Yemaja

Iemanjá, Yemayá ( Yemoja, Yemanjá, Iemoja ) is in the religion of the Yoruba, in Cuban Santeria and Brazilian Candomble in the goddess ( Orisha / Orixá ) of the sea and of motherhood.

In Nigeria, it is a river goddess in Ogun State in Nigeria, but represents in Brazil the salt water of the sea and is often depicted iconographically as a mermaid.

She is the mother of all mankind, as Oba guardian of the home and patron saint of sailors. Great festivities in her honor are celebrated in Brazil on the sea beach. To thank her, to judge wishes to them or to pay homage to her, traditional flowers, perfumes or other small gifts to be given to the sea in Brazil. Either one trusts the gifts on the sea shore the waves, or you can take the boat out and puts it into the water.

The literal translation of its name comes from the Yoruba yeye omo eja, meaning mother of the fish '. Other names are Dandalunda and Panda.

In Ifá oracle of Ife (Ile- Ife ), which can be identified by Shell throwing in Brazil, it shows through the game Merindilogun by the Õdus Ejibe and Ossa.

Yemayá is considered one of the most important Orishas in Cuba.

Legends

As Moon and goddess of the sea, as in the legend Iemanjá rescues the sun is delivered before the extinction, it is associated with the tide, and stands as a guardian of the heads in connection with the inner balance of the people.

Because she is the mother of all other Orixás, they symbolized in to motherhood, compassion, protector gestures towards others, generosity, sincerity and strength, and as her husband Oxalá very family oriented. You but to reduce the activities of a housewife and mother, would be fatal, as it heals the legend Iemanjá Oxalá and receives power over the heads reported as follows:

"So Iemanjá went to Oxala house and took care of everything: the household, the children, the food, the husband of everything. Iemanjá did nothing but work and complain. If everyone had a task in the world, for which they were victims and respect, why should she stay home like a slave? Iemanjá did not yield. "

As they talked so much with her husband Oxalá, he was crazy. Iemanjá had to heal him, and thus became the guardian of the heads.

Iemanjá is married to Oxalá and is the mother of Oxossi.

Icon

Your day is Saturday, her colors with the light blue and white, their metal is silver, what their consecrated people like to wear in their clothing or jewelry.

Their attributes are fish and a hand mirror named Abebe.

Appearance

The her devotees, the so-called sons and daughters ( bras: Filhas -e filhos -de- santo ) of Iemanjá mimic dancing in a trance state in a Brazilian Candomblé house with their hands, the waves of water. You cry a lot and are excellent psychologists.

Who misunderstands her generosity and provoked her devotees must reckon with their anger, for example, in the legend Iemanjá avenges her son and destroyed the first man is told.