orishas and egyptian gods

She is This is the list of orisha youll find more information below: Orisha Obatala is also known as Oshala, Orishanla, and Oshaluf. It somehow reminds the method of divination with Runes by the Norse people. Goddesses Archetypes Cards Online Free Oracle Reading, Oracle of Hecate Online Free Oracle Reading, YES or NO Oracle Free and Accurate Online Oracle Reading, The Triple Goddess 101 Manifesting your own magic with her, WHEEL OF THE YEAR and the 8 Sabbats A Full and free guide, 14 Hindu Gods and Goddesses that will make your life better, Orisha: the 12 most powerful Gods from Yoruba Mythology, Yoruba Religion and Mythology - An Introduction, A Brief Overview of Candombl and Umbanda, Orishas and the Balance Between Life and Death for Folklore Thursday, All about the Wheel of the Year and the 8 Sabbats, The Triple Goddess and her manifestations. Osiris festivals symbolically reenacting the gods fate were celebrated annually in various towns throughout ancient Egypt. He is a warrior orisha The heaven realm is the domain of Olorun, a sun god. The first step he took on this realm became known as Ile-Ife (the capital of the Yorubaland). Her other name, Iansa or Ians, means mother to 9 children. Orunmila was impressed! creator of the world and humanity. The number of orishas varies among believers. There, she cried and formed the rivers that flooded the earth and created the oceans. At a specific moment, they got drunk and they started teasing Omulu to get up and dance too. Obatala descended from the sky and flipped the seashell on the water. Obatal is the kindly father of all the orishas and all Oshun is also considered a Mother Goddess and its very common for her worshipers to be known as children of Oshun. done in either world without his permission. Priests were trained to work with multiple orishas instead of being exclusively dedicated to a single one. Obatala created the world, all the living things, and human beings. An Orisha is a God or a Goddess from the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. Just like her mother, shes also calm and tranquil. In the original African belief system from which Santeria originates, there are hundreds of orishas. Some say Shango had 3 wives. This empire has mythical origins related to the last prince of the If kingdom. predynastic and dynastic periods in ancient Egypt. Obatala became albine. Depicted as a falcon or as a man with a falcons head, Horus was a sky god associated with war and hunting. Regarding his trickster nature, Eshu is known for playing tricks, deceiving, and even helping those who ask him for help in doing some inappropriate things. Oduduwa joined with the humans and begat a new bloodline of kings (the Yoruba called him Ooni of Ife, the progenitor of the Yoruba people). above them. drumming, women, song and eating. In the forest. Her number is nine which recalls her title of Yansa or All had to be rebuilt again. Beyer, Catherine. When the pilgrims who traveled to this land entered in conflict with the native beasts that lived on it, the Originators, the heroes that rose among the humans were ascended to gods on faith. Even though he has this nice aspect, Ogun is mainly regarded as an impulsive man who uses violence to get what he wants thats why hes also associated with war! Orisana : the great orisha OBA ba. Id like to remind you that there are more than 400 Orishas out there and different places may highlight others as the main ones. He is also the creator of rainbows and a rainbow can also be the personification of Oshumare. The person salutes the Orishas and talks to them during the session. While some really wanted to be with him, others were only victims of his desires. allowed to witness the creation of the universe by Olorun and bears Olokun presides over this watery abyss, an aquatic realm populated by sea spirits. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. She is also known for the colors of maroon, flowery patterns and nine Osiris, one of Egypts most important deities, was god of the underworld. Osiris, also called Usir, one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt. After a long travel, he went back to the forests, where he lives until today. He calmed down and Oya went back home. So, whenever you make a purchase through an Amazon link on this website, I may earn some commissions. relationship with the orisha of divination, Orunmila. He assigned this to Obatala who created the world and the living beings, including humans. Chinese Yu-huang Shang Ti, the Jade Emperor. All was lost. He never asked a single question. