And also, everyone who visited Obatala should pay tributes to Eshu when leaving. Orisha Ogun is the blacksmith, the one who creates weapons for the other Orishas. Ogun, as a blacksmith and Orisha of wars, went well prepared for the fight. He wears light-green and light-blue clothes and he also has the seven colors of the rainbow around him. He stayed at Obatalas for 16 years! 11. Nut, in Egyptian religion she is a Goddess of the sky, frequently portrayed alongside the African God of the earth, Geb. To start, Yoruba is a name that encompasses a group of people who live in the region of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo in West Africa. streams and rivers, embodying love, fertility. Ill briefly write about the creation of the world according to the Yoruba so we can be more prepared to get to know the 12 main Orishas. They may not participate in all the customs, but they do know and praise these Gods too. Now, Oshun became the first woman able to play the Bzios and to obtain the power of divination! Be sure to check my YouTube Channel and follow me on Twitter too! In Ancient Rome, Anubis was combined with Hermes (since both play a part in . The party was over. He wore metal armor and he had weapons in his hands. Obatal as it contains all the colors of the rainbow yet is He lived inside a forest and he would have sexual relations with any woman who entered the woods. Then, he placed the five-fingered hen and the pigeon in this space covered by earth. Definition and Examples, Haile Selassie Biography: Ethiopian Emperor and Rastafari Messiah, M.A., History, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Both are fighters who protect their followers. He is envisioned as an extremely wealthy deity, dressed in refined garments, adorned with coral beads and plumage from a hunted game. It is said he punishes all those who lie and deceive others. After some time, the land was firm enough for the Orishas to walk on it. As an Amazon affiliate, links may contain an affiliate code. She is also known for the colors of maroon, flowery patterns and nine Olorun had two sons, Obatala and Oduduwa, who helped him develop the features of the Earth. The two animals started to spread the earth, covering a large area. He got a gourd and opened it, spreading a mysterious white smoke over Obatala. During the meeting, Esu took the chance to cause some mischief and told Oshumare that Nan was really guilty for his shapeshifting curse and convinced him to take revenge on her by stealing her crown and becoming the king of the Jeje people. In her earliest forms, the cat goddess Bastet was represented as a woman with the head of a lion or a wild cat. After passing on his secrets and guiding humanity for many years, Ogun grew old. Though he traded the Eshu was not willing to give them back, but the beauty of Oshun was capable of driving any man or woman crazy. Seven days after, Shangos wife Oya (Ians) traveled to Eshus house to get the medicine. He can see into the distant past and the far-flung future, granting him with a profound wisdom. The Orisha are spirits/deities that reflect one aspect of god. But they cant figure out what animal hes supposed to be. The stone was actually a thunderstone known as edum ar. He is revered by all the hunting communities and is often employed by the Orishas as a scout, helping them to locate lost items. (Amonet, Amentet, Amentit, Imentet, Imentit, and Ament) Anuket - A water Goddess whose name means "embracer." Her waters lapped the sacred island, Seheil. Osiris was also identified with Soker, an ancient Memphite god of the dead. They were here long before we came. Obatal is the kindly father of all the orishas and all Oshosi is also a hunting god, who is highly regarded for his quick wit and objectivity. the femme fatale of the orishas and once saved the world by luring Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922. Some describe the orishas as being manifestations or aspects of Olodumare. Eshu accepted the task and said he would produce a kind of medicine capable of granting Shangos wishes. she is the queen of witches carrying within her deep and dark secrets. makes short work of a tree or a fire rage through an area, one has So she challenged him by saying she wouldnt use a knife anymore and her children and followers would not use them either. You pay nothing extra for it and you help to keep the website alive! The goddess Isis was the mother of the king and was thus the mother of Horus and consort of Osiris. The rest is spent in the farm with Oko (a farming god). most often approach to aid us in money matters. Historically, If (aka Ile-Ife) showed advanced urbanism and is one of the most urbanized centers of ancient Africa. According to the form of the myth reported by the Greek author Plutarch, Osiris was slain or drowned by Seth, who tore the corpse into 14 pieces and flung them over Egypt. creator of the world and humanity. predynastic and dynastic periods in ancient Egypt. He was always alone, living alone in one specific party, all the Orishas were together. Their union gives birth to Aganju (earth, in a way we can walk upon it) and Yemaya (water). She tells her son to avoid going to the forest, but he doesnt listen to her. they rule over. If you wish to support me,please use the button below and buy me a ko-fi! According to the myth, Osiris was a king of Egypt who was murdered and dismembered by his brother Seth. An interesting piece of data that will illustrate how Orishas are present in these religions and also in others through syncretism: in Brazil, around 3.2% of the population follow the so-called other religions. This empire has mythical origins related to the last prince of the If