Depending on who you ask this spirit may be one and the same with Èṣù, possibly derived from "Èṣù-Ẹlẹ́gbára" and slowly becoming its own spirit. Both are spirits of the crossroads, natural order, and are tricksters. Mostly in Santería however Elegua is considered separate, a more powerful god whom Èṣù is simply a path of, brother of, or less powerful spirit. Elegua is older, more refined, and of a cooler temperament, whereas Èṣù is seen as more chaotic and sporadic. He is kept in the house behind the door in the form of a stone or cement called an ota, while Èṣù is said to reside outside. Elegua is most important as no ceremony can proceed without his approval, he is the messenger between the spirits and humans. It is said that Olódùmarè gave the keys of the past, present, and future to Elegua.

Pantheon: Yoruba, African Diaspora Religions, mostly Santería.

Domain or Function: Allows mortals to communicate with spirits, protects the home, and sees all things.

Alternate Names: Ẹlẹ́gbá, Eleggua, Eleguá.

Character Traits: He is a trickster through and through, though he is sometimes said to be less of a trickster than Èṣù.

Visual Traits: Often depicted as a child or young man holding a set of keys and dressed in black and red.

Symbolism: Black and red, the numbers 3 and 21, keys, ota stone, roasted corn.