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. He has a warrior side In the New World, these beings are commonly seen as family: they marry each other, give birth to others, and so forth. This dual role was combined with the Egyptian concept of divine kingship: the king at death became Osiris, though the living king was identified with Horus, a god of the sky. And also, everyone who visited Obatala should pay tributes to Eshu when leaving. The origins of Isis are obscure. divination and the accompanying arts. Osiris, one of Egypt's most important deities, was god of the underworld. The exact number of orishas is not known . Now, you. In the original African belief system from which Santeria originates, there are hundreds of orishas. He also demanded that these seven backed yams should be planted in front of everyone. Seven days after, Shangos wife Oya (Ians) traveled to Eshus house to get the medicine. From now on, Ill bring the Orisha list with the 12 most important ones. Theres a story explaining how Ossain become knowledgeable about the power of plants and eventually became a great healer. One day, in the depths of the forest, he eventually meets Ossain who gives him a potion to drink. The challenge, however, WAS a lie itself. The mold was moistened with the water of the Nile and sown with grain. 1630 bce) the gods festivals consisted of processions and nocturnal rites and were celebrated at the temple of Abydos, where Osiris had assimilated the very ancient god of the dead, Khenty-Imentiu. Orunla This land received the name If (large abode). He learned how to impress others with his beauty as a woman and also as a man; he also learned how to scare people as a snake or even as a snake-monster being. According to the myth, Osiris was a king of Egypt who was murdered and dismembered by his brother Seth. The orishas are often best understood by observing the forces of nature Sky Woman: The Overlooked Iroquois Influence on America. Both are fighters who protect their followers. Hes a healer who rules over the forests. During the meeting, Esu took the chance to cause some mischief and told Oshumare that Nan was really guilty for his shapeshifting curse and convinced him to take revenge on her by stealing her crown and becoming the king of the Jeje people. Omulu got happy! Omulu is one of Nan Burukes sons. The two animals started to spread the earth, covering a large area. The Yoruba people thrived in the region of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo in West Africa. numbers four and six. Before Orung could find her, she died and her body created mountains, valleys, and all the ways water could flow to flood the vast land. During the 123 years when the Polish state was absent from the map of Europe, religion played an important role in the preservation of Polish identity both among Poles at home and the many who emigrated, by choice or otherwise. When the smoke disappeared, Obatala noticed his skin color also disappeared. Oshosi is the hunter and the scout of the orishas and assumes In this role, it is not surprising that he has a very close What is very important to know now is that these people shared common beliefs and customs. She proposed a deal: she would retrieve Obatalas white clothes and, in exchange, he would eventually teach her how to use Bzios for divination. Olorun was responsible for having the idea of creating firm land. Olorun had two sons, Obatala and Oduduwa, who helped him develop the features of the Earth. Instead, one of the roles of the priests of Santeria is to apply applicable patakis to the situation at hand. Obatala observed how hard Eshu was working and decided to compensate him. His colors are green and yellow which reflect Elegba (also referred to Eleggua or Eleggu) is the owner of the He ran off with the clothes and left Obatala naked. Wherever he would go, his fame was already there. Forever. Like the volcano, Aganju is noted for his legendary strength and his ability to bring about drastic change. I wont enter in details about each one of them as this is not the focus of this article. His element is water. Among these religions we can highlight three, which are the biggest ones: These religions differ from each other, but their beliefs comprise the Orisha energy and presence. Some of the most important skills were obtained like this: She even enhanced the magical power she learned from Eshu and became able to transform herself into a water buffalo. Other stories tell that Ogum was married to Oya. Osiris, also called Usir, one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt. most often approach to aid us in money matters. As a Yoruba myth explains, back when the world was completely covered with water, Olodumare assigned Obatala with the task of giving shape to the land. She never ate lamb after these occasions. Using these sacred materials, he created fields, forests, hills, and valleys. Anyway, Oshun wanted to learn at all costs, but Obatala always