Children of the Orishas: what it means and what they are like
In the Rule of Osha-Ifá, being a child of an orisha means that this deity has been designated as the person's guardian orisha or guardian angel. This connection is not established by preference, date of birth, or similar character traits, but rather through religious procedures specific to the tradition. At the same time, popular wisdom attributes certain characteristics, virtues, flaws, and specific care to the children of each orisha.
In this guide you will find articles dedicated to the characteristics of the children of the main orishas and an explanation of how this link should be understood within the Afro-Cuban practice.
What are the children of each orisha like?
Tradition describes the children of each orisha through profiles that encompass qualities, ways of reacting, strengths, and aspects they must learn to control. These characteristics are not useful for discovering one's Guardian Angel, but they form part of the knowledge passed down in many religious houses.
Select an orisha to learn about the characteristics attributed to their children, their virtues, their flaws, their personal relationships, and traditional advice related to their way of being.
What does it mean to be a child of an orisha
When someone is said to be a child of Oshun, Shango, Yemaya, Elegua, or another deity, it refers to their relationship with the orisha who rules their head. In some religious expressions, the Yoruba word is used. omowhich means son or daughter, as happens in Omo Oshun u like Yemayá.
The guardian orisha occupies a central place in a person's religious path. If the Kari Osha consecration is ever performed, the orisha ceremonially determined will be installed in their head, according to the rules, exceptions, and procedures recognized by their religious house.
Being a child of an orisha does not represent literal descent. Nor does it mean that the person possesses only the qualities attributed to that deity. It is a religious relationship that forms part of their path within the Rule of Osha-Ifá.
How is it determined which orisha a person is a child of?
The tutelary orisha is not chosen based on personal preference, affinity, or devotion. Its selection is determined through ceremonial procedures performed by religious practitioners with the necessary training and authority. The specific method may vary according to the lineage, branch, and rules of each Osha-Ifá house.
Determination through the dilogún
In certain houses of Osha, the Guardian Angel can be established through a ceremony with the dilogún or snailThis procedure must be performed by trained olorishas and is not equivalent to an ordinary consultation intended to resolve everyday problems.
Determination through Ifá
In houses that recognize this authority of Ifá, the descent of the Guardian Angel is performed through Orunmila and the intervention of the babalawos. In many cases, it can be part of the ceremony of the Orula's Hand, known as Awofakán for men and Ikofafún for women.
The differences between the two paths must be understood within the norms of each lineage. It is not appropriate to determine independently which procedure is more valid, nor to compare the practices of one house with those of another.
How to not determine the Guardian Angel
There are numerous lists, tests, and popular associations that claim to reveal which orisha a person is a child of. However, none of them can replace the ceremonial determination.
The tutelary orisha is not known through:
- The date or month of birth.
- The zodiac sign.
- A personality test.
- Physical traits.
- Isolated dreams.
- The preference for certain colors.
- Affinity or devotion towards an orisha.
- The resemblance to the characteristics attributed to his children.
A person can feel a deep devotion to Yemayá, identify with the strength of Shangó, or recognize in themselves some traits attributed to Oshún without any of them necessarily being their tutelary orisha.
How should the characteristics of the children of the orishas be understood?
The characteristics attributed to the children of each orisha belong to the popular and religious knowledge transmitted in the Afro-Cuban tradition. These characteristics describe character traits, virtues, difficulties, ways of relating to others, and behaviors symbolically associated with each deity.
For example, the children of Yemayá are often attributed with a protective nature; the children of Shangó, leadership and intensity; the children of Oshún, charisma and sensitivity; and the children of Oggún, strength and a capacity for work. These descriptions can help in understanding the symbolism surrounding each orisha, but they should not be used as a horoscope.
No one possesses all the exact traits associated with their guardian orisha. Character is also shaped by upbringing, experiences, environment, individual path, and guidance received in consultations or during their itá.
Virtues and defects attributed to their children
Traditional profiles do not only describe positive qualities. Each orisha represents forces that can manifest in a balanced or chaotic way, so behaviors that their children must learn to control are also indicated.
Courage can become impulsiveness; firmness, stubbornness; the desire to protect, excessive control; and a taste for beauty, vanity. These warnings should not be understood as condemnations, but rather as traditional guidelines related to character development and the pursuit of balance.
The eewó and religious care
The eewó These are prohibitions, restrictions, or precautions that a person must respect within their religious path. They may refer to certain foods, behaviors, places, colors, objects, or situations that must be avoided.
Although there are popular prohibitions associated with some orishas, not all of their children necessarily share the same eewó. Personal care is determined through consultation, ceremony, or itá and depends on each person's individual path.
For this reason, general lists found in books or online should not replace the guidance given by the elders of the religious community. Articles dedicated to each group may include the most well-known prohibitions, but these should always be understood as traditional references and not as universal rules.
Does being the child of an orisha mean being initiated?
No. A person can know their Guardian Angel without having performed kari oshaThe determination of the tutelary orisha and the consecration are different processes.
Knowing which orisha rules your head doesn't automatically obligate you to undergo initiation. The need for consecration should be determined through religious guidance, consultation, and the individual circumstances of each person. It's not appropriate to decide based solely on curiosity, external pressure, or personal preference.
Frequently asked questions about the children of the orishas
How can I find out which orisha I am a child of?
The tutelary orisha is determined through recognized ceremonial procedures within the Rule of Osha-Ifá. According to the practices of the religious house, it can be established through the dilogún or through Ifá divination.
Can I find out which orisha is my orisha based on my personality?
No. Sharing some traits with the children of Oshun, Yemaya, Shango, Elegua, or another deity does not prove that this is the orisha that rules your head. Traditional characteristics are guidelines and do not constitute a method of religious determination.
Does my birth date reveal which orisha I am a child of?
There is no ceremonial correspondence within the Rule of Osha-Ifá that allows one to determine their Guardian Angel by day, month, or zodiac sign. Lists that link orishas to birth dates are modern associations and do not replace a religious ceremony.
Does being the child of an orisha obligate one to be crowned?
No. Knowing one's guardian orisha does not require undergoing Kari Osha. The initiation takes place when there is a religious orientation that justifies it and when the person is prepared to assume its responsibilities.
Can a person have characteristics of several orishas?
Yes. A person can recognize in themselves traits attributed to different orishas. Human character is not formed exclusively by the qualities of one's guardian orisha, so personality alone is never enough to determine who one is a child of.
Can the Guardian Angel change?
The tutelary orisha, determined through the ceremonial path recognized by the religious house, cannot be changed based on personal preference, affinity, or decision. If contradictory results arise, the situation must be resolved within the tradition, with the elders, and through the appropriate procedures.
What happens if I don't yet know my guardian orisha?
Not knowing your religion doesn't prevent you from learning about it, developing a spiritual life, or expressing devotion. When there's a need to determine your religion, the appropriate step is to approach a reputable religious institution and receive guidance from qualified individuals.
Get to know the orishas and their foundations better
The characteristics of their children are part of a larger set of stories, symbols, paths, and teachings. To understand the place of each deity within the religion, consult our guide on the OrishasYou can also find more information about determining your Guardian Angel in the article dedicated to it. Orula's Hand.
