Orisha Ayrá: history, relationship with Xangô, greetings, offerings and more!

The Orisha Ayrá is an entity full of particularities. But, among them, something that stands out is the fact that it has the ability to control the winds. Those who think that this Orisha is a quality of Xangô are mistaken due to its proximity to this other powerful entity.

What differentiates the two Orixás, despite their similar actions, are the characteristics of each one. Xangô’s way of acting is based on punitivism, while Ayrá is considered benevolent and his main mission is to carry out Oxalufan’s will for peace.

Ayrá is one of the oldest Orixás and has inhabited the Earth since its beginnings. Their path collides with that of Oxalá, because the two are holders of the peace that will be found in the path of the other Orixás. Learn more about Ayrá in this article!

One of the main characteristics of Ayrá is that this Orixá executes the peace transmitted by Oxalá and establishes it for everyone’s life, with the aim that people’s path is surrounded by peace.

The Orixás are known for having a very high energy and their actions, however different they may be, provoke a natural balance between all the elements. Thus, it is through the Orixás that the correct paths to follow in life are established.

Each Orisha has special characteristics that make it different from others, as well as specific actions to bring balance to everyone. Ayrá, therefore, has the function of bringing peace and tranquility, so that people live their experiences in the best possible way. Read more below!

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Around Ayrá, there is a myth that relates him directly to Xangô and Oxalá, since the stories intersect. I hope he remained imprisoned by mistake in the territory of his son, Xangô, for 7 years, which made him sad and crestfallen. Seeing the suffering of the Orisha, Xangô, after freeing him, decided to hold a big party to cheer him up. But to no avail.

Xangô needed to reorganize his kingdom, after years of calamity, and, therefore, he could not accompany his father to Ifé, as he was very weak. Thus, he requested that Ayrá do it. The return became a tiring journey and Ayrá did everything to help Oxalá on the way. Thus, the two became great friends and, over time, created a father-son relationship.

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The houses of worship refer to Ayrá as an Orixá who dresses entirely in white, due to his deep connection with Oxalá, according to the story of the two Orixás.

Ayrá also does not wear a crown as part of her garments. He uses an eketé, also white, as well as his clothes. In this way, he is always seen in white, regardless of Ayrá’s qualities, and always carrying his eketé on his head.

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Ayrá’s deepest connection is with Oxalá, due to its history and for having helped that Orisha to reach its destination, when it was weakened and without strength to continue.

Because of this, Ayrá also built a relationship with Xangô, son of Oxalá, who, according to the story, did not like the friendship built between his father and Ayrá. Many claim that he would be jealous of his father considering Ayrá as a son. The qualities of Ayrá, however, are related to other Orixás, such as Iemanjá, Oxaguiã and Iansã.

The Orixás are not only present in religions of African origin, such as Umbanda and Candomblé, but can also be seen in different religions and cultures, such as, for example, the Catholic Church itself, through religious syncretism.

The way the Orisha presents itself will be different in some aspects, according to beliefs. For the Catholic Church, the images that are exalted and worshiped are the Saints. Therefore, Ayrá appears in the image of a specific Saint of that religion, who represents his qualities.

In this way, it is necessary to understand that the Orisha has different representations and meanings, according to its qualities, characteristics and forms of action, because Ayrá preaches and executes peace on everyone’s path. Learn how Ayrá is seen in various beliefs below!

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For Candomblé, Ayrá is considered part of the lightning family, but is also related to the winds. In history, the cult of Ayrá predates that of Xangô, despite having been incorporated into his family. Ayrá is seen as an old Orisha.

In addition, it is also considered an Ebora. Thus, an Orisha responsible for having populated the Earth, shortly after it was created. His cult is linked to a temple located in Savé, although there are not enough records that prove initiation in those lands.

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In Umbanda, Ayrá is seen as an Orisha present at the foundation of Xangô, according to its history and connection with this powerful Orisha. For many, he is considered to be a trusted servant of Xango.