said no to her. They were about to kill him too! The Orisha And The 12 Gods Of Yoruba Mythology. Obatala was enraged at his brother for usurping his position, but he eventually conceded to his Oduduwas divine authority. Even though Umbanda and Candomble seem to be unpopular here, the truth is that we can find many Christians who also believe and worship the Orishas. He taught his followers the secrets of civilization (fire, smithing, hunting, politics, and war). They rule over the forces of nature and the endeavors of humanity. She carries an Ibiri in her hand, which is a tool capable of warding off evil spirits. She recognises herself in the colors yellow and But they cant figure out what animal hes supposed to be. witness to our destinies in the making as well. Orisha Sango wears red clothes and carries two double axes in his hands. He is the most feared of the Orisha. Yoruba mythology involves the presence of the supreme being and other more minor "gods" or "spirits" known as orishas (which are both male and female). From now on, Ochossi was not only able to hunt but also capable of defending himself and others with his bow and arrows. Seths appearance poses a problem for Egyptologists. The god Seth was considered the murderer of Osiris and adversary of Horus. After his death, he was deified as an orisha. Eshu did it differently. the numbers 7 and the colors green and black. As you already know, Ogun is a violent warrior. Its important to note that his behavior can also lead him to unnecessary fights. 12. makes short work of a tree or a fire rage through an area, one has There are stories that explain how he became a hunter, as well as how he started living in the forests. The Sky god finished building the city of Ife and made himself the king of the Yoruba. Omulu is considered to be ugly and Oshumare is the most beautiful being in the world. He stood up using his walking stick and touched each one with it. Olorun agreed and gave Obatala a shell to help fashion this new world. They teased him so much, that he stood up and danced a bit. They may not participate in all the customs, but they do know and praise these Gods too. This changing nature made Oshumare a versatile one. strong-willed orisha that loves all the pleasures of the world: dance, There is no expectation that each community would function exactly alike or understand the orishas in exactly the same way. It is understood that the orishas wear many masks in order for people to better understand them. Through the Table of If He recognises They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. observe the orishas at work in the world and in your own lives you will Ill start with some history, so you can be situated, and then Ill enter the mysterious and magical realm of the Orishas. With her dance, she causes winds and shakes the iruquer, her baton with buffalo (or horse) tail capable of sending eguns away. He is now viewed as a compassionate and humble deity, curing people of sickness and disease. evolve through the form of a fish before becoming a human baby. While he was bathing, Eshu, the trickster, appeared and saw the situation. Her name also is rendered as B'sst, Baast, Ubaste, and Baset. Thoth, the god of writing and wisdom, could be depicted in the form of a baboon or a sacred ibis or as a man with the head of an ibis. He can see into the distant past and the far-flung future, granting him with a profound wisdom. Identity. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. In later periods she was often represented as a regal-looking seated cat, sometimes wearing rings in her ears or nose. Eshu is intrusive and sometimes aggressive. She, and relationship. For some reason, Oshumare was cursed to live as a shapeshifter. Horus was raised to avenge his fathers murder. As such, there is no concern about the literal truth of these tales or the fact that tales my contradict one another. Those who worship him often seek personal empowerment, in order to make themselves better leaders. For example, theres a story in which a king sent a man to trial for making gossip and spreading misinformation inside the kingdom. Because the festivals took place in the open, public participation was permitted, and by the early 2nd millennium bce it had become fashionable to be buried along the processional road at Abydos or to erect a cenotaph there as a representative of the dead. The man asked the king to plant seven baked yams and promised that, in twelve days, all of them would have flourished. The orishas are the emissaries of Olodumare or God almighty. Catholic. She also is the one we This way, Eshu not only became knowledgeable but also rich and prosperous. The curation of this content is at the discretion of the author, and not necessarily reflective of the views of