Oxum is the female Orixá of love and beauty and is the only female Orixá believed to have participated in the creation of the world. She overlaps with many of the other Orixá, with dominion over fresh water, fish, mermaids, and butterflies.
She embodies the natural energy of fresh water and is usually invoked close to water sources. But she is also linked with the liquid blood that flows in the veins of all life. She is linked with the art of divination and ideas of good luck and abundance.
- Greeting: Ora Yê Yê Ô! (Watch over us, mommy)
- Symbol: fan with a star (abebé) and mirror
- Day of the week: Saturday
- Colors: golden yellow (candomblé) and dark blue (Umbanda)
- Foods: hominy, eggs, omolocum, xinxim, banana, and honey
- Offerings: perfumes, mirrors, ornaments, yellow and white flowers
- Day of the year: December 8th
Learn more about the overall principles of Candomble here.
Candomble’s Goddess of Love
The goddess of love and Orixá of the waters, Oxum is the one who keeps emotions, fertility, and nature in balance. She is a gentle mother who intercedes on behalf of her children.
Oxum is sought after for matters of union and relationships. All those looking for peace and stability in a relationship can ask Oxum for her blessing.
Also known as Osúm, Osún, or Oxun, she is the embodiment of sensitivity, feminine delicacy, and passion. Mother Oxum loves calm waters, and it is through her energy that she calms the hearts of lovers. Many cry when invoking Oxum because her sensitivity is transferred.
History of Oxum
Oxum is the daughter of Iemanjá and Oxalá. She is the second wife of Xangô, together with the Orixás Obá and Iansã. According to several myths, Oxum also lived with Ogum, Exu, Orunmilá, and Oxóssi.
One story says that it was common for male Orixás to meet to discuss issues about humanity. Oxum always found this very unfair, as she knew she had enough wisdom and power to give her opinion, but was never invited to share her thoughts. Therefore, she decided to use her cunning to be heard.
Since there would be no men if it weren’t for women’s pregnancies, Oxum took away the grace of fertility from everyone, and thus humanity began to dwindle and there were no births. Noticing that something was wrong on earth, the Orixás decided to consult Olorum, who revealed to them that Oxum had taken away the gift of motherhood from everyone.
As only she could resolve this issue, they invited her to participate in the meeting and since then, she has been present in all agreements and decisions made by the Orixás, and humanity has started to multiply once again.
Guises of Oxum
It is believed that Oxum has 16 different versions, which can be distinguished from one another by their appearance and behavior.
- Oxum Abalô: is an old Oxum, of ancient worship;
- Oxum Ijimu: another type of ancient Oxum;
- Oxum Abotô: also an old Oxum of ancient worship;
- Oxum Apara / Opara: the youngest of the Oxums. Warrior, known as the Lady of the Sword;
- Oxum Ajagura / Ajijara: another Oxum warrior with a sword;
- Oxum Oke: young warrior, linked to Oxóssi;
- Oxum Iponda: warrior, queen of the city that bears her name Ìponda;
- Oxum Oga: old and warrior, carries Abèbé and Alfange;
- Oxum Kare: young and warrior;
- Oxum Ipetu: very old cult, deep in the forest;
- Oxum Yaala: the most ancestral of all, the grandmother;
- Oxum Otin: linked to hunting;
- Oxum Iberi: new, concentrates vanity, beauty, and elegance;
- Oxum Mouwo: linked to Yemanjá;
- Yeye Popolokun: of rare cult, linked to lakes and ponds.
- Oxum Oloko: warrior, who lives in the forest in large water wells, patron saint of the well.
Daughters of Oxum
The daughters of Oxum tend to be delicate and beautiful with a natural gentleness, innocence, and bright eyes. They are naturally sensual and express feminine emotions, so they are considered inconstant and frivolous. They are naturally caring and love children and small animals. They often know how to get other people to do things for them.
When Oxum’s dance is performed, the dancer will imitate looking vainly in a mirror at her own beauty. Her color is yellow-gold, and her greeting is Ore Yeye.
Her offerings can include honey, fruits, flowers, and sweet items, given to her on the banks of rivers.
Exu – Intermediary & Guardian of the Crossroads
Iansa – Warrior Goddess of Wind and Storms
Oxossi – Hunting and the Forest
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