What are the characteristics of Obatala?
In addition to purity, Obatala is associated with the characteristics of wisdom, compassion, peace, honesty, purpose, the New Year, forgiveness, resurrection, and ethics.
What does Obatala symbolize?
A saint among saints and the archetypal spirit of creativity, Obatala has been carried to many cultures of the New World, where for centuries he has been honored as the patron of children, childbirth, albinos, and anyone with a birthmark. In the New World as in the Old it is said, “Obatala marks his children.”
What are the powers of Obatala?
He possesses superior strength to all other Orisha, until he bestowed that power upon his eldest son and successor, King Shango. At his peak, Obatala possessed sufficient strength to lift 100 tons in his physical prime. He was also able to augment his strength beyond 100+ tons by tapping into the Spirit of Olorun.
Who is orisha most feared?
Ṣàngó is viewed as the most powerful and feared of the orisha pantheon. He casts a “thunderstone” to earth, which creates thunder and lightning, to anyone who offends him.
What animal represents Obatala?
Obatala is pictured wearing sparkling white clothes, a white crown, and a staff called an Opaxoro. This staff is generally made of wood from the atori vine. Another symbol of Obatala is the dove.
How do you honor Obatala?
Light the candle and offer your gratitude to Obatala. Return to their offering place and bring them more coconut water or white flowers. Both Yemanja and Obatala love white roses or carnations, so offering these to them every now and again is a truly kind ebo (offering) for their ashe (blessing).
Is Obatala male or female?
Obatala does not have a permanent gender. He is androgynous. He is married to Yemaya, the goddess of oceans and the godmother of Orishas. Free of gender, however, Obatala could be male, female, or neither.
What is Obatala day?
Obatala is often found in churches, libraries, universities, mountains, forest and the military. His number is 8 and his feast day is the 24th of September. His tool is a horsetail fly whisk.
What animal represents Shango?
Table 1
| Family/Species | Local and English Name | Deity offering made to |
|---|---|---|
| Capra hircus Linnaeus, 1758 | Bode/Cabra (goat/nanny-goat) | Orishas |
| Ovis aries (Linnaeus, 1758) | Carneiro/Ovelha (sheep) | Shango |
| Canidae | ||
| Canis lupus (Linnaeus, 1758) | Cachorro (dog) | A manifestation of Ogun (Ogunjá) in Africa |
How was Obatala born?
Much like Christian Jesus, Obatala is the child of god. Olorun, the father, permitted Obatala, the child, to descend from the heavens, create land over the waters, and template human bodies from popo (mud and clay). The Qur’an mentions several times that Allah created humans out of clay.
What religion is Obatala?
Part of the creation mythology of the Yoruba people, Obatala is one of several Yoruba deities thought to have been living people.
Who is the Supreme Being of the orisha of purity?
The Orisha of purity, Obatala was sent by the Supreme Being at the beginning of time to form the Earth. He also constructed the bodies of humans. Obatala completed his construction of the bodies he created by adding heads to them. He therefore became known as the owner of heads.
Who is the most powerful Orisha in the world?
She is the powerful force in nature that can change the face of the Earth. She embodies the tornadoes and twisters that uproot trees and houses with her destructive winds. This powerful Orisha is also responsible for carrying the spirits of the newly departed to the spirit world.
Who is the orisha of marriage and personal transformation?
The Orisha of marriage and personal transformation is Oba. This makes her fit to be the ruler of the seventh house, the house of partnership. Oba was the first wife of Shango who tended to his castle and everything that he requested. This made her the ideal wife before being tricked by her sister Oya into trying to ensnare Shango with witchcraft.
Who are the orisha of the seven African powers?
Obatala is an Orisha of the Seven African Powers known as a “cool” spirit of healing and peace. He’s also credited with the job of creating human bodies – particularly with imperfections like blindness and other defects. Perhaps he knew variety is necessary for human evolution!