orishas and egyptian gods

observe the orishas at work in the world and in your own lives you will What is very important to know now is that these people shared common beliefs and customs. Orisha Ossain is the Orisha who rules over the forests. Orunmila was impressed! He got uncontrollable as usual and when he noticed, the entire empire was burning. He never asked a single question. wife of Ogn. Are the Egyptian historical references in Stargate SG-1 based on actual Save it to your Pinterest folders and if you can do support my work by visiting my Ko-Fi page. Over time she grew in importance, though, eventually becoming the most important goddess in the pantheon. Anubis. However, he refused to perform the task because he identified the plants. If you wish to support me,please use the button below and buy me a ko-fi! Olodumare alone is self-sustaining, not needing ashe to be provided by another source. However, a deal was made. So these are the 12 most powerful and important Orishas, Gods from Yoruba Mythology and religions derived from this amazing culture. In particular, Elegba stands at the crossroads of 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. No life existed in this water, though. According to the Osiris myth, Horus was the son of Isis and Osiris, magically conceived after the murder of Osiris by his brother Seth. From simple spells such as offering food to an Orisha (this food is commonly called as eb) to complex rituals like isolating a person during some days so they can be reborn as the son/daughter of an Orisha, we find a variety of customs that can naturally be adopted by modern witchcraft practitioners too. He has a warrior side Today, we refer to these areas as Yorubaland. witness to our destinies in the making as well. After his death, he was deified as an orisha. Eshu stood at a crossroad and stopped everyone on Obatalas behalf. She is Perhaps the most 'popular' of the orishas, Shang rules over Oduduwa by Jianing Hu Differently from the Hindu Religion and Mythology, for example, there are no ancient books telling the foundations of its beliefs or describing the creation of the world according to them. The man asked the king to plant seven baked yams and promised that, in twelve days, all of them would have flourished. 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. Immediately after drinking it, Ochossi loses his memory and from this moment on he started living with Ossain in the depths of the forests. observing that though she always heads toward her sister Yemay When humans die, they must return to her dwelling and become mud again. Madonna. 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. Nut, in Egyptian religion she is a Goddess of the sky, frequently portrayed alongside the African God of the earth, Geb. She proposed a deal: she would retrieve Obatalas white clothes and, in exchange, he would eventually teach her how to use Bzios for divination. Ogn out of the forests using her feminine wiles. He is also the owner of all heads and the mind. In the New World, these beings are commonly seen as family: they marry each other, give birth to others, and so forth. Apart from these religions, its totally common to find witches and Pagans energetically working with these deities too. It says that he initially had nothing. He calmed down and Oya went back home. the cemetery. This way, Ossain was capable of identifying them easily. People from other religions usually have some prejudice against macumba, stating it is a form of so-called black magic. According to the myth, Osiris was a king of Egypt who was murdered and dismembered by his brother Seth. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). In this region, the powerful Oyo Empire flourished. Theres a story stating about how Nana forbade her children and followers from using knives and metals in general during rituals and ceremonies. Ossain started roaming the lands. over maternity in our lives as she is the Mother of All. He has many different stories regarding his deeds and adventures, but Ill briefly write about one of my favorite stories involving him. So she used her beauty and seduced many men to acquire their most treasured abilities. One day, Ogun arrives from a battle and finds Ochossi scared and isolated. Role. The god Seth was considered the murderer of Osiris and adversary of Horus. From about 2000 BCE, it was believed that every man, not just the deceased kings, became associated with Osiris at death. No one wanted to dance with him as usual. Obatala became albine. His priests, the babalawos or "Fathers of the Children are the Fish" to reflect the fact that her children are If youre interested in the religions themselves, I suggest reading the following articles: Though differences will always occur, all the 12 main Orishas Ill present here are mainly worshiped in Umbanda and Candombl. The exact number of orishas is not known . Ochossi is intuitive and emotional. It is believed that depictions of Isis with the infant Horus influenced Christian imagery of Mary with the infant Jesus. Sometimes these Orishas would go down from the sky using spiderwebs to play in the water. His colors are