kingdom. Fearing her sons safety, Yemaya seeks advice from a Babalawo (oracles in Yoruba culture are known as Babalawo and Iyalawo the first is for men and the latter for women) and he tells her to stop Ochossi from entering the depths of the forest because Ossain, the Orisha who ruled over the forests, could trap him inside. Agemo - the chameleon servant of the supreme god Olorun. uncountable. So happy that he decided to share the realm of the dead with her. In the end, all those who wish to offer something to Nana must use wooden tools. He made some oxen appear on the roofs of cattle sheds. Umbanda, Candombl, Islam, Buddhism, and others belong to this group. Ancient Code is a website founded in 2012 that covers articles and scientific discoveries that help understand humanitys past, present, and future. colors red and black or white and black are his and codify his Each orisha has its own distinct personality and has a wide variety of strengths, weaknesses, and interests. He is most often represented by a double headed They recognise On this page, Ill present you all you need to know about Orishas and how to understand them in and out from their original context the Yoruba Religion. It was believed that he sailed across the sky in a boat each day and then made a passage through the underworld each night, during which he would have to defeat the snake god Apopis in order to rise again. Orisha Sango wears red clothes and carries two double axes in his hands. I write this because I was already literally attacked on Twitter because of these differences. Youd be right. One powerful talisman of Polish Catholicism. Explore the Osiris shaft, a symbolic tomb of the god Osiris. She was the one who gave mud to Obatala when he was creating humans. Oshosi is the third member of the group known as the Guerreros or The number of orishas varies among believers. Creation". All the others laughed at him. they are about to do. He takes an active role in the affairs of both heaven and earth. And then Ill follow with the female ones, the Orisha Goddesses. Id like to remind you that there are more than 400 Orishas out there and different places may highlight others as the main ones. Theres a story explaining how she became so powerful and able to wield weapons and magic. From Ogun, she learned how to wield the sword; From Oxaguia, she learned how to wield the shield; From Eshu, she learned how to use the magical power of fire; From Shango, she learned the power of make justice and how to use thunderbols; From Omulu, however, she wasnt able to learn anything as she couldnt seduce him. I wont enter in details about each one of them as this is not the focus of this article. Olorun had two sons, Obatala and Oduduwa, who helped him develop the features of the Earth. Obatala became aware of the situation and decided to punish Omulu for spreading the disease among the Orishas. Omulu is considered to be ugly and Oshumare is the most beautiful being in the world. Also observe how the You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. It is said that Omulu and Osumare are brothers. He reigned for seven years, constantly waging battle against other nations, bringing prosperity to the Oyo Empire. Ogn is the god of iron, war and labor. has an extremely close relationship. 2023 All Rights Reserved. Among these religions we can highlight three, which are the biggest ones: These religions differ from each other, but their beliefs comprise the Orisha energy and presence. Thanks. Kokou is a warrior god, renowned for his violence and ferocity. It is said their scars strike fear into their enemy, who see the scars of Kokou as a sign of their potency. Sky Woman: The Overlooked Iroquois Influence on America. There is also a more removed being known as Olodumare, who created the orishas but later retreated from his creations. He stood up using his walking stick and touched each one with it. process). and female paths. different colors. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. In the Greco-Roman period she was identified with the Greek goddess Aphrodite and her cult spread as far west as Great Britain and as far east as Afghanistan. Yemay lives and rules over the seas and lakes. This is the list of orisha youll find more information below: Orisha Obatala is also known as Oshala, Orishanla, and Oshaluf. For example, theres a story in which a king sent a man to trial for making gossip and spreading misinformation inside the kingdom. Orisha View source The Orisha are a pantheon deities worshipped by the Yoruba people of West Africa. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. He inspires humans to overcome their physical and psychological barriers which impede their growth. One day he reached Obatalas house. all riches which she freely gives to her little sister Oshn. The festivals took place in the open, so public participation was permitted. He saw plants capable of healing different kinds of pain, hemorrhages, fever, and much more. In order to do so, Ossain should remove the native plants. Eshu used to roam free with no destination at all. Each African city-state had its own single, patron deity. Actually, she lives wherever earth meets water and forms mud. He didnt want to dance, mainly because he had a wooden leg and he couldnt dance like the others. There, she cried and formed the rivers that flooded the earth and created the oceans. His color is roads. She dresses herself in seven skirts of blue and white and like the seas He calmed down and Oya went back home. Shang took the form of the fourth Alafin (supreme king) of These Are The 10 Avatars Of Vishnu, One Of The Main Ancient Hindu Deities, 14 Massive Monoliths Of The Ancient World. Theres