She can bring destruction and also prepare the soil for a new beginning. Here are a few of the most important deities to know. Over the course of Egyptian history hundreds of gods and goddesses were worshipped. One day, Ogun arrives from a battle and finds Ochossi scared and isolated. Also observe how the Ikol means Messenger of the House (of Olodumare). It started when Orunmila, a powerful Orisha related to prophecies and divination, assigned Ossain with lots of tasks as if he was his slave. Shes impulsive, aggressive, and cant be controlled. In his early days, he was very hostile, inflicting disease upon those who transgressed him. Nana didnt like the idea of having the permission of Ogun for her works or for being praised. When she offered mud, he was finally able to create perfect human beings. predynastic and dynastic periods in ancient Egypt. The purpose of these stories today is to teach lessons rather than relate some literal truth. He has many different stories regarding his deeds and adventures, but Ill briefly write about one of my favorite stories involving him. To get Oya, Shango entered a battle against Ogun. Aganju by Robert Love Shes usually considered Yemayas sister, but some tales also describe her as Yemayas daughter. He is the most feared of the Orisha. Each region has their own main Orishas and stories may also vary. He tried to punish her, but she fled. Ochossi leaves again and, this time, he decides by himself to live with Ossain. He is the repository of ash. There, she cried and formed the rivers that flooded the earth and created the oceans. Inside the forest, he met Aroni, a gnome wearing a hood and hopping on one leg only. her children by watching the rivers and streams she rules over and 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. This fight was mainly a physical fight, no magic was involved. As the goddess of the sky, Nut engulfed the sun at night and brought it back again at the beginning of the day. Ogun, as I explained above, is a warrior and he creates weapons. Madonna. opportunity to meet the orishas face to face during a bemb Orisha Omulu, also known as Obalua or Sopona is the healer, but also the one who spreads diseases. The Alaafin was the head of one of the largest Yoruba states. Theres a story explaining how Ossain become knowledgeable about the power of plants and eventually became a great healer. This was not enough, he continued to be teased and provoked. Her element is fire and she wears red clothes. with quick wits, quick temper and is the epitomy of virility. (the Sea) she does so on her own circuitous route. they rule over. where one or more of their priests will be mounted (see trance possession). Horus was raised to avenge his fathers murder. Osiris festivals symbolically reenacting the gods fate were celebrated annually in various towns throughout ancient Egypt. He learned how to impress others with his beauty as a woman and also as a man; he also learned how to scare people as a snake or even as a snake-monster being. way they have always received them, so that they will recognise our From here on, every offering dedicated to Obatala should be delivered at the crossroad to Eshu. According to the myth, Osiris was a king of Egypt who was murdered and dismembered by his brother Seth. These devotees often commit violent acts of self-harm to demonstrate their tolerance to pain. The party was over. He took Eshus words seriously and entered his mothers castle in the shape of a terrifying snake. The two became friends and Aroni shared with Ossain all the secrets related to herbs, plants, and flowers. evolve through the form of a fish before becoming a human baby. His reign ended when he inadvertently destroyed his palace with lightning. Thanks! The Orishas: Aganyu, Babalu-Aye, Chango, and Eleggua, The God of Wealth and Other Deities of Prosperity and Money, What Is Mysticism? Shes a crone who knows all the secret spells and hidden knowledge out there. Up there, he put the red powder in his tongue and started spitting fire. Talisman. Orisa ojenia: the orisha that made and created life and existence to mankind. Ogn out of the forests using her feminine wiles. The god Seth was considered the murderer of Osiris and adversary of Horus. Shango learned how to control the fire and started using it to protect the ones who needed it. With her dance, she causes winds and shakes the iruquer, her baton with buffalo (or horse) tail capable of sending eguns away. one who has knowledge without wisdom is merely a danger to themselves He is ocanani with Elegba, meaning The earth which was inside the seashell fell on it and covered a small space. other things which they like to receive as offerings and gifts. Erinle is a wilderness god, associated with hunting, herbalism and animal husbandry. This helped the religion to survive. the door between the worlds and opens our roads in life. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. they are of one heart. ARTWORK: Now, its said that albino people are highly protected by Obatala. This changing nature made Oshumare a versatile one. 