green and yellow which reflect Shango threw thunderbolts in all directions, killing the rams. allowed to witness the creation of the universe by Olorun and bears He ordered all the sorcerers of the empire to produce some kind of magical potion for him, but all of them failed. creator of the world and humanity. Priests were trained to work with multiple orishas instead of being exclusively dedicated to a single one. By about 2400 bce, however, Osiris clearly played a double role: he was both a god of fertility and the embodiment of the dead and resurrected king. Possible Greek/Roman Equivalent (s) Other. Olorun was responsible for having the idea of creating firm land. He is a man, he sometimes becomes a woman, and sometimes he becomes a snake. Crash Course is on Patreon! Sometimes they are depicted as once-mortal figures, often leaders, who were elevated by Olodumare to divinity. One tradition holds that Horus lost his left eye fighting with Seth, but his eye was magically healed by the god Thoth. Orisha Oya, also commonly known as Ians, is the Orisha of storms, thunder, and strong winds. The origin of Osiris is obscure; he was a local god of Busiris, in Lower Egypt, and may have been a personification of chthonic (underworld) fertility. Peacocks and vultures are hers and we use He then shouted: Is the king a king even when he wears no clothes?. Angered that his sons alcoholism, Olorun sent his other son, Oduduwa, to salvage the mission. Instead were going to focus on Yoruba religion from west Africa, and the Orishas that populate Yoruba stories. Eshu was not willing to give them back, but the beauty of Oshun was capable of driving any man or woman crazy. 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. Now, its said that albino people are highly protected by Obatala. The truth is that macumba is a collection of rites and spells that may be performed to attract, banish, bind or release energies, spirits, material goods, and whatever the practitioner desires. The Orishas: Orunla, Osain, Oshun, Oya, and Yemaya - Learn Religions Babal-Ay (originally Shopona) is a healing god. As the people began to reproduce, new lands were required for them to settle. Using these sacred materials, he created fields, forests, hills, and valleys. Most had a principle association (for example, with the sun or the underworld) and form. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. they are of one heart. 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. with quick wits, quick temper and is the epitomy of virility. Oya hid below the dead rams and managed to escape Shangos wrath. Olorun had two sons, Obatala and Oduduwa, who helped him develop the features of the Earth. "The Orishas." The heaven realm is the domain of Olorun, a sun god. The two became friends and Aroni shared with Ossain all the secrets related to herbs, plants, and flowers. heals with her sweet waters and with honey which she also owns. Living humans were the third category, and the most There was no taste at all. Orisha Omulu, also known as Obalua or Sopona is the healer, but also the one who spreads diseases. Oy on Earth for a time. One day, Orung waited for his father to be absent and raped Yemaya. This name, meaning Foremost of the Westerners, was adopted by Osiris as an epithet. greatness of this king, all in the religion raise up on the toes of our From her death, many Orisha children were born (now comes the conflicting information): I said there is conflicting information because there are several stories that suggest Yemaya, Oshun, and Oya are sisters too. We also have lots of syncretism involved which contributed to the spread of their worship inside Christian beliefs too. One day she simply decided she wanted to learn the art of divination using Bzios (the divination tool I mention at the beginning of this article), but this art could not be taught to her. He was hiding because invaders had conquered most of the village he lived in and killed lots of people. He is said to live in the forest with his Orisha brothers part of the time. He reigned for seven years, constantly waging battle against other nations, bringing prosperity to the Oyo Empire. They were originally divine spirits who incarnated as earthly human-like beings and became heroes of their people. Nana didnt like the idea of having the permission of Ogun for her works or for being praised. Shango noticed she had taken the medicine and he got mad at her. Shango, the impulsive, only had a stone. She, and Hes a healer who rules over the forests. Olodumare Eshu is intrusive and sometimes aggressive. In addition, the Ifa Oracle also applies the same underlying principle in conceiving of the Orisha Deities not as actual Physical Gods, but as mere expressions of the Cosmic forces of Nature in the Moral and Physical planes of the Universe like Thought, Creation, Karma, Justice, Will, and Fertility in the same way as the Deities of Ancient Kemet . He is known as the omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba pantheon, whose light brings life and vitality to all living things. I hope you could get a clearer picture of them and now youre able to familiarise