Everyone has heard of the Greek gods, Zeus, Aphrodite, Poseidon, and others, but there is also the Yoruba Orishas. This is a religion that can be traced back to Africa and due to the Atlantic Slave Trade, the Orishas are also relevant in Latin America. So what are the Orishas? Just as the Greek gods, the Orishas are seen as the intermediaries between the supernatural and humankind. Here is a list of 20 Orishas and what they represent.
1. Olorun
The Chief God and the Supreme Creator.
2. Yemoja
Patron deity of women and the mother goddess.
3. Obtala
Deity of humankind, spiritual purity, and moral uprightness.
4. Oshun
Goddess of beauty, love, fertility, and divinity of rivers.
5. Ibeji
Sacred twins; Gods of youth and vitality.
6. Obba
Goddess of Domesticity and Marriage (also the daughter of Yamoja).
7. Eshu
God of communication; messenger between the spiritual and material world.
8. Ori
God of spiritual intuition and destiny.
9. Oxosi
God of scouting and hunting; deity of the accused and those seeking justice.
10. Oko
God of agriculture and harvest.
11. Olokun
God of the deep ocean, the abyss, and represents unfathomable wisdom.
12. Agaya
God of volcanoes and deserts; father of Shango.
13. Oya
Warrior-spirit of the wind, lightning, fertility, fire and magic. It is believed that she creates hurricanes and tornadoes, and serves as guardian of the underworld.
14. Orunmila
God of wisdom, divination, and foresight.
15. Babalu Aye
God of illness and sickness.
16. Oshumare
God of direct movement and rainbow serpent, guardian of children, controller of the umbilical cord, and lord of elongated things.
17. Ogun
God of iron, tools and weapons. He is a fierce warrior and protective father.
18. Erinle
God of physical health and wellness; medical physician to the gods.
19. Ozain
God of the forest natural healer and guardian of herbs.
20. Shango
God of fire, virility, masculinity, and lightening. Shango is the Orisha of the thunderbolt, said to have ruled in ancient times over the kingdom of Oyo.
If you are intrigued by the list of Orishas there is more to the story, literally. There is also a storyline within the religion that is very interesting that you should also check out.