Encyclopaedia Britannica or its editorial staff. Second, they protected her from Shangos fury when she tried the magic powder made by Eshu to Sango (I wrote about it above, in Sangos section). In ancient Greek religion, she was known . All life started in the sea, the amneotic fluid inside the Simply water. The pantheon of Orishas (traditionally followed by the Yoruba people) is a sequence of divine spirits dispatched by the supreme god Olodumare. and female paths. Archaeologists discover 24 new lines at Nazca, DNA Results Show The Elongated Paracas Skulls Are Not Native American, Ancient people knew that the Earth was round 2000 years before Columbus. Everyone got surprised because he was looking handsome. He wears clothes made of straw that cover his whole body and face. He reigned for seven years, constantly waging battle against other nations, bringing prosperity to the Oyo Empire. Finally, there is Eshu, a trickster God, and patron of crossroads. In some traditions, Aganju is seen as the father or brother of Shango, god of thunder and lightning. So we can say West Africa, specifically Nigeria, Benin, and Togo form the place where Yoruba is located. 2023 All Rights Reserved. Thanks! Since Anubis is the god of the dead, his Greek equivalent would be Hades. It is said that Omulu and Osumare are brothers. He is an extremely hot blooded and The gods of the land keep the peace and the people in check. the cemetery. He made some oxen appear on the roofs of cattle sheds. After trials and errors, he finally managed to create human beings who populated the land and worshiped the Orishas as their creators and natural sources of power. Immediately after drinking it, Ochossi loses his memory and from this moment on he started living with Ossain in the depths of the forests. Rather than willfully trying to misguide them, his aim is to enrich their life experience, leading them to a spiritual maturation through their transgressions. He ordered all the sorcerers of the empire to produce some kind of magical potion for him, but all of them failed. As a prize, he took Eshus gourd for him. Theres a story stating about how Nana forbade her children and followers from using knives and metals in general during rituals and ceremonies. Shango returned home. they are of one heart. Today we can find them, alongside branches of their cult and worship practices, outside from Africa. They were originally divine spirits who incarnated as earthly human-like beings and became heroes of their people. Basically, in the beginning, there was only water. The orishas are equated with a variety of Catholic saints. In the Ptolemaic period she came to be associated with the Greek goddess Artemis, the divine hunter and goddess of the moon. Actually, she lives wherever earth meets water and forms mud. orisha rules their head, must go to the river and give account of what If you wish to support me,please use the button below and buy me a ko-fi! Obatala then began to build a city, but after discovering alcohol (brewed from palm leaves) he became distracted from duties. He is most often represented by a double headed Orisha Oshumare is the Orisha related to the rainbow and also to beauty and riches. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Agemo - the chameleon servant of the supreme god Olorun. His son Horus successfully fought against Seth, avenging Osiris and becoming the new king of Egypt. Thanks. Theres another story that tells how Oya became the queen of the dead, being responsible for sending eguns (souls of the dead) to the otherworld. Humans and orishas, however, provide ashe to each other through a variety of rituals. Sometimes these Orishas would go down from the sky using spiderwebs to play in the water. Orunmila's relationship with Osayn (the secrets of the plant He continues going. In the Osiris myth, he is the murderer of Osiris (in some versions of the myth, he tricks Osiris into laying down in a coffin and then seals it shut.). Many people, including Orisha and humans, used to visit Obatalas house. over maternity in our lives as she is the Mother of All. Omissions? Ogun by Eran Fowler This helped the religion to survive. Aganju by Robert Love Sometimes they are depicted as once-mortal figures, often leaders, who were elevated by Olodumare to divinity. She also holds a buffalo (or horse) tail in the other hand symbolizing her power to tame the forces of nature and send eguns and bad energies away. Elegba is always Everything consists of songs, stories, and practices. colors red and black or white and black are his and codify his His reign ended when he inadvertently destroyed his palace with lightning. 4, 2021, learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922. However, a deal was made. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922. In this She can bring destruction and also prepare the soil for a new beginning. Besides this, hes also associated with prosperity and abundance, mainly in the food aspect. And then Ill follow with the female ones, the Orisha Goddesses. He refused. At Memphis the holy bull, Apis, was linked with Osiris, becoming Osiris-Apis, which eventually became the name of the Hellenistic god Serapis. After passing on his secrets and guiding humanity for many years, Ogun grew old. Africa isnt a single place with a single pantheon, and wed be fools to try and cover all that in an eleven minute video. https://www.britannica.com/list/11-egyptian-gods-and-goddesses, largest and most complex pantheons of gods. Never metal ones! He took his clothes off and hang them on a tree. One day, Orung waited for his father to be absent and raped Yemaya. According to the form of the myth reported by the Greek author Plutarch, Osiris was slain or drowned by Seth, who tore the corpse into 14 pieces and flung them over Egypt. Each orisha has its own distinct personality and has a wide variety of strengths, weaknesses, and interests. He also symbolized death, resurrection, and the cycle of Nile floods that Egypt relied on for agricultural fertility. Be sure to check my YouTube Channel and follow me on Twitter too! His element is wind. All the touched ones became severely sick! her children by watching the rivers and streams she rules over and Table of If to Orunmila in exchange for the gift of dance, his Shes also associated with riches, pregnancy, and fertility. He wears light-green and light-blue clothes and he also has the seven colors of the rainbow around him. It was a strange red powder. One powerful talisman of Polish Catholicism. They recognise themselves and are recognised through their different numbers and colors which are their marks, and each has their own favorite foods and other things which they like to receive as offerings and gifts. As such, the orishas came to be regarded as roughly equals as cultures mixed. However, since Osiris, not Anubis, rules the Land of the Dead, a more accurate Greek equivalent to Anubis would be Thanatos. Learn Religions, Mar. his priests unfold the secrets of the universe and the secrets of the All the others laughed at him. Erinle by Mod Nomad After some time, the land was firm enough for the Orishas to walk on it. He can be represented as an old man or as a young one. He is known as the omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba pantheon, whose light brings life and vitality to all living things. uncountable. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. We are also blessed from time to time in the religion with the He was always alone, living alone in one specific party, all the Orishas were together. Orisha Eshu, also known as Esu or Bar is the trickster one and also the most popular Orisha out there. He is a patron of sexual diversity, celebrating lesbian, gay and bisexual people. She is the youngest of Irish Morrigan appears to have been a goddess of battle, strife, and sovereignity, although she was not referred to as a goddess in the mythology. He embodies the power of the sun, essential for the growth. Oduduwa by Jianing Hu Orisha Obatala always wears white clothes. them often to represent her. He saw plants capable of healing different kinds of pain, hemorrhages, fever, and much more. Today its known as Yorubaland. One of several deities associated with the sun, the god Re was usually represented with a human body and the head of a hawk. https://www.learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922 (accessed March 5, 2023). Obatala felt reluctant but eventually agreed with her. Ogn that clears the roads with his machete. way we make our offerings in the manner they are accustomed to, in the Yoruba is no different. No one wanted to dance with him as usual. And,in her It was believed that he sailed across the sky in a boat each day and then made a passage through the underworld each night, during which he would have to defeat the snake god Apopis in order to rise again. People who can play Buzios are actually asking the Orishas for answers. She dresses herself in seven skirts of blue and white and like the seas Some Orishas are worshiped as gods in their own right and they include top names such as Babal Ay, Elegua, Obatala, Ochosi, Ogun, Oya, Shango and Yemaya. This name, meaning Foremost of the Westerners, was adopted by Osiris as an epithet. As the devoted wife who resurrected Osiris after his murder and raised their son, Horus, Isis embodied the traditional Egyptian virtues of a wife and mother. The Orishas: Aganyu, Babalu-Aye, Chango, and Eleggua, The God of Wealth and Other Deities of Prosperity and Money, What Is Mysticism? As I mentioned above, Orishas are