Yewá or Ewá? | Orisha of Beauty | History and Features

Orisha of the sixth sense and clairvoyance, the presence of Yewá it is stronger and more traditional in Candomblé than in Umbanda. Its main strength is believed to originate from Nigeria, where there is a river named after it.

Yewá also symbolizes sensuality, despite never having given herself to any man. Because she kept herself chaste, she ended up becoming the protector of everything that is considered virgin and pure, from what concerns human beings to forests and rivers.

About Yewá – The warrior Orisha with a firm word!

Daughter of Oxalá and Nanã, Yewá is the sister of Oxumaré and Obaluaiê. She is considered a warrior of firm word, there is no one who can make the Orisha change her mind about what she said or decided. Her main objective and work is with the protection of those who are pure and true in heart.

Because she is chaste and pure, they believe she is a naive Orisha. But whoever thinks that is wrong. In fact, Yewá is quite smart and it is not advisable to arouse her wrath. It is believed that those who challenge it become lost in life, never able to find their way again.

Ruler of fog and mists, she is a warrior and wise woman. Her legends show that she is not afraid of death and that she has deceived her countless times. In addition, she usually stays in cemetery regions, because there she feels true peace and manages to stay away from Ifá and Xangô.

Understand everything about Yewá

Yewá is often confused with her brother Oxumaré, as the two are responsible for the energy of the rainbow. For this reason, both are often worshiped together. In addition, both have the serpent as a symbol, hers being in a smaller proportion.

Tradition also shows that Yewá performs only for children of female saints. The main symbols that accompany it are the Ofa, the harpoon, the snake and the lyre. The colors linked to Orixá are feminine tones such as coral, pink and bright red. His day of the week is Tuesday and his greeting is “Ri Rô Ewá!”.

Yewá and syncretism with Santa Luzia

In religious syncretism, Orixá is related to Santa Luzia, patron saint of ophthalmologists and those with vision problems. With commemorations held on the same day, December 13, the two religious figures have the power of clairvoyance.

Furthermore, like Yewá, the Catholic entity chose not to get married and to dedicate his life to what he believed in – faith in God. They are also connected by being able to see the best paths for souls, looking far beyond the physical and focusing on the spirits.

The history of Santa Lucia

According to Catholic tradition, the story of the Saint begins with her mother. Of Italian origin, Luzia met the faith with her mother who was a very sick woman and suffered from hemorrhage. In search of a cure, they left for the tomb of Saint Agatha in search of help and cure for the mother to survive.

As soon as they arrived at the tomb, Santa Agata appeared to Luzia and revealed that she herself had the power to heal her mother. Thrilled by the miracle that had happened, the young woman decided to dedicate her life to God. For this, she took a vow of chastity and fidelity to Jesus and gave her marriage dowry, a significant amount of money, to the poor.

Her mother agreed and supported the attitude, however, not everyone was happy with the young woman’s decision. She already had a suitor for marriage who did not conform to Luzia’s decision and denounced her to the governor with the accusation that she was a Christian. He did this, as the emperor had issued a decree authorizing the punishment of Christians in the region.

Upon receiving the news, the governor was furious and ordered his men to kill her on the spot. So, the executioners boiled resin and oil to throw on Luzia and that was done, however, nothing happened to the woman. She was so powerful that they couldn’t kill her.

The martyrdom continued and, finally, Luzia’s eyes were torn out. It was from there that the devotion to Saint as protector of the eyes emerged. Her death took place on December 13, 304 and, as a form of tribute, the Christians of Syracuse built a temple in her name and elected her as patroness of the city.

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