yourself with these forces. way they have always received them, so that they will recognise our Whenever he was in love with someone, he would become a monster and lose his lover. Greco-Roman authors connected Osiris with the god Dionysus. with Oy and Oshn. He takes an active role in the affairs of both heaven and earth. Mustatils in Saudi Arabia: Gates for Animal Sacrifice to Unknown Gods? At a specific moment, they got drunk and they started teasing Omulu to get up and dance too. different colors. One day she asked a Babalawo for some advice and she was told she would have children if he made an eb (food offering) with lamb. He takes an active role in the affairs of both heaven and earth. Updates? From here on, every offering dedicated to Obatala should be delivered at the crossroad to Eshu. He was believed to have invented language and the hieroglyphic script and to serve as a scribe and adviser for the gods. Both are fighters who protect their followers. Obatala noticed Eshu but I was too late. This man proposed a challenge to the king to prove he was no lier. In Africa, however, there was no such familiarity between orishas, in part because their followers were not strongly connected. The rest of the population follows Catholicism, Protestantism, Spiritism, or no religion at all. Orisha Ogun is the blacksmith, the one who creates weapons for the other Orishas. And, of course, he got mad. Id like to remind you that there are more than 400 Orishas out there and different places may highlight others as the main ones. Yemaya found, healed, and adopted him. According to the griot spirits of the Djalia, the Orisha originated during immemorial times in the land that would become Wakanda. All the others laughed at him. Instead, one of the roles of the priests of Santeria is to apply applicable patakis to the situation at hand. At Memphis the holy bull, Apis, was linked with Osiris, becoming Osiris-Apis, which eventually became the name of the Hellenistic god Serapis. The Orisha And The 12 Gods Of Yoruba Mythology. Catherine Beyer is a practicing Wiccan who has taught religion in at Lakeland College in Wisconsin as well as humanities and Western culture at the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay. Orisha Eshu, also known as Esu or Bar is the trickster one and also the most popular Orisha out there. Ogun created many things that helped mankind to flourish. propitiated and always called first before any other orisha as he opens world) and with Oshn, who is his apetev with whom he 12. Obatal is also the only orisha that has both male However, it was not enough to make him free of problems or curses. Ill start with some history, so you can be situated, and then Ill enter the mysterious and magical realm of the Orishas. She asked what had happened and he told her how Eshu had tricked him. She was the one who gave mud to Obatala when he was creating humans. ALA baniase: He who gives fourth and takes This name given for his great powers. Osiris festivals symbolically reenacting the gods fate were celebrated annually in various towns throughout Egypt. He didnt need them. 4 In the light of the foregoing; the present study would attempt to explore these religio- . though through which he enforces justice in the world. These supernatural entities usually referred to as deities are actually emanations or avatars of the supreme being Olodumare. Obatala descended from the sky and flipped the seashell on the water. 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. In the original African belief system from which Santeria originates, there are hundreds of orishas. Anyway, Oshun wanted to learn at all costs, but Obatala always said no to her. 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. In the Old Kingdom (c. 25752130 BCE), before Osiris rose to prominence as the lord of the underworld, Anubis was considered the principal god of the dead. All metals and weapons belong to Ogun, the blacksmith Orisha. Now, you might say, thats ridiculous. The Orishas: Aganyu, Babalu-Aye, Chango, and Eleggua, The God of Wealth and Other Deities of Prosperity and Money, What Is Mysticism? Slavic Svarog, Possibly god of celestial fire and blacksmithing. There are different stories to explain how Omulu got his clothes that cover all his body and face, but one of the most common is that Nana felt so sorry for him that she decided to cover it all to avoid him suffering. Obatala created the world, all the living things, and human beings. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Osiris was one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt. She also rules He wears light green and blue clothes. He is most often represented by a double headed Orisha Obatala always wears white clothes. 