YEMAYÁ: Who is he?, history, types, pataki, and more

In this article you can see everything related to the very named divinity belonging to the Yoruba tradition or religion, such is the so-called yemayá, which is the bearer of many references in different parts of the world.

Don’t miss all its information, such as its history, its prayers, its days, its costumes, its relationships, its deities, its paths, among other elements, which will amaze you and make you want to learn much more about Santeria and its members.

Who is Yemaya?

Nowadays we hear a lot about this deity, belonging to the tradition of Santeria, and although not many share it, it is becoming more and more rooted in society as part of another belief, although it is not new but comes from ancient times, and in the case of the goddess in question she is quite famous, but few know her entire career, so here we will explain who she is.

This is found in the highest echelon of the Santeria hierarchy, in the Yoruba temple; So she has a lot of respect among those who follow her, because she was the first to come into the world when Olofin created it; From her everything we know today is created. At that time she was also related to Obatalá, and together they brought the rest of the orishas to life.

This majesty is known as the person who reigns in love, who imparts this to everyone else, who produced this wonderful feeling in human beings.

There are certain values ​​that characterize this goddess and that usually distinguish her from the rest and they are her great goodness in conjunction with nobility, both necessary for peace, happiness and generosity to reign in the world, which is why she is loved by many. (See article: The Phoenix Bird)

Although it should be noted that the person or group that bothers her will pay ruthlessly for it, since she has a fairly decisive character, and does justice against those who offend her.

Furthermore, she is the one who represents the female gender, and has the joy of understanding her children like every mother, her pride and arrogance also belong to her characteristic form.

Finally, it should be noted that it is she who has power over the sea, in addition to this within the human body she has great power in the uterus, as well as in the buttocks, chest and liver.

History of yemaya

As already mentioned, this comes from many years ago, as well as Obatalá, both are the main inhabitants of the land created by Olofin; It is said that this is born when the creator of the world manages to put out the fire that prevailed in the world.

It is said in history that she was born from the ruler of the sea, her parents are Olokun and Olorun, and her birthplace is called Ifé, a city that is called by this religion as the place where the Yoruba civilization grows.

In addition to his parents, it is stated that he has a sister whose name is Ajé Salugá.

It is important to highlight that it is she who causes everyone to be born, since she is the progenitor, she is the mother of the universe that we know today.

It is also pertinent to highlight that she is praised in certain parts of the world more than in others, these are: South America, the United States and the Caribbean, are places where she is worshiped the most.

Something that constantly symbolizes her are the waves that form in the sea, since as mentioned she is the queen of the sea, and her dance is similar to their movement. (See article: Offerings to Yemayá)

The etymology of his name is the following:

Yeye: word that means “mother”

Omo: Which means son

Eyá: means fish.

Therefore, by combining these three words, we can obtain the mother of all fish, referring to everything explained above, regarding mother and queen of the sea.

It is also said that fish is referred to, because as we all know it is like the representation of fish swimming in the mother’s placenta during the pregnancy period.

Its representative color is blue, the color of the sea, its day of the week is Saturday and its number is 7, its paths are seven, which will be explained in greater detail in the following segments.

Yemayá as Orisha

Regarding this, we have already mentioned enough about it, since as an orisha she is considered to be the mother, as well as the owner and powerful of the kingdom of the sea.

It can be added that she will safeguard many treasures, even those that we might consider trash or waste.

It is also established that with its help we could recover those that we consider lost, which is why many turn to it as a request for what they want and do not have, such as love, health or other similar elements.

The pertinent sacrifices must be made to this orisha in addition to what you want to offer, in her kingdom, that is, in the sea, since it is located where the waves break like the shore and the rocks.

If she wants to destroy something or someone, she will represent herself through the sea, that is, her destruction will be from the strong waves and disasters that the sea invokes, although it should be noted that she will always need help from both the wind and the moon, permanent allies. since they achieve greater destructive force, and an unmatched balance.

This orisha is also said to have had four husbands, such as: Babalú Ayé, Aggayú, Orula and Oggún. (See article: Children of Obatalá)

She is a woman who does not like manipulation since she is indomitable and has great cunning, she likes to hunt and hunt.

