Find out how to pay tribute to Iemanjá

The rituals of tribute to Yemanja are a tradition of those who believe in this African deity. Her name means “mother whose children are like fish”. But why honor this woman who is considered the patron saint of fishermen?

Learn more about how to pay tribute to Iemanjá

Appointed as the Brazilian Aphrodite, the goddess Iemanjá receives different names, which meet the beliefs and customs of a people. Her day, marked on the official calendar on February 2, is celebrated in all regions of the country.

However, Umbanda practitioners also revere this goddess on August 15th, December 8th and December 31st, according to a specific calendar. Do you understand about the tribute to Yemanjá? So learn more.

The queen of the sea, goddess of religions such as Umbanda and Candomblé, is revered by all who believe in her power and protection. When honoring the mermaid of the sea, devotees take their gifts to the waters, in order to please her with various offerings.

Iemanjá is known as that woman who likes sweets, perfumes, flowers, soaps, mirrors and jewelry. Her vanity meets the gods and the people. Worshiped and respected by all Orixás, she represents fecundity. She is the force of nature, that she rules the world and the homes of a people who aim to protect her.

Curiosities to be able to pay tribute to Iemanjá

• The queen of salt water and absolute ruler of families, trims babies’ heads at birth;
• It is she who consolidates unions, who generates harmony in the family, awakens love and gives meaning to it;
• Iemanjá’s children are protective and maternal;
• Its name comes from the Yoruba African language;
• A tradition that occurs at every turn of the year, is the jumping of the 7 waves in the waters of the sea, in order to evoke the powers of Iemanjá.
• When Iemanjá comes to mind, she is represented by a woman with long hair and a long blue dress.

Know your legend to be able to pay tribute to Iemanjá

Daughter of Olokum, Iemanjá was married to Olofim-Odudua and with him she had ten Orixás children.
From nursing the children, her breasts became enormous, making her barely able to visit other realms. Exhausted and feeling very needy from living in Ifé, she left for the west and met King Okerê.

Soon he fell in love and they got married. Very ashamed of the size of her breasts, Iemanjá asked her husband never to ridicule her for it. He agreed; however, one day he got drunk and began to make insults and mockery about his wife’s enormous breasts. Saddened, Iemanjá fled.

As a little girl, she carried with her a potion that her mother had given her to drink in extreme cases. Okerê apologized, but when Iemanjá ran, he dropped the bottle. The potion turned it into a river whose bed flowed towards the sea. Okerê, repentant, turned into a mountain to block the course of the waters.

Iemanjá asked his son Xangô for help and with a bolt of lightning, he split the mountain in half. Thus, the river went to the ocean and, in this way, Iemanjá became the queen of the sea. Iemanjá is the goddess of the nation of Egbé, nation is Yoruba where there is the river Yemojá (Yemanjá). Were you able to follow the story to pay tribute to Iemanjá? Excellent! Check out other symbols now.

The symbolism of the Orisha in different nations

Different nations worship the goddess of the sea, but often her symbology changes. Let’s get to know some of these symbologies to be able to pay tribute to Iemanjá in a better way?

Yemanja Asagba or Soba – Linked to Airá, lufã and Orunmilá, it is responsible for spinning cotton. She wears a silver ankle chain and carries an Abebé with her. Her energy is linked to the white foam of the sea and rivers and is always seen wearing white and silver.

Yemanja Akurá – It lives in the foam of the sea, appears dressed in sea mud and covered in seaweed. Very rich and not very vain. She loves sheep and has a strong connection with Nanã.

Yemanja Iyá Odo – For some, she is considered the mother of Oxun. It lives on the banks of all rivers, representing the ancestral Ajubó. In addition, she is linked to the Orisha Oxalufan.

Yemanja Iya Awoyo – The oldest of the Orixás, she has a connection with Oxalá, Oxumarê and Xangô. Always seen wearing pearly white and crystal, she is responsible for the tides.
Iemanjá Malèlèo or Maylewo – Lives in the great lakes and is considered very shy. Legend has it that you can’t touch Iyawò’s face, he wears light green and silvery white.

Iemanjá Iyá Ógunté – Mother of the Ógun River, she is considered a great warrior. Using a sword and carrying an Abebé, she has a connection with Ogun and Oxaguian. She always wears light blue and pearly white.

Yemanja Sessu, Iyasessu – Together with Nanny and Olokun, she is known for being willful and respectable. She lives in the choppy waters off the coast and is always dressed in green and white.

Yemanja Olossá or Oloxá – His connection to Oshun and Nanã is the oldest in the land of Egbado. Wearing light green and with its crystal white beads, this Orixá has no initiates in Brazil.

Yemanja Iya Massê – Xango’s mother.

Despite its different names, it enchants those who know it, so on specific days to pay tribute to Iemanjá that draw crowds close to the sea. Therefore, “She lives in the sea, she plays in the sand, in the sway of the waves she sows peace”.

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