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. Orisha Oshun, also known as Osun, is the Orisha of Rivers and Love. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. The heaven realm is the domain of Olorun, a sun god. Osiris, one of Egypts most important deities, was god of the underworld. Babal-Ay (originally Shopona) is a healing god. humanity. Elegba (also referred to Eleggua or Eleggu) is the owner of the The others were dancing and drinking a lot. process). One day, Orunmila ordered Ossain to prepare a huge portion of land because he wanted to start planting and cultivating the soil. By symbolically placing these two double axes on the chest, one can summon Shango for protection. Obatala became aware of the situation and decided to punish Omulu for spreading the disease among the Orishas. The goddess Isis was the mother of the king and was thus the mother of Horus and consort of Osiris. These gods, the Orisha, were Thoth, Kokou, Mujaji, Ptah, Nyami and Bast . He is envisioned as an extremely wealthy deity, dressed in refined garments, adorned with coral beads and plumage from a hunted game. The first step he took on this realm became known as Ile-Ife (the capital of the Yorubaland). allowed to witness the creation of the universe by Olorun and bears One was the gods, another was the spirits of deceased humans, who existed in the divine realm and possessed many of the gods' abilities. It is common in all pantheons, religions, and mythologies to find different tales for the same story. One tradition holds that Horus lost his left eye fighting with Seth, but his eye was magically healed by the god Thoth. He is recognised in While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The Orishas already existed and they lived in the sky, above this watery space. She made it. Before we can get to know each Orisha and their energies, we must understand their roots in the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. observing that though she always heads toward her sister Yemay But not a river or an ocean. Back to Oyo, Oya delivered Shango the red powder. He embodies the power of the sun, essential for the growth. Children are the Fish" to reflect the fact that her children are One story suggests that Osumare disliked this changing nature because he couldnt have any stable relationships. However, it was not enough to make him free of problems or curses. In many ways, therefore, understanding an orisha is like understanding another human being. And he spat more fire. The idea that rebirth in the next life could be gained by following Osiris was maintained through certain cult forms. This land received the name If (large abode). His colors are green and yellow which reflect He was usually represented as a jackal or as a man with the head of a jackal. Just like a storm. Other stories tell that Ogum was married to Oya. He usually has a long snout and long ears that are squared at the tips. Corrections? Their religion is mostly made of customs, practices, and beliefs that are orally passed through generations. Oya traveled back to deliver the medicine to Shango but during the journey, she stopped to rest and wondered how that strange red power tasted. Olorun who created the universe, it is Obatal who is the Youd be right. Both are fighters who protect their followers. propitiated and always called first before any other orisha as he opens 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. After this, she fled to the top of a mountain, but he followed her. Osiris, also called Usir, one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt. The Orisha began to lose patience with him, especially when he tried to infect them with smallpox after they laughed at his deplorable dancing skills. Her name, a Hes also the one whos responsible for work in general. Santeros (Santeria priests) do not believe that the orishas and the saints are identical. As the god of wisdom, Thoth was said to possess knowledge of magic and secrets unavailable to the other gods. Instead were going to focus on Yoruba religion from west Africa, and the Orishas that populate Yoruba stories. To acknowledge the Shango threw thunderbolts in all directions, killing the rams. Oshun went after Eshu and, when she found him, she asked the clothes back. After receiving an eb (food offering), Eshu helped the man by deceiving the kings guards. Elegba is always The orishas are the emissaries of Olodumare or God almighty. This was a necessity when slave-owners refused to allow slaves to practice African religion. He is married to Obba but has relations He has a warrior side So, today were talking about African Pantheons. The person salutes the Orishas and talks to them during the session. Yemay lives and rules over the seas and lakes. His colors are blue and yellow. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922. roads. At a specific moment, they got drunk and they started teasing Omulu to get up and dance too. 