What is Okê Arô?

Oxóssi is the king of the forests and that is why he is so connected to nature. He is also known as the orixá of hunting, symbolizing knowledge, abundance and representing the forests. So much so that his image is represented by the figure of a man holding in his hands a bow and arrow made of steel. Typical image of a hunter and guardian.

In this way, Oxóssi carries in his essence the sense of hunting, healing, kindness and protection. In addition to carrying what is of nature such as fauna and flora, the stars, the moon, the sun. Consequently, his children carry this same essence.

Getting to know Oxóssi

Oxóssi is an orixá, god of the hunter, of the forest and of all beings that inhabit it. He is characterized for also being the god of abundance, of food. In addition, Oxóssi is seen as a civilizer and because of his condition as a hunter he becomes the orixá that best represents what is oldest in human existence: the struggle for survival.

He represents astuteness, intelligence, caution, determination. These are attributes of his story precisely because he carries only one arrow, so he needs to be accurate in his target. And Oxóssi never misses the arrow.

Origin of Oxóssi

Oxóssi is of African origin. He was considered the guardian of the hunters, as they were the ones who hunted and brought food for their people. He is an orixá in the Afro-Brazilian religions Umbanda and Candomblé.

In candomblé, Oxóssi is characterized by a dancing rhythm, fast as if he was hunting and his image is represented by a male figure holding a bow and arrow in his hand. Oxóssi has nature in his essence, he praises fauna and flora. In Brazil, he is seen as one of the main orixás.

Oxóssi in Brazil

In Brazil, Oxóssi's habitat is the forest. His main instruments are the bow and arrow. He is seen as a very accurate and determined orixá in Brazil, because with one arrow shot he can hit the target, which makes him skillful.

Oxóssi is very popular in the country, by Umbanda he is seen as the patron of the caboclo line. And by candomblé he is seen as the King of the Queto Nation.

Domains of Oxóssi

Oxóssi's domains are strongly influenced by his essence. Therefore, he has as his main domain the forest. Precisely because he is considered the god of nature and animals. Other domains of Oxóssi are agriculture, abundance, food.

Hunting, for example, is the most primitive way of searching for food, so this represents survival because in the old days one had to hunt to eat. Besides this, Oxóssi's courage, determination, intelligence and wisdom make him a unique orixá and a special guardian. The orixá has earth as his element.

Earth element

Oxóssi has as his element the earth, the forests, the cultivable fields. This means that he carries with him focus, assertiveness, knowledge, firmness, patience, courage, agility. The earth element brings all these characteristics.

Oxóssi teaches that you need courage to face obstacles and challenges. You need focus to achieve your goals, agility to act quickly, assertiveness to make the right choice. In short, Oxóssi has many virtues and this is shown through the earth element.

Animal

Oxóssi is an orixá who is entering the universe of the forests, the jungles. He is a deity of hunting and wild animals. He has contact with many species of animals, especially birds.

From this, he protects hunters, animals and walkers, so his animal is the parrot. The reason the bird has the protection of Oxóssi is because the parrot has a quick understanding.

Color

As seen in previous topics, Oxóssi has as his main habitat the forest. So, the color that symbolizes this orixá is the green color, this in the Umbanda viewpoint.

From the candomblé point of view, the color that symbolizes Oxóssi is light blue, which attracts friendship. Both green and light blue are representations of nature: rivers, woods, forests.

Day of the week

The day of the week that Oxóssi is consecrated is Thursday, for Umbanda. On this day you can light white, light green or light blue candles, colors that are his.

It is worth mentioning that on this day it becomes interesting to make a prayer to Oxóssi. Throughout the article it is possible to know two prayers.

Number

Oxóssi's lucky number is 6. This number represents strength, harmony, calmness, balance, responsibility, family, positivity.

Therefore, Oxóssi has all these elements and can fight for what he wants with strength and patience. The positive side appears because he always sees the good side of situations.

Religious syncretism

Religious syncretism occurs when two or more religious practices merge to form one. However, they do not lose their essence. In Brazil it is possible to observe several religious matrices.

In Brazil, religious syncretism is seen especially between Catholicism and Afro-Brazilian religions. An example of this is Oxóssi, who is an orixá, and Saint Sebastian, who is a Christian Saint. See more details below.

What is religious syncretism?

