Yemaya Oricha Statue (5 inches)

Yemaya, the great mother, lives and rules over the seas. Water is essential to life, and without her, life on Earth would not be possible. Although she is maternal and nurturing, she is also fierce. Her punishments can be terrible when she is outraged, but she is fair-minded and forgiving when proper remorse is shown. Yemaya is clever and brave. When she goes to war on behalf of her children, she wields a machete with expertise, and no one can defeat her. Her eleke, which is her signature, is made of transparent crystal beads alternating with royal blue ones, in a pattern of seven, which is her sacred number.

Yemaya is a revered figure in the Cuban Santeria, a syncretic religion that combines elements of West African Yoruba beliefs and Catholic traditions. As the great mother of the seas, she is associated with fertility, motherhood, and the protection of all life. She is a powerful and complex deity, capable of both nurturing and destruction.

In the Cuban folklore, Yemaya is depicted as a beautiful, stately woman who rules the oceans with a firm but fair hand. She is often portrayed as a mermaid, with a flowing, blue-green gown and long, flowing hair. Her domain is the ocean, where she governs the tides, the currents, and the creatures that dwell within.

Yemaya's eleke, or necklace, is an important symbol of her power and authority. The pattern of seven beads, alternating between transparent crystal and royal blue, represents the seven major African rivers that are sacred to her. The crystal beads symbolize the clarity and purity of her wisdom, while the blue beads represent the depth and mystery of the seas she rules.

When Yemaya is angered, her wrath can be terrible. She is not a deity to be trifled with, and those who disrespect her or her children can expect severe consequences. However, she is also known for her compassion and forgiveness, and she will often show mercy to those who sincerely repent their actions.

In the Santeria tradition, Yemaya is celebrated through ritual dances, offerings, and prayers. Devotees seek her blessings and protection, and they invoke her name to help them navigate the challenges of life. She is a powerful and beloved figure in the Cuban Afro-Caribbean culture, and her influence continues to be felt throughout the world.

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