Eleggua, the Trickster Messenger
Eleggua (Elegbara) is the trickster orisha of crossroads, doors, opportunities, and fate in Cuban Santería. He is the messenger between humanity and the other orishas, syncretized with the Holy Child of Atocha. Eleggua opens and closes paths, and no ceremony can begin without his permission. He is depicted as a mischievous child who carries a hooked staff and wears a red and black beaded necklace. His number is 3, multiplied by 21. One legend tells how Eleggua created confusion among the orishas by wearing a hat of two colors, causing arguments about which way he was walking — teaching that pe