by Olodumare.
What are Oshun's powers?
When angered, Oshun may flood Earth or destroy crops by withholding her waters, thereby causing massive droughts. In one myth, Oshun is incensed by her devotees and sends down rain, nearly flooding the world. Yet once she has been appeased, Oshun saves Earth from destruction by calling back the waters.
How do you know if you are a child of Oshun?
She is one of the most popular and venerated orishas. If you see the number 5 a lot (my two most recent apartments were on the 5th floor), are attracted to the color yellow or gold and enjoy sweets, specifically honey, then you too may be a child of Oshun.
What religion is Oshun from?
Oshun (pronounced O-shan, also given as Osun) is a supernatural entity recognized as both a spirit and a goddess in the Yoruba religion of West Africa. She presides over fertility, love, and freshwater, is the patroness of the Osun River in Nigeria, and is honored annually at the Osun-Osogbo Festival.
What is Oshun's number?
associated with the number five. Oshun often carries a mirror so that she can admire her beauty. She loves honey, sunflowers, oranges, cinnamon, and pumpkin, and her favorite birds are peacocks and vultures.
Why did Osun become a river?
In Yoruba cosmology, Osun was said to have metamorphosed into a river as a result of a misunderstanding between her and “Oba”, a co-wife of Sango. The Osun River takes its source from Igede-Ekiti, flows through Ilesha to Osogbo town and empties itself in the Atlantic Ocean.
What does it mean to be daughter of Oshun?
She is considered one of the most powerful of all orishas, and, like other gods, she possesses human attributes such as vanity, jealousy, and spite.” Encyclopedia Britannica.
What food does Oshun like?
Oshun's favorite thing to eat is honey, and her contagious laugh can either put you under her spell or send shivers down your spine.” And Oshun, who is said to be jealous, can be vengeful when she is crossed: “Oshun is as sweet as honey,” Mesa writes, “but her honey can also turn sour.”
What day is Oshun day of the week?
FridayOn the 5th day of each week (Friday), OSHUN & their temple gives offerings to the orisa, Osun, on behalf of members in the community who are looking to connect with the Great Mother.
What is Oshun known for?
With the impact of the transatlantic slave trade and dispersion of Yoruba culture, Oshun is also an important figure outside Africa, where she is known by other names, such as Oxum in Brazil and Ochún in Cuba. Bayyinah S. Jeffries The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica.
What is Oshun's significance?
In most Yoruba stories, Oshun is generally depicted as the protector, saviour, or nurturer of humanity.
Why do Yoruba go to the Oshun River?
Every year Oshun devotees and other people of the Yoruba religious tradition go to the Oshun River to pay homage, make sacrifice, and ask for a variety of things such as wealth, children, and better health. Although other orishas are honoured during the festival, the climax of the festival is centred on Oshun.
Why is Oshun the favorite of all Orishas?
She is commonly described as the favourite of all orishas by Olodumare, because of her beauty and sensuality. In yet another Yoruba story, Oshun is depicted as the goddess who not only gives life but also takes it.
How does Oshun save the Earth?
Yet once she has been appeased, Oshun saves Earth from destruction by calling back the waters. Tradition holds that the first interaction between Oshun and human beings took place in Osogbo ( Oshogbo ), Nigeria. That city is considered sacred, and it is believed to be fiercely protected by the water goddess.
Why is Oshun important?
Oshun is especially important to women in West African cultures. Those who want children and who may suffer from infertility usually call on Oshun for assistance, and she is associated with the concepts of femininity and the power of women. More widely, she is sought after in times of drought or severe poverty.
What is the meaning of Osun?
See Article History. Alternative Title: Osun. Oshun, also spelled Osun, an orisha (deity) of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. Oshun is commonly called the river orisha, or goddess, in the Yoruba religion and is typically associated with water, purity, fertility, love, and sensuality. She is considered one of the most powerful ...
The Orisha Oshún, his family and his sons
The Goddess of Love and Rivers is the daughter of obbatala and sister of Yemayá and Hey, the protector of the cemetery.
Patakosh ione, savior of men and humanity
The pataki tells that when the God Olofin He created the world, the heavens and the earth communicated through the Ceiba, a sacred tree that shelters spirits.
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 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 the sacred grove in Nigeria?
The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is a dense forest on the outskirts of Osogbo town, western Nigeria. In the past, sacred groves were commonly found in areas where the Yoruba lived, and every town would have had one.
How many shrines are there in the Osun-Osongbo grove?
Over time, these sacred groves were either abandoned or shrank in size, apart from the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove. This sacred grove contains 40 shrines, 2 palaces, as well as many sculptures and works of art. Due to its unique status, the Osun-Osongbo Sacred Grove was inscribed in UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2005.
