All about Iemanjá – Get to know the goddess of the oceans better

Do you know who Iemanjá is? What does she represent? Rest assured here you will know all about Yemanja. She is considered the holder of power over the waters, which is why her territory in its entirety is aquatic places, such as the sea, lakes, rivers and oceans. She is very revered in African cultures, such as in the religions of Umbanda, Candomblé and Quimbanda, whose principle is to pass on the peace and union that Iemanjá provides.

The goddess of the seas was well known for her sweet song, which is said to calm even the most afflicted heart, leaving only peace and joy, being also the ‘mother whose children are fish’, derived from the African legend and the name of the Yorubá river.

All about Iemanjá and their names

Iemanjá is known as The Queen of the Sea, but not only by that name. So, to know everything about Iemanjá, see the names that we can refer to Iemanjá:

• Iemanjá: The Lady of the Oceans;
• Iemanjá: The mermaid of the sea;
• Iemanjá: The Queen of salt waters;
• Iemanjá: Protector of Sailors, Fishermen and Jangadeiros;
• Iemanjá: Goddess of Pearls.

But, as a Brazilian aspect, there are also names that make reference to Iemanjá:
Dandalunda;

• Inaé;
• Isis;
• Janaína;
• marabout;
• Macunã;
• Princess, Queen and Mermaid of the sea.

All about Iemanjá – Original Legend

The legend that came with the blacks at the time of slavery is that Iemanjá was married to her brother Orungan and lived a very unhappy life, however, one day, when her brother decides to rape her, she flees and before he reaches her. , she falls to the ground and dies at the same moment, and from her full breasts a great lake is born and from her womb the following gods were born:

• Dada: The God of Vegetables;
• Xangó: The God of Thunder;
• Ogun: The God of iron and also of war;
• Olokum: The God of the Sea;
• Oloxá: The Goddess of the Lakes;
• Oiá: The Goddess of the Niger River;
• Oxum: The God of the River Oxum;
• Obá: The Goddess of the Obá River;
• Oko: The Goddess of Agriculture;
• Ochosi: The God of hunters;
• Oke: The God of Hills;
• Ajê Xaluga: The God of wealth;
• Xapanã: The God of smallpox;
• Orum: The Sun;
• Oshun: The Moon.

If you are interested in everything about Iemanjá, know that the goddess is one of the only orixás that has a day in her honor, February 2nd. In addition to being worshiped by several religions at the same time, including Catholicism, in the form of Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes, the patron saint of fishermen.

Therefore, it is very common to ask for protection from navigators, before embarking on their ships, and from fishermen, so that fisheries are governed by blessings and abundance.

All about Iemanjá and its cults

To understand everything about Iemanjá, we must understand the difference between the cults performed to this Orixá, and in Candomblé, the faithful who follow the African doctrine of this religion and the tribute takes place indoors.

On the other hand, Umbanda performs its rituals in honor of Iemanjá in open places such as the sea, rivers and lakes.

We should also know that Iemanjá is very vain and, therefore, her offerings must always contain a flower, represented in white, symbolizing the peace and union that she loves so much.
In addition, rituals always have jewelry or jewelry, bottles of various perfumes, soaps, mirrors and white candles.

All about Iemanjá and her children

We must point out that to those who want to know everything about Iemanjá, that the goddess is known for her protection to her children, as she caresses and holds the babies’ heads at birth, guaranteeing them safety from birth.

Therefore, many people are considered children of Iemanjá. These people are the ones who adore her and do everything in her name.

Some characteristics are very common among the children of Iemanjá:

• They seek peace, unity and maintain family and friendship ties;
• They like to help everyone with their problems;
• They have a deep intelligence;
• They are considered protectors and defenders of the oppressed;
• Women tend to have fuller breasts and buttocks;
• They are people considered to be very extroverted and are always happy;
• And both men and women tend to be plumper physically.
• We can understand, therefore, that for its faithful it governs the whole family, maintaining unity, peace and joy within a house, avoiding complications and unnecessary misunderstanding, thus having an extremely important role in the lives of its faithful.

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