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Echu / Esu / ElegguaEchu is one of the most significant Òrìshás within both the Lukumi and traditional Yoruba faiths. He embodies opportunity, the crossroads, and the opening and closing of all paths and doors. Echu serves as the primary messenger of Olofin. He is honored before any other Òrìshá, as without his blessing and approval, messages cannot be delivered to Olodumare. Within Lukumi, Echu is often perceived as a small boy and a trickster figure, representing dualities of good and evil. He is also regarded as a warrior Òrìshá and is brother to Òrìshás Oggun and Ochosi. Echu’s natural element is the stone, where his spirit resides. He is traditionally represented by a stone or a stone encased in cement, adorned with cowry shells for eyes, mouth, ears, and nose. His colors are red and black, his number is three, his day of the week is Monday, and his feast day is June 13th. Echu favors offerings such as candy, sweet pastries, toasted corn, dried jutia, toys, rum, palm oil, and tobacco, among others. He is synchronized with the Holy Child of Atocha.

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Oggun / Ogun

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Oggun is the Òrìshá of war, iron, and all metals. A forest deity, he dwells deep within the jungle and only emerges to assist humanity when needed. Oggun taught mankind the arts of smelting iron, forging tools, and self-defense. He is the patron of all who work with metal, including surgeons, blacksmiths, welders, and construction workers. Oggun represents technology, industry, and innovation. He symbolizes the strength in the human fist, the beating heart, and the bones of the body. His natural element is iron, and within Lukumi, he is represented by an iron cauldron containing seven iron tools. Oggun is brother to the forest Òrìshás Echu and Ochosi. His numbers are three and seven; his colors are green and black. His day of the week is Tuesday, and his feast day is June 29th. Offerings favored by Oggun include rum, tobacco, toasted corn, dried jutia, palm oil, yams, raw meat, salt, coconut, and sugar cane. He is synchronized with St. Peter.

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Ochosi

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Ochosi, like Oggun and Echu, is a warrior Òrìshá residing deep in the forest. He is the great hunter, provider, magician, sorcerer, and healer. Ochosi taught mankind the skills of hunting and self-sustenance. He is brother to Oggun, father to Logun Ede, and son of Odde. In Lukumi, Ochosi is symbolized by the bow and arrow. His numbers are three and seven, his days of worship are Tuesday and Wednesday, and his feast day is June 6th. He is synchronized with St. Norbert.

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Osun/Ozun

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Osun is primarily an Ifá Òrìshá and is the domain of the Babalawos. He serves as the caretaker of the inner spirit in man, facilitating communication with the Ori (inner spiritual head) and maintaining equilibrium. Osun acts as the messenger of Obatala and Olofin, warning his recipients of impending danger. In traditional Ifá practice, only Babalawos may receive and worship Osun. Within Lukumi, Osun has a role in everyone’s life. His representation is a metal staff adorned with a rooster and small chains ending in bells, resting on a metal plate symbolizing the Opon Ifá (divination tray) of Orunmila. The base represents stability in the world. Osun’s number is eight, his color is white, and he does not have an Eleke (collar).

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Obatala

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Obatala, the King of Purity, is regarded as the father of all humans on earth. He is the creator of mankind and represents the human body, particularly the Ori (head) and the thought process. Obatala embodies purity, peace, patience, and all things white, including white metals. As the owner of all heads, every person is born a child of Obatala until they mature and seek Ifá to identify their guardian Òrìshá. Obatala’s color is white, his number is eight, and his feast day is September 24th. He is synchronized with Our Lady of Mercy.

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Yemaya / Yemoja

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Yemaya, known as the Mother of Fish, is regarded as the mother of all children and many Òrìshás. In Lukumi, Yemaya symbolizes the ocean’s waves and the abundant uppermost sea. Her feast day is September 7th, her colors range through shades of blue, and her number is seven. Yemaya is synchronized with Our Lady of Regla.

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Ochun / Oshun

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Ochun is the Òrìshá of love, sensuality, seduction, refinement, femininity, and fertility. She is depicted as an extraordinarily beautiful woman adorned with jewelry and gold, characterized by a joyful and captivating personality. Her natural element is the sweet waters of the river where she resides. Ochun was the second wife and favorite concubine of Òrìshá Chango and served as Apetebi to Orula. Her number is five, her color is yellow and its variations, and her feast day is September 8th. She is synchronized with Our Lady of Charity.

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Chango / Shango / Sango

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Chango is a warrior Òrìshá, the fourth Alafin (king) of Oyo, and considered the king of both Lukumi and traditional Yoruba faiths. He represents strength, passion, wealth, thunder, lightning, and fire. Chango is portrayed as a tall, charismatic man, renowned as a ladies’ man, skilled dancer, and romantic figure. He was married to Obba, Ochun, and Oya. Chango’s colors are red and white, his day of worship is Saturday, his feast day is December 4th, and his number is six. He is synchronized with St. Barbara.

