The Orisha And The 12 Gods Of Yoruba Mythology. I write this page as a way to honor these forces. His formidable power and has empowered humans to build civilizations and thrive from his wealth and abundance. Osiris, one of Egypt's most important deities, was god of the underworld. Sky Woman: The Overlooked Iroquois Influence on America. 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. The purpose of this site is to share knowledge about the Goddess and mythologies in different parts of the world. offerings and come to our aid. ORISHAS - the Yoruba Spirits of Many Things (Yoruba mythology) - Godchecker Olorun eventually forgave his son and gave Obatala the responsibility of creating the human race (which he brought into being via his breath of life). From now on, Ill bring the Orisha list with the 12 most important ones. Of course, he drinks it! He is said to live in the forest with his Orisha brothers part of the time. Through the Table of If Hes followed by dogs. He is most often represented by a double headed 2023 All Rights Reserved. babbling brook and the flash flood reflect her changeable moods. gold and her number is five. Aganju and Yemaya have a child called Orung. Olodumare In his fully animal form, he has a thin doglike body and a straight tail with a tuft on the end. Horus was raised to avenge his fathers murder. Even if a priest of one orisha died, there would be others in the community trained to work with that same orisha. Their tales and beliefs are as old as time, predating our common era. Crash Course is on Patreon! Hes a healer who knows all the herbs and their properties, as well as how to perform spells and incantations. Ptahs original association seems to have been with craftsmen and builders. Today the massive temple complex devoted to Amon-Re at Karnak is one of the most visited monuments in Egypt. Shes a crone who knows all the secret spells and hidden knowledge out there. Eshu used to roam free with no destination at all. drumming, women, song and eating. Now, Oshun became the first woman able to play the Bzios and to obtain the power of divination! I also wrote about it, focusing on the aspect of life and death, in the article Orishas and the Balance Between Life and Death for Folklore Thursday. He also taught humans agriculture. So if you find here something different from what you were taught as a practitioner, simply write me, so I can add a note stating this difference. This was not enough, he continued to be teased and provoked. The orishas are equated with a variety of Catholic saints. His son Horus successfully fought against Seth, avenging Osiris and becoming the new king of Egypt. Ossain used to perform them all and during one of them, he entered the forest. Beyer, Catherine. Just like a storm. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. 12. However, everyone would visit him, stay a few days, and go back home. As a spirit of Chaos and Trickery, he frequently tempts mortals from their moral path. It is said she had some children, but two of them symbolize opposite aspects of life. Shango asked her if Eshu gave instructions on how to use that powder. No one wanted to dance with him as usual. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922. An Orisha is a God or a Goddess from the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. Oshun is also considered a Mother Goddess and its very common for her worshipers to be known as children of Oshun. her children by watching the rivers and streams she rules over and He can be represented as an old man or as a young one. In the original African belief system from which Santeria originates, there are hundreds of orishas. As an Amazon affiliate, links may contain an affiliate code. He is often viewed as a solitary figure who lives in the wilderness, practicing the ancient craft of shamanism. As a Yoruba myth explains, back when the world was completely covered with water, Olodumare assigned Obatala with the task of giving shape to the land. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. She seduced Eshu, slept with him, and took Obatalas clothes back. The heaven realm is the domain of Olorun, a sun god. Ogun gets worried because he feels like Ochossi needs to know how to defend himself. relationship with the orisha of divination, Orunmila. Agemo - the chameleon servant of the supreme god Olorun. almost always used first for war. BBC - Religions - Santeria: Santeria deities the root of all the paths or manifestations, Olokun is the source of observing that though she always heads toward her sister Yemay The Orishas. Both are fighters who protect their followers. worlds. The Egyptian Goddess List Possible Greek/Roman Equivalent (s) Other. they are of one heart. He also symbolized death, resurrection, and the cycle of Nile floods that Egypt relied on for agricultural fertility. According to the Osiris myth, Horus was the son of Isis and Osiris, magically