a story explaining how Ossain become knowledgeable about the power of plants and eventually became a great healer. Although Im not a practitioner of any religion, I have already worked many times with their energy and I also know people who are deeply connected to them. As the god of wisdom, Thoth was said to possess knowledge of magic and secrets unavailable to the other gods. He takes an active role in the affairs of both heaven and earth. lightning, thunder, fire, the drums and dance. Today the massive temple complex devoted to Amon-Re at Karnak is one of the most visited monuments in Egypt. Because the festivals took place in the open, public participation was permitted, and by the early 2nd millennium bce it had become fashionable to be buried along the processional road at Abydos or to erect a cenotaph there as a representative of the dead. gold and her number is five. Priests were trained to work with multiple orishas instead of being exclusively dedicated to a single one. worlds. Ill start with the male ones, the Orisha Gods as we can call them. The orishas are equated with a variety of Catholic saints. His reign ended when he inadvertently destroyed his palace with lightning. https://www.britannica.com/list/11-egyptian-gods-and-goddesses, largest and most complex pantheons of gods. Wherever he would go, his fame was already there. Amon was a god of the air, and the name probably means the Hidden One. He was usually represented as a man wearing a crown with two vertical plumes. Obatala became albine. Catholic. Sometimes these Orishas would go down from the sky using spiderwebs to play in the water. 1630 bce) the gods festivals consisted of processions and nocturnal rites and were celebrated at the temple of Abydos, where Osiris had assimilated the very ancient god of the dead, Khenty-Imentiu. Scholars have suggested that the Greek word Aiguptosthe source of the name Egyptmay have started as a corruption of Hwt-Ka-Ptah, the name of one of Ptahs shrines. where one or more of their priests will be mounted (see trance possession). A central feature of the festivals during the late period was the construction of the Osiris garden, a mold in the shape of Osiris, filled with soil. The mold was moistened with the water of the Nile and sown with grain. ALA baniase: He who gives fourth and takes This name given for his great powers. Instead, one of the roles of the priests of Santeria is to apply applicable patakis to the situation at hand. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Forever. Oya is her main name. She recognises herself in the colors yellow and humanity. The answers are given according to the way the shells fall on the surface. Now, you might say, thats ridiculous. Oya married Shango and lived with him in his palace in Oyo. The Orishas: Aganyu, Babalu-Aye, Chango, and Eleggua, The God of Wealth and Other Deities of Prosperity and Money, What Is Mysticism? Osiris played a double role: he was both a god of fertility and the embodiment of the dead and resurrected king. Hathor embodied motherhood and fertility, and it was believed that she protected women in childbirth. They recognise themselves and are recognised through their different numbers and colors which are their marks, and each has their own favorite foods and other things which they like to receive as offerings and gifts. Creation stories are found throughout the world. Greco-Roman authors connected Osiris with the god Dionysus. They rule over the forces of nature and the endeavors of humanity. Ill start with some history, so you can be situated, and then Ill enter the mysterious and magical realm of the Orishas. Some Orishas are worshiped as gods in their own right and they include top names such as Babal Ay, Elegua, Obatala, Ochosi, Ogun, Oya, Shango and Yemaya. Misc/Uncertain of locality It's just spreading historical, mythological and magical information. Obatala sentenced him to live there and not get closer to other Orishas or humans again. In the original African belief system from which Santeria originates, there are hundreds of orishas. Their union gives birth to Aganju (earth . All the touched ones became severely sick! motif found in many other mythologies such as the story of Gaia and Uranos in Greek Mythology and Nut and Geb and Egyptian Mythology. Shes usually considered Yemayas sister, but some tales also describe her as Yemayas daughter. This way, offerings to Nana go directly to her. This If kingdom is utterly important for us here. Orisa ojenia: the orisha that made and created life and existence to mankind. orisha rules their head, must go to the river and give account of what As the people began to reproduce, new lands were required for them to settle. The gods of the land keep the peace and the people in check. Orisha Yemaya, also known as Yemanja or Janaina, is one of the most popular Orisha of all. Of course, he drinks it! He recognises He is the most feared of the Orisha. He did so and the king offered him lots of riches. Now that you have a background, we can go on. Osiris, one of Egypt's most important deities, was god of the underworld. As you People asked him to calm down and forgive Oya. Egyptian God. Eshu did it. In particular, Elegba stands at the crossroads of Its said there are over 400 different Orishas out there! The other two members of the triad were Ptahs wife, the lion-headed goddess Sekhmet, and the god Nefertem, who may have been the couples son. Elegba (also referred to Eleggua or Eleggu) is the owner of the babbling brook and the flash flood reflect her changeable moods. He is often depicted as an animal or as a human with the head of an animal. Whenever people are sad, for example, he appears in the sky as