worshiped not only in their cradle but also in many other countries around the world. She usually holds a mirror in one hand. Orisha Shango is a warrior whos always ready to fight and protect those who need it. Misc/Uncertain of locality Ikol means Messenger of the House (of Olodumare). It made little sense or practicality for a slave community to focus on a single orisha in that scenario. He is the owner of all Olorun by Sanjana Baijnath (2021, March 4). gain a better understanding of them and their ways. In the region known as Yorubaland (today Nigeria, Benin, and Togo) and variations are found across the globe. Article written by Simon E. Davies, Contributor to Ancient Code. He is ocanani with Elegba, meaning Greco-Roman authors connected Osiris with the god Dionysus. African Pantheons and the Orishas: Crash Course World Mythology #11 CrashCourse 14.5M subscribers 1.2M views 5 years ago World Mythology So, today we're talking about African Pantheons. Osiris was one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt. Ochossi is intuitive and emotional. Shango threw thunderbolts in all directions, killing the rams. In many Nigerian mythologies, it is believed that the gods once walked this earth and even lived . In this story, we have Obatala (the Sky) and Odudua (the primordial earth) this is a similar motif found in many other mythologies such as the story of Gaia and Uranos in Greek Mythology and Nut and Geb and Egyptian Mythology. From this argument, a fight started. The many, many Orishas cover all aspects of life, and can be pretty specialized. He takes an active role in the affairs of both heaven and earth. Immediately, Ogun, even though he was tired, initiates a fight against all the invaders and defeats them all! It is said he was the emperor of Oyo, today Nigeria. babbling brook and the flash flood reflect her changeable moods. Oya is married to Shango, a warrior Orisha who also has fire as an element. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Crash Course is on Patreon! He is envisioned as an extremely wealthy deity, dressed in refined garments, adorned with coral beads and plumage from a hunted game. Ochossi was saved! It is said he punishes all those who lie and deceive others. Role. His youngest son, Obatala, asked if he could create a new realm made of earth. Because the right and left eyes of Horus were associated, respectively, with the sun and the moon, the loss and restoration of Horuss left eye gave a mythical explanation for the phases of the moon. She However, many of their clients are also Catholic, and they understand that such clients better identify with these beings under the guise of the saintly counterparts. Yes, they are He was hiding because invaders had conquered most of the village he lived in and killed lots of people. Ogn out of the forests using her feminine wiles. According to the myth, Osiris was a king of Egypt who was murdered and dismembered by his brother Seth. Eshu accepted the task and said he would produce a kind of medicine capable of granting Shangos wishes. These 12 are the most worshipped in afro-descendant religions such as Umbanda and Candomble in Brazil and they are also popular in Africa as well in Cuban Santeria. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Nut, in Egyptian religion she is a Goddess of the sky, frequently portrayed alongside the African God of the earth, Geb. "Mother of Nine" in which she rules over the egun or dead. Ogun gets worried because he feels like Ochossi needs to know how to defend himself. this reason all who are to be initiated as priests, no matter what In the Greco-Roman period she was identified with the Greek goddess Aphrodite and her cult spread as far west as Great Britain and as far east as Afghanistan. The goddess Isis was the mother of the king and was thus the mother of Horus and consort of Osiris. As you The characteristics of individual gods could be hard to pin down. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. It is said their scars strike fear into their enemy, who see the scars of Kokou as a sign of their potency. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). He lived inside a forest and he would have sexual relations with any woman who entered the woods. A priest could only be dedicated to that single orisha of the city, and that orisha was honored above all others. Ogn is the god of iron, war and labor. As the wife of the god of the underworld, Isis was also one of the main deities concerned with rites for the dead. Many scholars now believe that no such animal ever existed and that the Seth animal is some sort of mythical composite. Instead, it signified the renewal of life both in the next world and through ones descendants on Earth.

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