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. He was represented as a mummified king, wearing wrappings that left only the green skin of his hands and face exposed. These macumbas can be done with the energies of the Orishas too, though this is not a requirement. He is known as the omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba pantheon, whose light brings life and vitality to all living things. The number of orishas varies among believers. feet (or rise out our chairs if we are sitting) at the mention of his Sometimes they are depicted as once-mortal figures, often leaders, who were elevated by Olodumare to divinity. Were going to focus on a dozen or so. The intention of this site is not to indoctrinate anyone. The heaven realm is the domain of Olorun, a sun god. If you wish to support me,please use the button below and buy me a ko-fi! Save it to your Pinterest folders and if you can do support my work by visiting my Ko-Fi page. Id like to remind you that there are more than 400 Orishas out there and different places may highlight others as the main ones. The pantheon of Orishas (traditionally followed by the Yoruba people) is a sequence of divine spirits dispatched by the supreme god Olodumare. represent his/her different paths. Orunmila is wisdom and This is the source of Ogun always wears dark blue clothes and may also wear pieces of armor. As the wife of the god of the underworld, Isis was also one of the main deities concerned with rites for the dead. Oshosi is the hunter and the scout of the orishas and assumes From about 2000 bce onward it was believed that every man, not just the deceased kings, became associated with Osiris at death. In ancient Greek religion, she was known . But these could change over time as gods rose and fell in importance and evolved in ways that corresponded to developments in Egyptian society. She also had an important funerary aspect, being known as the lady of the west. (Tombs were generally built on the west bank of the Nile.) Unlike many gods, she cant be tied to a specific town, and there are no certain mentions of her in the earliest Egyptian literature. Beyer, Catherine. 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. The stone was actually a thunderstone known as edum ar. As you He just observed how Obatala used to work, how he used to create humans from clay. https://www.britannica.com/list/11-egyptian-gods-and-goddesses, largest and most complex pantheons of gods. She is a fierce warrior who rides to war with Since Anubis is the god of the dead, his Greek equivalent would be Hades. Once, he wanted to enhance his powers in an absurd way. The orishas are often best understood by observing the forces of nature He is the owner of all Like the volcano, Aganju is noted for his legendary strength and his ability to bring about drastic change. Using these sacred materials, he created fields, forests, hills, and valleys. The gods of the land keep the peace and the people in check. Olorun by Sanjana Baijnath He lived inside a forest and he would have sexual relations with any woman who entered the woods. Most had a principle association (for example, with the sun or the underworld) and form. Anubis. Through the Table of If In a sense, all offerings and rituals were made using these metals, so all of them needed Oguns permission to be carried on. His element is wind. Possible Greek/Roman Equivalent (s) Other. the numbers 7 and the colors green and black. Ochossi and Ogun are brothers. Orisha Oya, also commonly known as Ians, is the Orisha of storms, thunder, and strong winds. She returned to the river where the naked and ashamed Obatala was still waiting for his clothes and delivered them back to him in exchange for the knowledge she wanted so badly. colors which are their marks, and each has their own favorite foods and Orisana : the great orisha OBA ba. I write this page as a way to honor these forces. Apart from this story, Oshumares stories are usually less dramatic as he is usually more associated with beauty and riches. Shango asked her if Eshu gave instructions on how to use that powder. 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. 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. As a spirit of Chaos and Trickery, he frequently tempts mortals from their moral path. axe. The goddess Hathor was usually depicted as a cow, as a woman with the head of a cow, or as a woman with cows ears. Obatala then began to build a city, but after discovering alcohol (brewed from palm leaves) he became distracted from duties. She usually holds a mirror in one hand. from draught by flying up to heaven (turning into a vulture in the He is revered by all the hunting communities and is often employed by the Orishas as a scout, helping them to locate lost items. Oshumare met Eshu, the trickster Orisha. 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. Over time, Re came to be syncretized with other sun deities, especially Amon. What is very important to know now is that these people shared common beliefs and customs. Instead, one of the roles of the priests of Santeria is to apply applicable patakis to the situation at hand. For In her path of Okutti In the New World, these beings are commonly seen as family: they marry each other, give birth to others, and so forth. Orisha Oshun wears golden yellow dresses. Their union gives birth to Aganju (earth, in a way we can walk upon it) and Yemaya (water). 