a rainbow and reminds people that beauty is all around them. He tried to punish her, but she fled. He just observed how Obatala used to work, how he used to create humans from clay. Orisha Yemaya wears white and blue dresses. Oy is the ruler of the winds, the whirlwind and the gates of She can bring destruction and also prepare the soil for a new beginning. He is also the creator of rainbows and a rainbow can also be the personification of Oshumare. She is a fierce warrior who rides to war with However, many of their clients are also Catholic, and they understand that such clients better identify with these beings under the guise of the saintly counterparts. One day she simply decided she wanted to learn the art of divination using Bzios (the divination tool I mention at the beginning of this article), but this art could not be taught to her. Because the right and left eyes of Horus were associated, respectively, with the sun and the moon, the loss and restoration of Horuss left eye gave a mythical explanation for the phases of the moon. Ogn out of the forests using her feminine wiles. Crash Course is on Patreon! greatness of this king, all in the religion raise up on the toes of our To perform it, Obatala was given a shell full of earth, a five-fingered hen, and a pigeon. Anubis was concerned with funerary practices and the care of the dead. Horus was raised to avenge his fathers murder. He is depicted as an androgynous being and is considered the union between masculine and feminine energies sometimes he is even portrayed as a woman. Perhaps the most 'popular' of the orishas, Shang rules over divination and the accompanying arts. and profound lakes she is deep and unknowable. anting him with a profound wisdom. One day, in the depths of the forest, he eventually meets Ossain who gives him a potion to drink. He embodies the power of the sun, essential for the growth. He taught his followers the secrets of civilization (fire, smithing, hunting, politics, and war). Once possessed by his spirit, the devotee experiences a frenzied blood-lust. Oya, however, started to dance with him. Orisha Nana wears purple dresses. These supernatural entities usually referred to as deities are actually emanations or avatars of the supreme being Olodumare. Orunmila was impressed! As the wife of the god of the underworld, Isis was also one of the main deities concerned with rites for the dead. During his lifetime, he was married to three wives (Oshun, Oba, and Oya). them often to represent her. the numbers 7 and the colors green and black. though through which he enforces justice in the world. In this universalized form Osiriss cult spread throughout Egypt, often joining with the cults of local fertility and underworld deities. Like the volcano, Aganju is noted for his legendary strength and his ability to bring about drastic change. Eventually, Isis and her sister Nephthys found and buried all the pieces, except the phallus, thereby giving new life to Osiris, who thenceforth remained in the underworld as ruler and judge. Anubis. They were about to kill him too! When the smoke disappeared, Obatala noticed his skin color also disappeared. Osiris was not only ruler of the dead but also the power that granted all life from the underworld, from sprouting vegetation to the annual flood of the Nile River. Yemaya is her mother (in some accounts they are sisters). One day, Olorun, the supreme creator, thought about creating firm land. Aganju by Robert Love So, whenever you make a purchase through an Amazon link on this website, I may earn some commissions. Warriors, and is received along with Elegba, Ogn and Osun in Up there, he put the red powder in his tongue and started spitting fire. complex, but no more so than any other living being such as you or I. the human and the divine, as he is child-like messenger between the two His element is water. He ran off with the clothes and left Obatala naked. Obatala knocked Eshu down three times and Eshu got back on his feet after all of them. Regarding his trickster nature, Eshu is known for playing tricks, deceiving, and even helping those who ask him for help in doing some inappropriate things. According to the Osiris myth, Horus was the son of Isis and Osiris, magically conceived after the murder of Osiris by his brother Seth. Most had a principle association (for example, with the sun or the underworld) and form. However, a deal was made. There are different stories to explain how Omulu got his clothes that cover all his body and face, but one of the most common is that Nana felt so sorry for him that she decided to cover it all to avoid him suffering. We are also blessed from time to time in the religion with the Shango noticed she had taken the medicine and he got mad at her. The intention of this site is not to indoctrinate anyone. colors which are their marks, and each has their own favorite foods and He was also the embodiment of the divine kingship, and in some eras the reigning king was considered to be a manifestation of Horus. Aganj - orisha that was a warrior king, walked with a sword as a staff, and is associated with fire. Firstly because of the eb she prepared to become a mother. The shell contained a magical soil and a divine cloth. All life started in the sea, the amneotic fluid inside the Although she controls storms, her main element is fire. Ossain started roaming the lands. Ossain became known as a doctor! A priest could only be dedicated to that single orisha of the city, and that orisha was honored above all others. Before we can get to know each Orisha and their energies, we must understand their roots in the Yoruba Religion and Mythology.
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