#yoruba

Orisha of love, fertility, fresh waters, femininity, and beauty. In many stories she is venerated as one of the most important orisha, the most important female orisha of them all. Sometimes it is said that the male orisha sent to aiye (Earth) could not perform their tasks as they lacked feminine energy, and despite originally shunning Ọṣun they come to beg for her aid. She later comes to marry Shango, and in some stories Orunmila as well who teaches her divination. Without her the world has no beauty and no balance.

Pantheon: Yoruba, African Diaspora Religions

Domain or Function: Represents beauty, femininity, and love, as well as fresh water.

Alternate Names: Ochún, Oxúm.

Character Traits: She is motherly and sensual as well, a protectress, powerful, and can even sometimes be vengeful.

Visual Traits: Usually a woman of African descent adorned in yellow. Depictions of her often drown her in gold or have her next to bodies of water.

Symbolism: Identified most by the colors yellow, orange, gold, and white. Fans, mirrors, jewelry, anything gold or bronze, honey, parrots and peacocks, and the sacred number five. Bodies of fresh water are sacred to her and are where offerings can be made.

Design Notes: She prances through fresh water holding a mirror and surrounded by a parrot and butterflies. She is decorated in beautiful yellow with gold and beads as accents as well as a sunflower!