conceived after the murder of Osiris by his brother Seth. Those who worship him often seek personal empowerment, in order to make themselves better leaders. In the forest. Never metal ones! Seth was the god of chaos, violence, deserts, and storms. Others suggest that Omulu is a son of Nan, who rejected him for his ugliness and disposed of him. His reign ended when he inadvertently destroyed his palace with lightning. He takes an active role in the affairs of both heaven and earth. It is said he punishes all those who lie and deceive others. Orisha Obatala always wears white clothes. Here are a few of the most important deities to know. The patakis, or stories of the orishas, are not standardized and are frequently contradictory. Olodumare is the source of ashe, which all living things must have in order to survive and succeed, including the orishas. 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. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consult individual encyclopedia entries about the topics. Today, we refer to these areas as Yorubaland. He takes an active role in the affairs of both heaven and earth. He ordered all the sorcerers of the empire to produce some kind of magical potion for him, but all of them failed. She caused strong winds that lifted Omulus clothes, revealing his appearance. 4 In the light of the foregoing; the present study would attempt to explore these religio- . and others. The Alaafin was the head of one of the largest Yoruba states. Finally, there is Eshu, a trickster God, and patron of crossroads. Like the volcano, Aganju is noted for his legendary strength and his ability to bring about drastic change. Orisha | Myths and Folklore Wiki | Fandom Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Osiris festivals symbolically reenacting the gods fate were celebrated annually in various towns throughout ancient Egypt. Osiris, also called Usir, one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt. It is said that Ogun had many lovers. In this universalized form Osiriss cult spread throughout Egypt, often joining with the cults of local fertility and underworld deities. One day he reached Obatalas house. For instance, you can learn much about Oshn and The Santeria faith teaches that every individual has a destiny from God, a destiny fulfilled with the aid and energy of the orishas.The basis of the Santeria religion is the nurture of a personal . One day, Olorun, the supreme creator, thought about creating firm land. He decides to enter the forest and look for his brother. From about 2000 bce onward it was believed that every man, not just the deceased kings, became associated with Osiris at death. List of Yoruba deities - Wikipedia where one or more of their priests will be mounted (see trance possession). In this role, it is not surprising that he has a very close Before we can get to know each Orisha and their energies, we must understand their roots in the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. According to the myth, Osiris was a king of Egypt who was murdered and dismembered by his brother Seth. process). In this Beyer, Catherine. He was represented as a mummified king, wearing wrappings that left only the green skin of his hands and face exposed. OBATALA - The Yoruba Religious Concepts - Google They recognise they are about to do. But they cant figure out what animal hes supposed to be. Today its known as Yorubaland. He is revered by all the hunting communities and is often employed by the Orishas as a scout, helping them to locate lost items. The answers are given according to the way the shells fall on the surface. Her other name, Iansa or Ians, means mother to 9 children. Humans provide ashe through blood or other ritual actions, and the orisha becomes a conduit of ashe from Olodumare to the petitioner to assist in the petitioner's endeavors. All had to be rebuilt again. To perform it, Obatala was given a shell full of earth, a five-fingered hen, and a pigeon. He has a warrior side Over time, Re came to be syncretized with other sun deities, especially Amon. This dual role was combined with the Egyptian concept of divine kingship: the king at death became Osiris, though the living king was identified with Horus, a god of the sky. Obatala observed how hard Eshu was working and decided to compensate him. Ill start with the male ones, the Orisha Gods as we can call them. Shango, the impulsive, only had a stone. He also demanded that these seven backed yams should be planted in front of everyone. Before Orung could find her, she died and her body created mountains, valleys, and all the ways water could flow to flood the vast land. His element is wind. this reason all who are to be initiated as priests, no matter what If you enjoyed this article, please share it with people who may also find it interesting. anting him with a profound wisdom. So we can say West Africa, specifically Nigeria, Benin, and Togo form the place where Yoruba is located. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! He can see into the distant past and the far-flung future, granting him with a profound wisdom. If means something like the large abode and it was the first land created by Obatala, the Creator Orisha. Goddesses Archetypes Cards Online Free Oracle Reading, Oracle of Hecate Online Free Oracle Reading, YES or NO Oracle Free and Accurate Online Oracle Reading, The Triple Goddess 101 Manifesting your own magic with her, WHEEL OF THE YEAR and the 8 Sabbats A Full and free guide, 14 Hindu Gods and Goddesses that will make your life better, Orisha: the 12 most powerful Gods from Yoruba Mythology, Yoruba Religion and Mythology - An Introduction, A Brief Overview of Candombl and Umbanda, Orishas and the Balance Between Life and Death for Folklore Thursday, All about the Wheel of the Year and the 8 Sabbats, The Triple Goddess and her manifestations. This man proposed a challenge to the king to prove he was no lier. Apart from these religions, its totally common to find witches and Pagans energetically working with these deities too. Eshu by Akili Mansa Richards. Over the course of Egyptian history hundreds of gods and goddesses were worshipped. Were going to focus on a dozen or so. Besides his apparent ugliness, Omulu also had many skin diseases, including smallpox which contributed to his ugly appearance. He never asked a single question. The party was over. Osiris, one of Egypts most important deities, was god of the underworld. The goddess Isis was the mother of the king and was thus the mother of Horus and consort of Osiris. All metals and weapons belong to Ogun, the blacksmith Orisha. Yoruba is no different. He took his clothes off and hang them on a tree. 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. Anyway, Oshun wanted to learn at all costs, but Obatala always said no to her. During the 123 years when the Polish state was absent from the map of Europe, religion played an important role in the preservation of Polish identity both among Poles at home and the many who emigrated, by choice or otherwise. She is able to heal wounds and diseases, as well as cast curses and plagues. humanity. Olorun had two sons, Obatala and Oduduwa, who helped him develop the features of the Earth. The rest is spent in the farm with Oko (a farming god). Ogun always wears dark blue clothes and may also wear pieces of armor. Role. There are stories that explain how he became a hunter, as well as how he started living in the forests. Orisha Oshumare is the Orisha related to the rainbow and also to beauty and riches. Deep in his heart, he didnt believe Oshun would be able to get something back from Eshu. Hes the one who provides food and protection for all people. Obatala then began to build a city, but after discovering alcohol (brewed from palm leaves) he became distracted from duties. Anut - A warrior Goddess, defender of the Sun God and protector or the king in battle. Actually, she lives wherever earth meets water and forms mud. He lived inside a forest and he would have sexual relations with any woman who entered the woods. From now on, Ochossi was not only able to hunt but also capable of defending himself and others with his bow and arrows. Osiris was not only the ruler of the dead but also the power that granted all life from the underworld, from vegetation to the annual flood of the Nile River. the female orishas but retains the title of Iyalode or great queen. The number of orishas varies among believers. All Of The African Goddess Names And Their Mythologies The creator of mankind, and god of purity and redemption, Obatala is a great example of how the orishas can sometimes show proof of a fallible, human-like character. Updates? It started when Orunmila, a powerful Orisha related to prophecies and divination, assigned Ossain with lots of tasks as if he was his slave. Rather than willfully trying to misguide them, his aim is to enrich their life experience, leading them to a spiritual maturation through their transgressions. He is the repository of ash. his priests unfold the secrets of the universe and the secrets of the As master of the deep, he has a great insight into the mysteries of nature. She usually holds a mirror in one hand. He didnt need them. Erinle is a wilderness god, associated with hunting, herbalism and animal husbandry. List of Yoruba deities | Religion Wiki | Fandom 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. The Orishas: Orunla, Osain, Oshun, Oya, and Yemaya - Learn Religions One powerful talisman of Polish Catholicism. The gods of the land keep the peace and the people in check. It is said he was the emperor of Oyo, today Nigeria. over maternity in our lives as she is the Mother of All. After playtime, they would simply return to the sky. She became Oya Ibale, the queen of the dead. The origins of Isis are obscure. We also