Where is the shrine of Oshun?
Shrine to Oshun in the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove. Abèbè, the ritual fan of Ọṣun. Ọṣun, is an Orisha, a spirit, a deity, or a goddess that reflects one of the manifestations of the Yorùbá Supreme Being in the Ifá oral tradition and Yoruba -based religions of West Africa. She is one of the most popular and venerated Orishas.
Where is Osun celebrated?
Osun is honored at the Osun-Osogbo Festival, a two-week-long annual festival that usually takes place in August, at the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove on the banks of the river. Osun is one of the 401 Yoruba gods.
What is the plant that grows with Osun?
Plants associated with Osun in Brazil are aromatic, sweet, and often yellow, reflecting the qualities of the Orisha. They include mints ( Lamiacaea ). Osun is associated with the folha-de-dez-réis ( Hydrocotyle cybelleta ), a plant of the pennywort family.
What is the Brazilian orisha?
Brazil. Ọṣun is a female orishá adopted and worshiped in all Afro-Brazilian religions. She is the orishá of the fresh water of rivers and waterfalls; of wealth and prosperity; of love; and of beauty.
What is the Osun state?
For the state in Nigeria, see Osun State. Ọṣun, is an Orisha, a spirit, a deity, or a goddess that reflects one of the manifestations of the Yorùbá Supreme Being in the Ifá oral tradition and Yoruba -based religions of West Africa. She is one of the most popular and venerated Orishas.
What is the iron chalice of Osun?
Iron chalice of Osun, one of Los Guerreros (the warriors) --) in Santería religion. Ozun is another major Orisha that is distinct from Osun, the latter whom is also called "Oshun" and "Ochún" in the Santería religion of the Caribbean ( Cuba, Puerto Rico and Trinidad) brought over by Yoruba slaves during the transatlantic slave trade.
What is the significance of the Queen of Osun?
She is connected to destiny and divination. During the life of the mortal Osun, she served as queen consort to King Shango of Oyo. Following her posthumous deification, she was admitted to the Yoruba pantheon as an aspect of a primordial divinity of the same name.
What happened to Oshun?
Oshún also lost everything in love: Everyone fell in love with Oshún and many were not reciprocated with their love, so she is threatened and leaves the palace, abandoning all her wealth. In total poverty, she is even forced to sell her body in order to survive.
Who did Oshun love?
Oshún lived in love with Shango But he spent his time at parties and sharing his time with his other women, he did not take care of her at all as he should and he saw little of him. The orisha Oshún was completely neglected and at that time she meets with Oduduwá and betrays Shango .
What does Yemaya do to Oshun?
One day Oshún lamented so much difficulty and Yemayá decides to forget his grudges and goes to his aid. She forgives her sister and gives her the river and the power of its sweet waters so that she can reign in it, she gives her jewels and riches, she also gives her hair and she is made queen.
What is the meaning of Inle in Oshun?
The legends narrate that Inle was his first love, but she lets him down with a lie and one day that relationship breaks down. Inle or Erinlé is a beautiful Orisha representing fishing and floriculture. It is said that when Oshún saw Inle he fell madly in love with him.
What does Oya ask for in her kidnapping?
One day Oyá runs away from home and wanders a lot and they kidnap her. In her kidnapping they ask for a lot of money, money that Oshún did not have to offer. Then he proposes to the boss that he can give him his most precious tribute, which was his virginity, and gives himself to him to get his sister back.
What is the day Oshun sacrifices himself for humanity?
The day Oshún sacrifices himself for humanity: There comes a day when life on earth had to be saved and nobody could do anything and that is how Oshún becomes a vulture and arrives in front of the creator Olofin to ask him to save humanity.
What happened when Oshun saw Inle?
It is said that when Oshún saw Inle he fell madly in love with him. But Inle only had eyes for the forest nymphs, so Oshún disguises herself as one of them to captivate her love. She seduces Inle and lives with him but one day Inle discovers her and abandons her.
Where in the Bible is Oshun mentioned?
In the Old Testament Book of Proverbs Chapter 3 Verse 13 to 18, this beautiful praise of Oshun is embedded in the Bible under her Holy name Wisdom, or Sophia (the Greek goddess name used in the original Septuagint Greek New Testament Bible), which is of the same roots and essence as the Yoruba Ifa. It goes as follows:
Who is Oshun's father?
It is said that Oshun’s father Obatala the first of the among the Gods (similar to the Amen of New Testament Book of Revelations Chapter 1 verse 18. He bequeathed unto Her the secret of divination and mysticsm just live Kemitic Father Ra (s) bequeathed unto daughter Isis the secret of divination and mysticm.
