Panteon Of The Yoruba Religion

Santeria

Altars Of The Santeria Religion

Canastillero De Santos Orishas

Obatala Ochanla (Our Lady Of Mercy) - Purity and Peace

Ruler Of All Minds And Heads

          Obatala is the head of all the orishas. He has 24 paths. He is seen as peace and purity and as the creator of mankind. He also represents fatherhood and creativity. Obatala owns all white substances, as well as silver and platinum. It is said he rules over all the bones of the body and the brain, which he created. His color is white, which is used in his beads. Children of Obatala are said to be strong willed, stubborn and determined. Usually quiet and peaceful. They are also said to be very intelligent and have a gift for politics. They are very patient and know how to wait for something they want. They are slow to anger, but when they lose there temper they explode very violently.

The Warriors

Eleggua (Infant Atocha) - Master Of All Paths 

Oggun (Saint Peter) - War, Life in Motion

Ochosi Osun (Saint Noberto) - Justice

Eleggua 

                Eleggua is the opener of all doors and the messenger of all the orishas. He owns the keys to all doors. Evil as well as good. It is said he takes pleasure in creating compromising situations and trouble between people. He can equally be both cruel and generous, and is said to be very unexpected in his actions. Although at times he may seem to be a master of deceit and bringer of misfortune, he is justified for he he alone see things that are hidden from humanity and all the other orishas. Eleggua always comes first and last. Elegguas colors are red and black also used in his neclace. Children of Eleggua are identifed as someone with mischievous tendencies, good humor and kind, someone fond of playing jokes. Also it can be said they are a master lies and a great arbiter of truth. Very intelligent but sometimes unscrupulous and easily given up to intrugue.

Oggun

          Oggun represents hard work and human effort. He is also a symbol of violence, brute force and raw energy. He is  a divine iron worker who works eternally without rest. It is also said he represents all minerals and metals, especially iron. It is through Oggun that work created from tools is made possible. His colors are green and black also used in his neclace. Children of Oggun are said to have violent tempers and always ready to start an argument. They are also at the mercy of their lower instincts, which can be brutal and destructive. However on the other side they are very hard working people and can be "workaholics", who use work as an escape to get away from life. Surgeons, engineers, policemen, and farmers are said to be under the influence of Oggun.

Ochosi Osun

        Ochosi is the divine hunter and is a representation of both divine and human justice. He always works in conjunction with Oggun and together they symbolize balanced justice, the destruction of the obsolete and the creation of new avenues of life. His hunting skills are devoted to the search of the most perfect and beautiful creatures, so that they can be presented to the creator. A crossbow and everything related to hunting is used in representing Ochosi. His colors are Violet, red, green, and blue. Ochosi rules over all court cases and all situations where justice is involved. He also rules over jails, judges and all lawyers. Children of Ochosi are quickwitted and clever. Always alert and full of initiative. They are fond of family life, yet they crave change and exitement. They are Basically honest and set in there principles. Ambitious and love to take chances.

Shango Cabio Sile (Saint Barbara) - Fire Thunder And Lighting 

    Shango is the most popular orisha and seen as the symbol of fire, thunder, and lightning. He is the embodiment of passion, virility, and raw power. He also symbolizes dancing, war, and all the virtues and imperfections of human nature. He is noble, hard working, courageous and a staunch friend. However he can be quarrelsome, boastful, a womanizer, gambler and a cosummate liar. His colors are red and white also used in his neclace. Children of Shango are energetic, passionate, of unusual bright intelligence, proud and arrogant. They can not stand to have opposition to their ideas and prone to violent explosions of anger. His children are also extremely generous and will very easily part with their possessions in order to help someon. They are highly creative and always leave a long lasting impressions on all the people who meet them.

Yemeya (Our Lady Of Ruler) - Goddess Of The Ocean

And Mother Of All

       Yemeya is seen as the ocean waters and the mother of all. She is the giver of all life and sustains the world. Through her all things are possible. Without her there is only death and destruction. Yemeya rules over everything that is connected to the sea. She is the patron of sailors and fishermen and protects those against drownings. Yemeya also rules over all women and all their affairs. Her colors are blue and white. Children of Yemeya are very strong, severe and willful. They are serious and maternal (even in the men). Family minded and protective over the young. Her children may be very forgiving but never forget the offense. They are also very fond of luxuries and the finer things in life.

Ochun (Our Lady Of Charity)

Goddess Of Rivers, The Owner Of Gold  

     Ochun is the orisha of river waters and also the embodiment of love and sexuality. She represents the joy of life and is what makes life worth living for. She is the patron of gold and all wealth is hers to give. She also rules over marriage and is the giver of fertility. She is gentle and loving teaches humanity the secrets of life and love. Her colors are yellow, coral and aguamarine. Children of Ochun are very charming and pleasant people, who love music, dancing, and the arts. They are very fond of pleasures, extremely sensuous, but are very careful of public opinion which is very important to them. They Love jewelry and fine clothes, expensive perfumes and good wines. They can be determined, stubborn and intent on social climbing which they are very good at.       

Oya Yansan (Virgin Candelaria) - Caretaker Of The Cemetery And Iku

         Oya is seen as the guardian of the gates of death which is why she is also known as the owner of the cemetery. She is not death itself but one who receives the souls of the dead and opens the astral doors for them. She is also represented as the thunderbolt, fire and wind. She is the embodiment of all types of turbulence and creates tempests, hurricanes and tornadoes when she is enraged. She may be seen as all the unleashed violence of nature and the destruction it leaves behind. Through this violence she may or may not bring death to humankind. She is also seen as the very air we breath and therefore is also seen and the seed of both life and death. Her main color is wine. Children of Oya are very violent quarrelsome people, who can be very authoritive with sensual temperaments. Jealous and demanding, yet very faithful. However once there affections go astray they will engage in extra marital affairs.

Babaluaiye ( Saint Lazarus) - Patron Of All Ailments

Asoano

         Babaluaiye is a title that means "father of the world". He is perceived as the personification of all epidemics - leprosy, skin diseases, syphilis, ulcers, paralysis, and all types of infirmities. It is also said the epidemic AIDS has been connected with this orisha. He is a symbol of death and illness as well as the cure for all ailments. It is believed that he not only cures illnesses but can cause them as well. His color is royal purple. Babaluaiye is identified with people who have broken or missing limbs, derelicts and beggars. Also with those who have been abandoned and forgotten by society. He teaches a lesson of humility and compassion along with social responsibility to those less fortunate than ourselves. He is always tugging at the humanity's conscience and will punish with an unexpected and unexplainable illness.

This Is African Drummers in Both Religions. Santeria and Palo Monte Mayombe

All these are authentic pictures of the Omo Orisha Oba Ochun Alamace. There are more authentic pictures of the altar of the Yoruba Religion Santeria.

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