Despite this, through the legend that tells the story of Ayrá, Xangô and Oxalá, he tried to create friction between father and son, by helping Oxalá in a moment of difficulty. Seeing the opportunity to approach, Ayrá tried to undermine the father’s view of the son. Because of this, Umbanda separates Ayrá and Xangô and the settlement of this Orisha is done in the house of Oxalá.

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In the Catholic Church, Ayrá is associated with São João and this can be seen due to the tradition of the bonfire, which was created to relate the Saint to this Orisha. The custom of the bonfire was something created in Savé that ended up dissipating, according to the history of Ayrá.

Therefore, he can also be called by some as Ibonã, which means hot or feverish, a title that is also used by many other Orixás, such as Omolu. This, however, is just one of Ayrá’s titles, which can also be seen as Ayrá Osi, for example.

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Ayrá is also known in several other cultures, mainly those that practice religions of African origin. No wonder, one of its main origins and places where it started to be worshiped is Savé, Benin.

In African territories, however, there are no reports or records of people who are governed or initiated by Ayrá. Therefore, in the places where it is worshipped, the predominant cult in reality is that of Nanã or, then, Obaluaiê. This happens due to the fact that Savé, the place where Ayrá has its history started, is in a Jeje territory, in which these other Orixás are the central ones.

Ayrá can be found in different ways, because it relates to different Orixás. These variations are called qualities and have special characteristics and names that define it due to this relationship. Therefore, it is possible to see Ayrá in several other ways and with close relationships with other Orixás besides Xangô and Oxalá, who are present in its history.

Through these qualities of Ayrá, some main characteristics of this powerful Orisha are reinforced, both physically and also in his actions, since he is associated with others who have different qualities from his main ones. See more about the qualities of Ayrá!

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Ayrá Adjaosí is seen in the image of an elderly warrior, who, like the central image of this powerful Orixá, is dressed only in white clothes, which has become his symbol for religion.

This quality of Ayrá has a much deeper connection with Oxalá and Iemanjá. He can also be described as an old companion of Oxalá, who is always at the side of this Orisha and who is faithful to him due to his deep history and eternal connections.

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Known as the father of fire, Ayrá Igbonan can also be interpreted as the owner of the bonfire. This classification is what underlies the syncretism of Ayrá with the Catholic Church, linking him directly to São João.

The custom of connecting Ayrá with a bonfire comes from Savé, where it has a firm origin and history in the world, because it is considered the first place where it started to be worshipped. Its name comes from Ibonã, which means the word “hot”.

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Dressed all in white, Ayrá Intilè carries a Lufon on her back. It takes its name from the patriarch Orisha of ancient Candomblé, in which everyone dresses in white to worship him.

This representation has a very great force, because it is connected with Iansã, an Orixá known as Oiá, associated with the winds, as well as Ayrá, and companion of Xangô, lord of lightning and storms. Ayrá, who is also known for its winds, is associated with the family due to its historical connection and this quality of the Orisha reinforces the closeness.

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Ayrá Modé always appears dressed in white and is the companion of Oxaguiã, a young warrior known for being the son of Oxalufan. Legend indicates that he was born in Ife, long before his father became king there.

The myth related to Ayrá Modé is that, at the end of Sango’s reign, Ayrá had to leave Ilê Oyó and, thus, dressed as Osun to escape a search that aimed to arrest him. Modé is a quality of Ayrá linked to fresh waters and which is rejected by salt waters.

People who are directly influenced by an Orisha are considered their children. Therefore, they are associated with some of the characteristics of each ruling Orixá. Thus, the children of Ayrá will resemble his personality and qualities.

As this is an Orisha known for its wisdom and for its care in applying its actions, aiming at the search for peace, these people behave similarly to the Orisha and do not have assertive attitudes and cannot be read as revolting.

However, in Brazil, not many children of Ayrá are found due to the history and cult of this Orixá. However, the characteristics of people who are directly influenced by him are very strong and can be seen in their actions. To learn more, keep reading below!

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The children of Ayrá have among their main and most striking characteristics their wise attitudes towards the world. Due to this Orisha’s way of acting, his influences are very positive for his children.

In general, they become people with great patience and who are willing not only to seek peace, but also to provide it to people who are troubled or who need advice to feel better.