Yemaya Quotes (2024)

FAQs

What does Yemaya symbolize? ›

Goddess Jemoja, also known as Yemoja or Yemaya, holds deep significance in African and Afro-Caribbean religions. She encompasses various roles and represents significant aspects. Yemaya symbolizes motherhood and nurturing, embodying unconditional love, compassion, and protection.

Olokun. The image above is from the premiere of Arthur Hall's dance of Olokun in July 1996. The hoary Lord of the Undertow represents many things, among them peace and prosperity and the riches that come from the sea. Olokun resides at the ocean's bottom while his wife Yemaya represents the surface.

She's associated with the numbers seven and ten, the colors blue and white, pearls, silver, conch shells, and doves. Offerings for her include molasses, coconut cakes, white flowers, and watermelon.

Yemaya's favorite color is blue. She rules the oceans and all marine creatures, which she loves to eat. She also enjoys watermelon, plantain chips, pork rinds, pineapples, sugar cane syrup and ducks.

She's associated with blue and white, the number seven, pearls, and conch shells, and her offerings include white flowers, white roses, and watermelon. Her domain is not only the ocean, but all water. Wherever there is water, there is Yemayá.

She is the protector of women. She governs everything pertaining to women; parenting, child safety, love, and healing. According to myth, when her waters broke, it caused a great flood creating rivers and streams and the first mortal humans were created from her womb.

As all other santos, Yemayá is also associated with a Catholic saint. As santo of the sea, she is linked to the patron saint of the port of Havana, the Virgen de la Regla. Both are celebrated on 7 September.

CHARACTERISTICS OF YEMAYA'S CHILDREN: YEMAYA'S children are very calm and yet stern. They are willful and powerful but yet serene with very strong maternal principles. They are very family oriented and protective of children. They are very forgiving when offended but the type that will never forget.

Her animal totems are the duck, the vulture, the snake, and the small snail; her sacrificial animals are the ram, the lamb, the duck, the rooster, the goat, the fish, and the pigeon. She is represented in her various shrines in Africa by sacred stones, known as ota, placed in river water in a calabash.

[10] One worshiper of Yemaya tells that pendants for this goddess may be made of shells and specific crystals or gemstones, such as aquamarine, moonstone, pearl, and blue lace agate, among others.

What is the difference between Yemaya and Oshun? ›

Depending on who is speaking, Oshun is thought to be the youngest of the orishas and is known as either the daughter or sister of Yemaya who was considered an older orisha that presided over the rivers as well.

Morgaine explores Yemaya's history and her many forms, including her roles as mother, lover, witch, warrior, and mermaid. He describes her many paths, aspects, and incarnations.

Small boats are let into the sea with gifts such as flowers, fruit or even perfumes, and it is important that the gift comes from the heart. If the boat sinks, the request made to Yemanja will be fulfilled, as she considers the gift worthy. If the boat is washed back to shore, Yemanja has refused the gift.

Olokun is believed to be the parent of Aje, the orisha of great wealth and of the bottom of the ocean. Olokun is revered as the ruler of all bodies of water and for the authority over other water deities. Olokun is highly praised for their ability to give great wealth, health, and prosperity to their followers.

She, and the root of all the paths or manifestations, Olokun is the source of all riches which she freely gives to her little sister Oshún. She dresses herself in seven skirts of blue and white and like the seas and profound lakes she is deep and unknowable.