Religious syncretism means uniting elements of two distinct religions, but which have similarities. That is, when one or more religious beliefs are mixed, without leaving their doctrine and their original basic characteristics.

In Brazil, it is possible to see some religious syncretism, but the most common is the syncretism that was made between Afro-Brazilian religions, such as Candomblé and Catholicism. Besides, in the Afro-Brazilian religions there are several orixás, among them Oxóssi who has syncretism with Saint Sebastian.

Who is San Sebastian?

Saint Sebastian is a Christian martyr and saint. He would have died for the Christian cause. Saint Sebastian protected Christians who were in prison by giving food, water and sometimes releasing Christians who were in prison.

Soon the emperor Diocletian was furious and ordered him to be tied to a tree and be arrowed, so the image of Saint Sebastian is of a young man with short hair with arrows in his body.

Saint Sebastian is the patron saint of the city of Rio de Janeiro, being the patron saint of athletes, of those who practice sports, of archers, of artisans.

Thus, as São Sebastião is seen as a saint that protects people against hunger, Oxóssi, hunter of the forests, is always in search of food to supply his people. There are similarities between both.

Saint Sebastian and Oxóssi

In religious syncretism, Saint Sebastian is Oxóssi, because like Saint Sebastian, the orixá is the protector of humanity against hunger. Oxóssi is the orixá that gives sustenance to the body through food. So, these similarities show that the religious beliefs are different, but the essence is the same.

In Umbanda, Oxóssi's day is the same as Saint Sebastian's precisely because of this religious syncretism that occurs between them.

Oxóssi Day

In religious syncretism, January 20 is celebrated as the day of Oxóssi - Saint Sebastian, the first orixá that has great symbolism and is the first to be celebrated in Umbanda.

Thus, it is Saint Sebastian who takes care of one's goals. Therefore, January is the month when one should be more attentive to what one wants, that is, pay more attention to the goals one wants to pursue and trace out during the whole year.

These goals are requests to Oxóssi. That is why, in the Umbanda terreiros and calendars, Oxóssi's day is celebrated in January.

Characteristics of the sons of Oxóssi

Oxóssi has as a characteristic the need to be close to nature, fauna and flora. Being an orixá of contemplation, the appreciation for what is beautiful and for the arts is also present.

Besides, he is seen as a guardian, warrior and wise man. And Oxóssi's children have similar characteristics to their father's, even though each son is unique. See more in the sequence.

Characteristics of the sons of Oxóssi

As seen above, Oxóssi has particular characteristics and so do his children. It is worth noting that each son is unique, but what makes them children of Oxóssi is precisely the fact that they have characteristics in common.

Endowed with a strong essence like their father's, the sons of Oxóssi are characterized by being introverted, kind, discreet, airy, distracted, patient. They love to contemplate nature, silence, inner peace and peace around them. They do not like arguments and are always ready to help others. Just like Oxóssi.

Characteristics of the daughters of Oxóssi

The daughters of Oxóssi have similar characteristics to their father, such as calmness, the sensitivity to contemplate what is beautiful, the gift for the arts, they are discreet, introverted, kind and very determined. Like their father, they love nature: the sun, animals, stars, waterfalls, the green of the forests, because that is what brings them tranquility and calm.

Another characteristic that can be seen in the daughters of Oxóssi is distraction, they are distracted and have the ability to express themselves. In addition, they are very empathic, they put themselves in the place of others.

Sons of Oxóssi in love

The children of Oxóssi are sensitive and kind and when it comes to love they have a very beautiful and intense capacity to love. They are totally careful, responsible and serene in love. They do not show their feelings much, but this is because they are introverted and shy.

The fact that they are more in their own does not mean that they do not feel, because they are gifted with intense feelings and emotions. Because they feel too much they become romantic and sensitive, they love to be in the company of the loved one and feel loved. But the legend (itan) says that the children of Oxóssi in love are inconstant.

Itans of Oxóssi

Itans means "tales", "stories", "legends". Oxóssi in his journey went through many situations and for this reason he has many Itans. Some carry sadness, joy and anguish. Oxóssi's Itans are watered with action and sensibility precisely because they involve his family and the people he protects and loves.

Below, we will see some legends of this orixá who is known as the Lord of the Forests. In addition to why he was punished, his story with the bird and his tale of love with Oxum.