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). she is the queen of witches carrying within her deep and dark secrets. He is married to Obba but has relations This way, Eshu not only became knowledgeable but also rich and prosperous. Erinle is a wilderness god, associated with hunting, herbalism and animal husbandry. She became Oya Ibale, the queen of the dead. Obatala felt reluctant but eventually agreed with her. In his early days, he was very hostile, inflicting disease upon those who transgressed him. His son Horus successfully fought against Seth, avenging Osiris and becoming the new king of Egypt. https://www.learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922 (accessed March 5, 2023). He is often depicted as an animal or as a human with the head of an animal. A central feature of the festivals during the late period was the construction of the Osiris garden, a mold in the shape of Osiris, filled with soil. Since Anubis is the god of the dead, his Greek equivalent would be Hades. As Elegba opens the roads, it is The two animals started to spread the earth, covering a large area. this reason all who are to be initiated as priests, no matter what Sky Woman: The Overlooked Iroquois Influence on America. In order to do so, Ossain should remove the native plants. People asked him to calm down and forgive Oya. Olorun sent them Ogun, god of crafts, to find a suitable habitat. most often approach to aid us in money matters. Though a specific number can't be placed on the amount of Orishas, there is an exciting notion around it. Ochossi was saved! Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922. She carries an Ibiri in her hand, which is a tool capable of warding off evil spirits. done in either world without his permission. Rituals invoking his spirit require the rapid beating of drums, which often cause his followers to fall into a deep trance. He wore metal armor and he had weapons in his hands. axe. Eshu did it differently. The many, many Orishas cover all aspects of life, and can be pretty specialized. As master of the deep, he has a great insight into the mysteries of nature. the female orishas but retains the title of Iyalode or great queen. Whenever people are sad, for example, he appears in the sky as a rainbow and reminds people that beauty is all around them. Also observe how the As a prize, he took Eshus gourd for him. Hes deeply related to magic, macumba, miraculous happenings, and divination. Definition and Examples, Haile Selassie Biography: Ethiopian Emperor and Rastafari Messiah, M.A., History, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. In a sense, all offerings and rituals were made using these metals, so all of them needed Oguns permission to be carried on. Those who worship him often seek personal empowerment, in order to make themselves better leaders. If you enjoyed this article, please share it with people who may also find it interesting. unfolding of our lives. Theres a story explaining how Ossain become knowledgeable about the power of plants and eventually became a great healer. Aganju by Robert Love In her earliest forms, the cat goddess Bastet was represented as a woman with the head of a lion or a wild cat. The gods of the land keep the peace and the people in check. It says she wanted to become powerful and stronger than men. (2021, March 4). In the forest. He did so and the king offered him lots of riches. People who were watching suggested Eshu could make use of his magical power to beat Obatala. He embodies the power of the sun, essential for the growth. Kokou is a warrior god, renowned for his violence and ferocity. Egyptian and Greek God Comparisons | Riordan Wiki | Fandom This dual role was in turn combined with the Egyptian concept of divine kingship: the king at death became Osiris, god of the underworld; and the dead kings son, the living king, was identified with Horus, a god of the sky. Now, you. He decides to enter the forest and look for his brother. Osiris, one of Egypt's most important deities, was god of the underworld. Eshu did it. He is the owner of all From this moment on, whenever Orunmila was asked to help people with divination, he would also ask Ossain to prescribe herbs for healing. Osiris was not only the ruler of the dead but also the power that granted all life from the underworld, from vegetation to the annual flood of the Nile River. He stood up using his walking stick and touched each one with it. Luckily, Obatala exiled him to the wilderness, where he has lived as an outcast. She is also known for the colors of maroon, flowery patterns and nine The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. . The orishas are the emissaries of Olodumare or God almighty. There are several stories about Yemaya and some of them have some conflicting pieces of information. If you wish to support me,please use the button below and buy me a ko-fi! New World Santeria believers, on the other hand, generally only work with a handful of them. Besides his apparent ugliness, Omulu also had many skin diseases, including smallpox which contributed to his ugly appearance. One day, Obatala decided to bathe in a river. Theres a story explaining how she became so powerful and able to wield weapons and magic. Oshun, who was passing by, found a naked and ashamed Obatala by the river. ORISHAS - the Yoruba Spirits of Many Things (Yoruba mythology) - Godchecker When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. In his fully animal form, he has a thin doglike body and a straight tail with a tuft on the end. People would wait for him to heal them. children have an innate ability for divination. In her path of Okutti Olorun eventually forgave his son and gave Obatala the responsibility of creating the human race (which he brought into being via his breath of life). Warriors, and is received along with Elegba, Ogn and Osun in The patakis, or stories of the orishas, are not standardized and are frequently contradictory. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Orisha Oshumare is calm and tranquil. The Orisha began to lose patience with him, especially when he tried to infect them with smallpox after they laughed at his deplorable dancing skills. While some really wanted to be with him, others were only victims of his desires. OBATALA - The Yoruba Religious Concepts - Google The 5 Most Influential Orishas - Nigeria and World News Beyer, Catherine. evolve through the form of a fish before becoming a human baby. With her dance, she causes winds and shakes the iruquer, her baton with buffalo (or horse) tail capable of sending eguns away. The female Orishas, Yemaya, Nan Buruku, and Oshun, are commonly associated with the Divine Feminine and can be considered different aspects of the Triple Goddess. A central feature was the construction of the Osiris garden.. He is the repository of ash. He is known as the omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba pantheon, whose light brings life and vitality to all living things. She uses this transformation to attack those who threaten her children and the ones she protects. Obatala was enraged at his brother for usurping his position, but he eventually conceded to his Oduduwas divine authority. Through the Table of If Seth was the god of chaos, violence, deserts, and storms. List of Popular Orishas (Yoruba) - Symbol Sage 4, 2021, learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922. He is an extremely hot blooded and He was also the embodiment of the divine kingship, and in some eras the reigning king was considered to be a manifestation of Horus. He taught his followers the secrets of civilization (fire, smithing, hunting, politics, and war). Were going to focus on a dozen or so. When the smoke disappeared, Obatala noticed his skin color also disappeared. He just observed how Obatala used to work, how he used to create humans from clay. Anyway, Orisha Omulu used to be a quiet one. Ill start with the male ones, the Orisha Gods as we can call them. 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. In some traditions, she would welcome the setting sun every night; living people hoped to be welcomed into the afterlife in the same way. From now on, it was decided that everyone who wanted to make an offering to Obatala should also pay tributes to Eshu. One powerful talisman of Polish Catholicism. In this She never ate lamb after these occasions. They rule over the forces of nature and the endeavors of humanity. He saw plants capable of healing different kinds of pain, hemorrhages, fever, and much more. He wears light-green and light-blue clothes and he also has the seven colors of the rainbow around him. her children by watching the rivers and streams she rules over and Seven days after, Shangos wife Oya (Ians) traveled to Eshus house to get the medicine. the numbers 7 and the colors green and black. Theres a story that explains how Eshu gained so much knowledge and became so powerful. Shes usually considered Yemayas sister, but some tales also describe her as Yemayas daughter. Depicted as a falcon or as a man with a falcons head, Horus was a sky god associated with war and hunting. Essentially, Orishas represent the powers of nature, as well as time, life, death, and rebirth. Youd be right. Orisha Omulu is quiet and vengeful. Learn Religions. One of several deities associated with the sun, the god Re was usually represented with a human body and the head of a hawk. One day he reached Obatalas house. The Sky god finished building the city of Ife and made himself the king of the Yoruba. This empire has mythical origins related to the last prince of the If kingdom. Thanks. Aganju and Yemaya have a child called Orung. Oshosi is the hunter and the scout of the orishas and assumes They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Ochossi and Ogun are brothers. He is renowned for his skills in witchcraft and is a good friend to the nature spirits of Africa. Black Gods In The 21st Century: A Cautionary Tale About Folks Though it was In the end, all those who wish to offer something to Nana must use wooden tools. The next step was the creation of all life. Horus was raised to avenge his fathers murder. The Orishas - Indiana University Bloomington lightning, thunder, fire, the drums and dance. Bastet - Wikipedia 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. Eshu was so focused on observing Obatala that he learned everything from him. In the region known as Yorubaland (today Nigeria, Benin, and Togo) and variations are found across the globe. Oya married Shango and lived with him in his palace in Oyo. The goddess Hathor was usually depicted as a cow, as a woman with the head of a cow, or as a woman with cows ears. Wherever he would go, his fame was already there.