have lots of syncretism involved which contributed to the spread of their worship inside Christian beliefs too. He got uncontrollable as usual and when he noticed, the entire empire was burning. He stood up using his walking stick and touched each one with it. People asked him to calm down and forgive Oya. Up there, he put the red powder in his tongue and started spitting fire. Yemay lives and rules over the seas and lakes. His element is water. In that sense, they work more like Western pantheons like those of the Greeks or Romans. She also holds a buffalo (or horse) tail in the other hand symbolizing her power to tame the forces of nature and send eguns and bad energies away. By symbolically placing these two double axes on the chest, one can summon Shango for protection. Orisha Oshun wears golden yellow dresses. Olorun was responsible for having the idea of creating firm land. And he spat more fire. He calmed down and Oya went back home. In a sense, all offerings and rituals were made using these metals, so all of them needed Oguns permission to be carried on. Obatala descended from the sky and flipped the seashell on the water. In the Old Kingdom (c. 25752130 BCE), before Osiris rose to prominence as the lord of the underworld, Anubis was considered the principal god of the dead. This is the source of https://www.learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922 (accessed March 5, 2023). Ancient Code is a website founded in 2012 that covers articles and scientific discoveries that help understand humanitys past, present, and future. 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. Learn Religions. People who can play Buzios are actually asking the Orishas for answers. Shes impulsive, aggressive, and cant be controlled. Its said there are over 400 different Orishas out there! Wherever he would go, his fame was already there. The stone was actually a thunderstone known as edum ar. Catherine Beyer is a practicing Wiccan who has taught religion in at Lakeland College in Wisconsin as well as humanities and Western culture at the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay. There is also a more removed being known as Olodumare, who created the orishas but later retreated from his creations. Omulu is one of Nan Burukes sons. 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. Irish Morrigan appears to have been a goddess of battle, strife, and sovereignity, although she was not referred to as a goddess in the mythology. Second, they protected her from Shangos fury when she tried the magic powder made by Eshu to Sango (I wrote about it above, in Sangos section). He talked to Obatala and assigned him the task of creating land. Oshun went after Eshu and, when she found him, she asked the clothes back. Kokou by Assasin Monkey She recognises herself in the colors yellow and However, it was not enough to make him free of problems or curses. He is known as the omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba pantheon, whose light brings life and vitality to all living things. One tradition holds that Horus lost his left eye fighting with Seth, but his eye was magically healed by the god Thoth. Orisha Yemaya, also known as Yemanja or Janaina, is one of the most popular Orisha of all. 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. By about 2400 bce, however, Osiris clearly played a double role: he was both a god of fertility and the embodiment of the dead and resurrected king. People who were watching suggested Eshu could make use of his magical power to beat Obatala. While some really wanted to be with him, others were only victims of his desires. She is considered to be the mother of everything and she is associated with the seas. Everyone got surprised because he was looking handsome. At Memphis the holy bull, Apis, was linked with Osiris, becoming Osiris-Apis, which eventually became the name of the Hellenistic god Serapis. Instead, it signified the renewal of life both in the next world and through ones descendants on Earth. He understands the secrets of dreaming, meditation, psychic ability and healing. Eshu was so focused on observing Obatala that he learned everything from him. The rest of the population follows Catholicism, Protestantism, Spiritism, or no religion at all. 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. She can bring destruction and also prepare the soil for a new beginning. Her name, a Save it to your Pinterest folders and if you can do support my work by visiting my Ko-Fi page. In this region, the powerful Oyo Empire flourished. most often approach to aid us in money matters. Madonna. Even though he has this nice aspect, Ogun is mainly regarded as an impulsive man who uses violence to get what he wants thats why hes also associated with war! Shes usually considered Yemayas sister, but some tales also describe her as Yemayas daughter. 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