Why is Osun named after Oya?
In fact a certain confluence of two rivers at a rapid in one of the wetern state of Nigeria is named after Osun and Oya due to the intimidating turbulence that marks the point of intersetion.
What did Oshun teach?
Like Queen Isis of the Ancient Egyptian Kemitic Pantheon, Oshun was taught the art of divination with the cowrie shells, cards, tarots, visions, possessions, songs, chants and meditations by her father Obatala, the first of the created gods. Like Isis, She brought the teaching of divinations, mysticism, agriculture and culture to humans.
What are the offerings of Osun?
Food offerings could include sweet things such as fresh water, honey, mead, white wine, oranges, sweets, or pumpkins, as well as essential oils and incense. THE MANY DIMENSIONS AND MOODS OF OSUN. In the high Yoruba mystical teachings, Oshun has many roads, or dimensions and some of these include:
What are Oshun's offerings?
Offerings to Oshun could be in form of songs, chantings, meditating on her name, devotion to her love, and/or adherence with her compassionate laws. Her manifestations of love include being the source of all fresh waters, all warmth, all knowledge, all culture, all society, all motherhood, prosperity, fertility of the land and the water.
Who is Osun the Queen of Witches?
Osun the Queen of Witches: Oshun Ibu Ikole — Oshun the Vulture. This dimension of Oshun is (as was Isis of ancient Kemitic Egypt and the later Greek Diana) associated with Witches (Aje). Her symbols include the vulture, and the mortar and pestle (both of which are symbols of witchcraft).
What is Oshun's name?
Oshun is the orisha of sweetness, love and everything that makes life worth living. This is Oshún is Ibú Asedán – a road of Oshun that loves to hunt. Oshun (also spelled Ochún, Oṣun or Oxum) is the youngest of the orishas and probably the most popular in Santeria. She was the last orisha born in the world out of Olodumare’s love for creation.
What does Oshun represent?
Hers is the power of sweetness in life, and all of the things that make life worth living. Oshun represents all of the phases of a woman’s life and her worship was popular in Africa. Because of this she has many roads or “caminos”, each encapsulating a different aspect of her persona.
Why is Oshun the most popular orisha?
Oshún is probably the most popular orisha in Santeria because of her willingness to help those seeking love, children or money in life. Oshun is very generous to those who love and respect her.
What are Oshun's roads called?
Each road has a slightly different temperament and particularities. All roads of Oshun are called “Ibu” meaning “pool of water” or “spring. Here is but a sampling of her caminos.
What are Oshun elekes made of?
Most Oshun elekes are made with honey colored beads and/or yellow beads. This eleke for Ibú Asedán contains lots of coral as well as red and green beads. Sacred Place in Nature: the river. Colors: gold, yellow, amber, coral (some roads of Oshun do not like yellow for it reminds her of when she was poor) Tools: oars, brass bracelets, a fan, mirrors.
Where does Oshun live?
She makes her residence in the rivers of the world.
What is the best thing to make for Oshun?
Oshinshín (or Ochinchín) is a simple and effective offering to make for Oshun, and it is one of her favorites. In truth there are variations of oshinshín that can be made for other orishas too by modifying the ingredients a bit. Start with 5 hen eggs, a bundle of collard greens and a packet of dried shrimp.
Olodumare & Orishas
- The Yoruba religion developed in the region of modern-day Nigeria c. 300 BCE around the city known as Ife (also Ile-Ife) which flourished between the 11th and 15th centuries CE. Ife was considered the place of divine creation where Orisha-Obatala separated the waters from land an…
Oshun as Creator & Destroyer
- The one Orisha who is never mentioned among these plots is Oshun. She is the youngest of the Orishas and is either the daughter of Yemaya or her younger sister according to different versions of her story. At the beginning of creation, after Obatala was done with the initial work, Olodumare sent 17 Orishas to earth to set things in order and bring Obatala’s (or Oduduwa’s) work to compl…
Characteristics, Marriage, & Associations
- Aside from her periodic outbursts, Oshun is depicted as kind, benevolent, and merciful. One story relates how a people who settled by the Osun River near the city of Osogbo disrespected her simple requests and were washed away but another, who came later, respected and honored her. In return, Oshun promised them her protection, guidance, and providence, allowing Osogbo to flo…
Conclusion
- Many women in the present day adopt Oshun as their personal deity, just as women have for centuries. Drawing on the ancient stories about her, devotees note her relevance in an age where people, like the 16 arrogant Orishas, increasingly ignore the values she stands for and insist on doing things their own way at a cost to the earth and each other. Those who seek empowermen…