Yemaya, also known as Yemoja, Yemanja, Yemalla and others, was the river or sea orisha of the Yoruba people, one of the largest ethnic groups of southwestern Nigeria. In Yoruba religion, she was considered as the mother of all living things and was among the most powerful and loved deities of all, and was also known as the Queen of the Sea.
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Who is orisha Yemaya?
Yemaya generously bestows abundance, wealth, healing, love, and fertility, but she is also the essence of tidal waves and rip currents. Yemaya, a profoundly powerful orisha, may be petitioned for:
Who is Yemaya ogunté?
Yemaya Ogunté is Warrior Yemaya: the courageous, fearless warrior who fights alongside Ogun. She lives on rocky, treacherous coastlines and wears a crown of seven machetes. Yemaya Okoto, the Pirate Queen, causes shipwrecks and drags ships and treasure down to the ocean floor.
Who is Yemaya ashagba?
Yemaya Ashagba, “The Chain,” is Olokun’s first child and may be the oldest, most primordial aspect of Yemaya. (See Yembo below.) Queen of the Anchor, Yemaya Ashagba connects the bottom of the sea with the top.
What is the significance of Yemaya in Hinduism?
• Yemaya’s children are innumerable: she is the mother of most of the orishas. • Her generosity and benevolence have also garnered her countless human devotees, equivalent to the innumerable fish of the sea. Yemaya has profound associations with the sea and saltwater.
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What is Yemaya the orisha of?
Yemayá is the Yoruba orisha of motherhood and the sea. She is often represented as a mermaid, but is not just a mermaid. She is the great mother of us all and represents Mother Earth, the life giver. As the patron of women, she is associated with the moon which has a powerful influence on women.
Who is Yemaya in Yoruba?
Often depicted as a queenly mermaid, Yemaya is considered the Ocean Mother Goddess in Santería, an Afro-Caribbean religion practiced around the world. With anchored roots in the Yoruba religion, Yemaya was brought over to the New World by enslaved Africans as early as the 16th century.
What is Yemaya known for?
She is the orisha of fertility as well as of bodies of water and has under her protection dockworkers, boatwrights, fishers, sailors, swimmers, and others who work, live, or travel around water. Yemonja is the patron of the Gelede Society (“Society of Mothers”).
Is Yemaya a mother?
Yemanjá is often depicted as a mermaid, and is associated with the moon (in some Diaspora communities), water, and feminine mysteries. She is the protector of women....YemọjaOther namesYemaya, Iemanja, Mother of Water, Mother of all Orishas, Patroness and Protector of Children and Fishermen10 more rows
Who was Yemaya husband?
She was married to Aganju and had one son, Orungan, and fifteen Orishas came forth from her. They include Ogun, Olokun, Shopona and Shango. Other stories would say that Yemaya was always there in the beginning and all life came from her, including all of the orishas.
Who is the most powerful orisha?
ṢàngóṢàngó is viewed as the most powerful and feared of the orisha pantheon. He casts a "thunderstone" to earth, which creates thunder and lightning, to anyone who offends him. Worshippers in Yorubaland in Nigeria do not eat cowpea because they believe that the wrath of the god of iron would descend on them.
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 orisha day is Wednesday?
Calendar terminologiesỌSẸ̀ in Yoruba calendarDay in Gregorian calendarỌjọ́-Ìṣégun (Day of Victory)TuesdayỌjọ́rú (Day of Confusion & Disruption)WednesdayỌjọ́bọ̀ (Day of Arrival)ThursdayỌjọ́-Ẹtì (Day of Postponement & Delay)Friday3 more rows
Who is Yemaya's father?
According to the patakis, Yemaya's father was Olodumare, the supreme god. Olodumare was known as the Creator of the Universe, and Yemaya was said to be his eldest child. Legend has it that Olodumare created Obatala, a demigod who had two chidren with his wife.
Who is Yemaya to Chango?
Yemaya is the only one who can keep Chango in check. He has to obey her because she is one of his two mothers. He is said to have two or three wives, his favorite being Ochun. This beautiful goddess is identifed with the Catholic La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, Cuba's patron saint.
Who is the youngest orisha?
Ayagunna is the youngest path, or avatar, of the undergod Obatala in the Lukumi (Santería) pantheon. In this manifestation, Obatala is a youth who battles with a scimitar. He is credited with having spread gunpowder throughout the world.
What is the Yoruba region?
The Yoruba region is present-day Southwestern Nigeria and the adjoining parts of Benin and Togo, commonly known as Yorubaland. The religions in the New World that were the result of the slave trade have roots in the Yoruba religions. They include a wide array of traditions still practiced today.
What is the relationship between Yemaya and Olokun?
Yemaya rules over the surface of the ocean where life is concentrated, and Olokun represents the depths of the Ocean and the unconscious. Together They form a balance.
What does the word "orisha" mean?
Sometimes spelled Orixa, Òrìṣà, or Orisa, the word orisha is related to many other Yoruba words that refer to, or imply, the head. It is commonly translated as unique, special, or selected head—as in Divinely selected to rule.The Yoruba use the word "head" as a metaphor for supremacy and rulership.
How many paths does Yemaya have?
She is associated with the moon, water, and feminine mysteries. She is prayed to in matters of fertility, pregnancy, and motherhood. There are 177 Yemaya paths or caminos (avatars or aspects). In Her path of Okutti, she is the queen of witches carrying within her deep dark secrets.
What are the names of the Orishas?
Traits. Yemayá, Yemoja. Mother goddess; patron deity of women, and the Ogun river. Ochún, Oshún. Presides over love, intimacy, beauty, wealth and diplomacy. Oyá, Yansa, Yansan. Orisha of the Niger River; associated with wind, lightning, fertility, fire, and magic.
