Ochùn o Oshùn

Ochún or Oshún

Goddess of love, of beauty, of femininity and of the rivers. The female counterpart of Changó (of whom she is the lover). Protected by Elegguá and Yemayá, friend of Elegguá who protects her. She always accompanies Yemayá. She lives in the river and assists expectant mothers and women in labor. She is represented as a beautiful mulatta, likeable, a good dancer and always cheerful. She is capable of resolving, as much as of provoking, quarrels among the Orishas and among men. Her color is yellow, but sea green and coral are also attributed to her. She possesses healing virtues that she puts into practice through her waters and through honey, of which she is the mistress. Her favorite flower is the sunflower. Her day is Saturday. Catholicized as the Virgin “de la Caridad del Cobre” (patron of Cuba). The colors of Ochún (whose syncretic representation is the Virgin of Charity of Santiago) are yellow and gold; her number is 5. To her belong the royal peacocks and other birds with colorful plumage. Ochún is in essence the representation of vanity and narcissism. She adores feasts and dances, jewels and adornments of every kind, above all of gold.