Yemayá, Mother of the Ocean
Yemayá (Yemoja) is the great mother orisha of the ocean, maternity, and the moon in Cuban Santería, syncretized with the Virgin of Regla. She is the goddess of living waters, the salt sea, and is considered the mother of all life and the protector of women and children. Her colors are blue and white, her number is 7, and her symbol is a fan. A famous patakí tells how Yemayá gave her long magical hair to her sister Oshún as a gift of generosity, binding their realms of salt and fresh water forever. Yemayá is depicted as a mermaid or a beautiful woman emerging from the waves. She represents the