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). She 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. And also, everyone who visited Obatala should pay tributes to Eshu when leaving. The oldest known depiction of Osiris dates to about 2300 bce, but representations of him are rare before the New Kingdom (15391075 bce), when he was shown in an archaizing form as a mummy with his arms crossed on his breast, one hand holding a crook, the other a flail. Just like her mother, shes also calm and tranquil. He got uncontrollable as usual and when he noticed, the entire empire was burning. The Sky god finished building the city of Ife and made himself the king of the Yoruba. The festivals took place in the open, so public participation was permitted. Ossain became so famous that he was asked to heal a king. She carries an Ibiri in her hand, which is a tool capable of warding off evil spirits. They recognise When Omulu knew that Obatala was going to his house, he fled to the forests and hid there. The association of jackals with death and funerals likely arose because Egyptians would have observed jackals scavenging around cemeteries. numbers four and six. Orisha Ossain is the Orisha who rules over the forests. One day, Obatala was so busy that he asked Eshu to guard his house and prevent people from entering to offer him gifts. She became Oya Ibale, the queen of the dead. Explore the Osiris shaft, a symbolic tomb of the god Osiris. Hathor embodied motherhood and fertility, and it was believed that she protected women in childbirth. The deities, called Orishas in Ifa/Orisha worship, are sometimes referred to as the "hands of God." They are heavenly intercessors in the lives of humans who may be engaged for blessings or . 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. Shango noticed she had taken the medicine and he got mad at her. witness to our destinies in the making as well. greatness of this king, all in the religion raise up on the toes of our Shang (sharing lightning and fire with him) and was once the most often approach to aid us in money matters. He never asked a single question. In many ways, therefore, understanding an orisha is like understanding another human being. Oya is married to Shango, a warrior Orisha who also has fire as an element. He made some oxen appear on the roofs of cattle sheds. Once possessed by his spirit, the devotee experiences a frenzied blood-lust. 4 In the light of the foregoing; the present study would attempt to explore these religio- . Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Today the massive temple complex devoted to Amon-Re at Karnak is one of the most visited monuments in Egypt. Lambs are sacred to her. 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. Shango returned home. All the touched ones became severely sick! It is believed that depictions of Isis with the infant Horus influenced Christian imagery of Mary with the infant Jesus. Her name also is rendered as B'sst, Baast, Ubaste, and Baset. Ogun created many things that helped mankind to flourish. As master of the deep, he has a great insight into the mysteries of nature. 11. 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. Luckily, Obatala exiled him to the wilderness, where he has lived as an outcast. Thoth, the god of writing and wisdom, could be depicted in the form of a baboon or a sacred ibis or as a man with the head of an ibis. The next step was the creation of all life. contradictory nature. Soon after, she had 9 children, earning the name Ians. He is often viewed as a solitary figure who lives in the wilderness, practicing the ancient craft of shamanism. Deep in his heart, he didnt believe Oshun would be able to get something back from Eshu. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! 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. The origin of Osiris is obscure; he was a local god of Busiris, in Lower Egypt, and may have been a personification of chthonic (underworld) fertility. He then shouted: Is the king a king even when he wears no clothes?. In this 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). During his lifetime, he was married to three wives (Oshun, Oba, and Oya). Article written by Simon E. Davies, Contributor to Ancient Code. Yoruba mythology involves the presence of the supreme being and other more minor "gods" or "spirits" known as orishas (which are both male and female). He ran off with the clothes and left Obatala naked. This trend is encouraged by the fact that each Santeria community today remains independent of other communities. Now that you have a background, we can go on. Eshu was so focused on observing Obatala that he learned everything from him. All my work here is free. 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. Wherever he would go, his fame was already there. Orisha Ochosi, also known as Oxossi or Od, is the hunter.