Its name cannot be mentioned by people who have established it, unless that person touches the sand with their fingers in addition to kissing the dust.

It is also worth noting that this orisha has a higher hierarchy than that of oyá.

Types of Yemaya deities

When we refer to the types of deities we mean the orishas who are the top of the hierarchy, that is, the main ones for each religion, ensuring that at some point in history they were people of flesh and blood, and each one has their pattaki In addition to this, they also died and went to heaven from where they watch and are represented through the various elements.

When they went to heaven they met their God, whom they called oloffin explained in previous segments.

It is important to mention that in general there are approximately four hundred gods known in this religion, who are willing to receive children, providing all their stability as well as certainty and firmness.

Many of these deities are widely accepted and invoked in Cuba due to African heritage, although on the same island there is a predominance of other religions, including Catholicism; It must be said that from this country these beliefs have spread to other cultures, other nations, such as Venezuela, Ecuador, Brazil, Miami and Colombia.

In this case we will be classifying and explaining one by one the orishas of the goddess in question, and like the rest they are those who have the power and power to reign over nature, that is, over each of its elements, land, sea. , water and fire, of course each one may have one or two of them, but not all.

Agana

With respect to this deity there is great confusion, which many people have taken it upon themselves to propagate in an erroneous manner with certain particular objectives, saying and assuring that Yemayá is Agana, that is, that they are the same body, have the same power, come from from the same place and the same people, however history tells us that they are two totally different people.

This can be demonstrated through certain stories or patakies such as: Odu Ogbe Irete, in which it is interpreted that the goddess in question must have accepted and kept a secret that Agana Eri told her, therefore her characters are two and no one. (See article: Symbols of Buddhism)

We must make sure not to tell stories about which we are not sure how they occurred to avoid spreading false prophecies, which in the end confuse future generations who want to enter into these beliefs; In this case it is established that both deities have different paths and that Agana’s path is not due to Yemayá.

However, there is the following reference: Yemayá Ibu Agana, which is described like this:

As for her name, it means two characters: both furious and crazy.

Although it is said that her beauty is unmatched, it is also said that she has one leg that is skinnier than the other and seven seeds in her belly area.

Its home is located in the depths of the oceans, although it can also be found in certain reefs; it is believed that it was the one that sank Atlantis.

Mayelewo

In the case of this deity, it is stated that he is quite similar to Oshun Ibu Kolé or Ikolé, this being a relative, and to be more exact, she was his sister. It is also stated that this she lives in wells, but there are forests in which there are springs and she is also present which will not end due to her stay in them.

It is related to Oggun and Ossain.

She is visited on many occasions because her knowledge lies in herbs and other medicinal plants, so people who need a cure or relief from some discomfort or illness can ask this goddess.

This goddess is among Olodumare’s favorite daughters. And in this case, like the previous one, she lives in the depths of the sea, but she defines herself more specifically, where the seven tides can be found.

Among its most notable characteristic is that it generates great stability, it has a lot of balance, but in addition to this it is ensured that it is very proud, which is why not everyone likes it, since as it is colloquially said “it looks askance.”

The meaning of her name is “she loves business and money”, so she is very good in these aspects; As for its appearance, it usually carries with it a stone that it obtains from the reef, in addition to a silver snake, and also a lead duck. (See article: Children of Obatalá)

A necklace that has seven hooks is also usually placed on his neck.

Asesu

Mainly let’s talk about olokun, which is a deity of the religion in question, which is usually related to those intimate secrets that exist in life, but not only in this one, but also in death. This goddess is one who gives prosperity in terms of material things, as well as great health.

The goddess in question is the messenger of the deity mentioned in the preceding paragraph, in addition to this it is said that she herself broke the ties entirely with the planet Earth, but just as there are deities that reign over the river or the ocean, This has power over certain animals, such as geese, swans and ducks.

Just like the main queen Yemayá, this one also lives in water, but in this case in those considered turbulent, such as swamps, sewers or others of this nature.

Another character of this goddess is that her memory is quite short, she tends to forget what she should do, or certain constant elements, in addition to this it is said that when someone asks her for something she is very slow in delivering it.

When sacrifices are given, ducks or geese are usually given, and when this happens at the request of something, count each and every one of the animal’s feathers, and if in…