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Orunmila / Orula

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Orunmila is the Òrìshá of divination and the supreme Oracle in both Lukumi and traditional Yoruba faiths. He is second only to Olodumare in importance. Orunmila witnessed the organization of the universe by Olodumare and assisted Obatala in the creation of mankind. He is the seer of destiny (Eleri Ipin), knowing the fate of all individuals. Those who disregard Orunmila’s guidance face the consequences enforced by Echu. Orunmila represents knowledge, wisdom, and intelligence. His priests, known as Babalawos, undergo extensive study to master divination. Sent by Olodumare to bring order and insight to the world, Orunmila’s colors are green and yellow, his numbers are two or sixteen, and his feast day is October 4th. He is synchronized with St. Francis of Assisi.

Olokun

Olokun, the Owner of the Ocean, is a female Òrìshá who dwells in the ocean’s depths. She is a wealthy and enigmatic deity, often depicted as half human and half fish. Olokun governs not only the ocean but all bodies of water, including rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes. According to tradition, Obatala condemned Olokun to the ocean’s depths after an attempt to flood the world. In Lukumi, there are two types of Olokun: the more common Lukumi Iworo or Olokun de Santero, aligning with traditional Yoruba faith; and Olokun de Babalawo, a male entity connected with Eggun and Odu Ifa. Olokun’s number is seven, and her colors include royal blue, black, green, and red.

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Oya / Yansa

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Oya is the female warrior Òrìshá of wind, thunder, storms, hurricanes, and tornadoes. She embodies change, evolution, and maintains a powerful connection with the Eggun (ancestor spirits). Oya guards the gates of the cemetery, requiring homage for entry. She is sister to Obba and Yewa and was the first wife of Òrìshá Oggun before leaving him for Chango. Oya accompanied both Oggun and Chango in numerous battles and was named queen of Kooso. Her number is nine; her colors include wine, red, brown, and multi-colored patterns. Her feast day is February 2nd. She is synchronized with St. Theresa.

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Agayu / Aganyu

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Agayu is the Òrìshá of volcanoes and is associated with travel. He is the brother of Chango. His number is nine, his feast day is November 16th, and his colors are reddish-brown and opal, accented with multi-colored patterns. He is synchronized with St. Christopher.

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Babaluaye / Asojuano / Obaluaye

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Babalú-Ayé (Father of the World) is the Òrìshá of smallpox, leprosy, venereal diseases, epidemics, and general illness. Conversely, he is also the great healer with the power to both inflict and cure diseases. Brother to Oshumare and Ikoro, and son of Nana Buruku, he was raised by Yemaya. In both Lukumi and Yoruba traditions, Babalú-Ayé commands deep respect and fear. His number is seventeen; colors are purple, black, white, and brown. His feast day is December 17th. He is synchronized with St. Lazarus.

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Ibeji

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The Ibeji are twin Òrìshás (Taiwo and Kainde), representing fortune, prosperity, and luck. Depicted as childlike male and female deities, they are minor Òrìshás yet uniquely capable of defeating Abita (the devil). Children of Chango and Oshun, they were raised by Yemaya. Their number is two and its multiples; colors are red and white, and blue and white. Their feast day is September 27th. They are synchronized with Sts. Cosme and Damian.

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Ideu

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Ideu is the younger sibling of Ibeji (third born) and is said to be Oshun's favorite child. He is believed to balance the emotions of those who offer sacrifices to him. His numbers are 2, 4, and 5; his colors are amber, yellow, and coral. Ideu is synchronized with the infant held by Our Lady of Charity.

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Iroko

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Iroko is the Òrìshá of abundance and prosperity. His spirit is said to inhabit the Iroko tree native to West Africa; in the Caribbean and Americas, he is synchronized with the Ceiba tree. It is said all Òrìshás gather at Iroko’s base. His numbers are 7 and 8; feast day is December 8th, and his colors are green and turquoise. He is synchronized with the Immaculate Conception.

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Orisha Oko / Oko

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Òrìshá Oko governs agriculture, the countryside, farms, crops, harvests, and the plowed earth. Depicted as a sun-scorched farmer guiding a plow drawn by bulls, Oko symbolizes strength, fertility, and fairness. He resolves disputes among humans and Òrìshás alike. Infertile individuals often seek his assistance. Oko taught mankind agricultural practices essential for survival. He embodies duality, representing the perfect man by day and Iku (death) by night. Bees serve as his messengers and protectors. His number is seven; colors are blue, pink, and red/coral; his feast day is May 15th. He is synchronized with St. Isidore.

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Obba / Obba Nani

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Obba is a female warrior Òrìshá and the legitimate wife of Chango. She symbolizes matrimony and the essence of relationships. Frequently depicted fighting alongside Chango, she was trained in warfare by Oggun. Oggun crafted for her various weapons and tools made from solid copper,