What are the items that are used to welcome the energy of Yemaya?
Use these items with intention on your altar or in your daily rituals to welcome the energy of Yemaya: Shells, mermaid money (silver dollars), pearls, star fish, sea horses, river rocks. Sand from a favorite beach. Water from a favorite river, lake, or sea. Mermaids.
Where is Yemoja worshiped?
She is worshiped in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Tobago, Trinidad, Uruguay, and the U.S. Yemoja lives in and rules over the Seven Seas, lakes, and rivers. Often depicted as a mermaid, She is the source of all waters.
Yoruba Childbirth Goddess
Her stylish blue and crystal skirts billow in wave-like motions. One of the Orishas, she is a sensuous, slow-moving figure, just like the water she represents. Very calm and soothing for birthing situations. But she has a curious aversion to salt — so she will float over the ocean but not in it.
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How to communicate with Yemaya?
Communicate with her constantly when in the water or beside it. Remind her that you are human and must live on land.
How to pray to Yemaya?
Invoke, petition, or pray to Yemaya. • Sprinkle the water over your naked body from head to toe using your fingers or a roseMary branch. • Let the water remain on your body for a little while, and then gently pat yourself dry with a brand-new clean white towel or cloth. • Put on clean clothes.
What is Yemaya Okoto's crown?
Yemaya Okoto, the Pirate Queen, causes shipwrecks and drags ships and treasure down to the ocean floor. Her name means “the one who lives amongst the seashells.”. Her crown is a shark’s jawbone. She clenches a dagger between her teeth.
How beautiful is Yemaya?
Whether manifesting as woman or mermaid, Yemaya is always spectacularly beautiful. She can be sexually provocative with a rolling, hip-swaying walk that evokes the sea. Her traditional costume includes seven skirts. Her hair, clothes, and body may be ornamented with crystals, pearls, coral, or tiny bells.
What color is Yemaya's path?
Yemaya’s different paths are symbolized by different shades of blue (and sometimes by unique attributes). The particular hue represents each path’s specific natureand home. Thus the aspects of Yemaya who live closest to land or the water’s surface are represented by paler shades than those dwelling in the depths.
How to decorate Yemaya's shrine?
Yemaya’s shrine should evoke the sea. Decorate it with nets, seashells, sea stars, and sea horses. Add salted water to a crystal glass containing small seashells.
What does Yemaya eat?
Yemaya’s favorite food offerings include wet seedy fruits like pomegranates and watermelon plus fish, duck, and lamb dishes. She likes to snack on pork cracklings, plantain or banana chips and pound or coconut cake.
What are the paths of the Orisha Yemaya?
The paths of the Orisha Yemayá and its characteristics. The paths of each Orisha represent their facets of life, where their personality and qualities change, and they are also the different situations in which the deity can help us in the development of our existence.
What is the Yoruba Goddess' name?
She is one of the greatest deities of the Yoruba pantheon, since all things on this Earth are born from her power and life is born. Her name means IYA MO ELLA which translates as Mother of Fishes and it is said that she was born with the moon, as Obatala was born with the sun. When the ways of Yemayá are known, ...
How many paths are there in the Yoruba pantheon?
De Yemaya Mother of the World, 26 paths are known. She is one of the greatest deities of the Yoruba pantheon, since all things on this Earth are born from her power and life is born.
What is the way of Yemaya?
When the ways of Yemayá are known, it is known what tools it carries to fight each battle, as well as its elements and attributes of power. Each Yemayá has a different interpretation, of some very little is known in religion, being part of the great Yoruba secrets and mysteries.
Where does Yemaya live?
It lives in the deepest parts of the Ocean. The Yemayá that lives in the foam of the propellers of the ships. He is a poet and gets tangled up in flax and seaweed. This is the Yemayá road that the calm sea grants. It is reflected as Oduduwa female and here the true crown of Yemayá is born.
Who is the messenger of Olokun?
She is wise, willful, and even dangerous. Their moorings are never untied. It represents a woman of faith. 16. Yemayá Asesu. The messenger of Olokun. She is very powerful and she was the one who broke all ties with the earth. She is the queen of ducks, geese and swans.
The Queen Mother of the Waters, Yemayá
The name of Yemayá, Sovereign of the seas of the world, it must be pronounced by those who have it seated with great respect, touching the earth with the fingertips and kissing the trace of the dust on them.
The one who knows all the secrets of the deep, Olokun
Olokun is the owner of the depths of the sea and represents the deepest secrets of life and death, as well as the mysteries of the seabed that have not yet been seen by human eyes.
Some of the mysteries they hold Yemayá and Olokun in the Yoruba religion
Although some devotees affirm that Yemayá and Olokun could be the same deity, the truth is that the Patakíes show different cults for Yemayá and Olokun, because while Yemayá is living on the surface of the sea and in the waves, Olokun lives in the depths of ocean.
Prayers to the ocean deities
In fact, many of the prayers to Yemayá mention Olokun and vice versa, like the one shown below:
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.
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.
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 is the purpose of Orunla?
Orunla was present at the creation of humanity and the forging of souls. Thus Orunla has the knowledge of the ultimate destiny of each soul, which is an important facet of Santeria practice. Working toward one's destiny is to promote harmony.
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.
Who is Orunla associated with?
Orunla is most commonly associated with St. Francis of Assisi, although the reasons are not obvious. It may have to do with Francis's common depiction of holding rosary beads, which resembles Orunla's divination chain. St. Philip and St. Joseph are also sometimes equated with Orunla.
Does Orunla have a path?
While other orishas have different "paths," or aspects to them, Orunla has only one. He is also the only orisha to not manifest through possession in the New World (although it does sometimes happen in Africa). Instead, he is consulted through various divination methods.