What is Itan?

The word Itan has Yoruba origin and means story, tale, and legends. In addition, Itan means, in a specific way, narratives of the Nago system.

These narratives are unique because they carry with them teachings, energies and spirituality precisely because they are related to Oxóssi, as can be seen below.

Itan of Oxóssi and Oxum

Legend has it that Oxóssi was enchanted by Oxum - she is the orixá and goddess of sweet water, represents the feminine power, sensitivity and wisdom. And Oxóssi, hunter of the woods, fell in love with this queen. One day, Oxóssi went out to hunt and get food for his people. But something made him lose focus: the queen Oxum, she was sailing through his sweet waters when she was spotted byOxossi.

He immediately stopped his hunt and approached her, they immediately fell in love. Oxóssi's people felt betrayed and started shooting arrows at them, Oxum protected him and took him to a refuge, away from danger. They found refuge in a little town called Ketu, where passionately Oxum gave the crown of King to Oxóssi. Thus the hunter became the Ketu King.

Itan of Oxóssi and the bird

According to legend, Oxóssi killed the bird of the sorceresses to celebrate the harvest of yams that was offered to the people in a great feast. The ceremony was going normally, until a scary bird landed on the roof of the palace.

The bird caused panic to the people who were at the event, they felt afraid and were scared. They wondered where the bird had come from, until they learned: the bird had been sent by the sorceresses because they had not been invited to the celebration.

The bird was circling until the king called for the best hunters, all of whom promised to save the people from the bird's clutches. However, they all failed in their attempt to stop the bird.

But suddenly, Oxotocanxoxô, the hunter of an arrow had recommended his mother to the sorceresses if he was not able to contain the bird. So, he aimed accurately and shot the only arrow he had, hitting and killing the terrible bird. He was named by the people Oxóssi.

Itan de Oxóssi is punished

Oxóssi hunted quails to please Olofin. However, the three times he hunted the quails, they ran away. When he finally managed to deliver the quails to Olofin, the creator told him, "make a request and it will be granted.

Oxóssi in turn exclaimed angrily: "I want the arrow to strike the heart of those who stole my quails". In the middle of the woods Oxóssi's mother hid herself, because she was ashamed of her son's attitude.

She cried so much that from her tears rivers were born. She had a kind heart, so much so that she asked him to free the quails that she had raised in secret hidden from her father - Olofin. Then the arrow pierces her heart and Oxóssi feels guilty. He runs away confused and Yemanjá signals that he needs some time to straighten things out internally.

Oxóssi returns to his home and Olofin punishes him, making him always work with his brother Ogum. Thus, Oxóssi also wore three quail conchs on his necklace so that he would never forget why and when he killed his own mother.

Offerings to Oxóssi

Oxóssi is the orixá that gives sustenance to the body through food. He is also the orixá of prosperity, abundance, wisdom and knowledge.

So, when thinking of offerings to Oxóssi it is important to think about these points. Below are offerings to the Lord of the Woods.

Oxoxô to Oxóssi

The ritual food of the orixás is known as Oxoxô. It consists of boiled red corn. It is worth noting that when it is an offering to Oxóssi, the red corn is mixed with molasses - molasses is a sugar cane honey.

In addition to the red corn with molasses, slices of shelled coconut can also be placed. From this, the offering is done and all that is needed is to offer it to the orixá, father of the forests.

Fruits for Oxóssi

Oxóssi is a hunter, so he is always in search of food and among them are fruits. In offerings, the fruits offered to Oxóssi are: watermelon, green grape, pear, green coconut, melon, pineapple, cashew.

These fruits are known for bringing harmony, calmness and the energy of prosperity. We emphasize that Oxóssi is the orixá of abundance.

Prayer to Oxóssi

Oxóssi is a warrior, a guardian and a wise man, so, to pray to him is to make the paths open in a wiser way, and also to ensure protection. To pray to Oxóssi is to feel a little of this vein of wisdom, determination and assertiveness. Oxóssi is the father of the forests, nature and food.

Thus, praying for him makes it possible to feel even more protected, because the Lord of the Forests protects and opens the paths. Below are two prayers to Oxóssi for protection and another prosperity and protection.

Prayer to Oxóssi for protection

Say the prayer to Oxóssi for protection:

"Oxóssi, father of all forests, of fauna and flora.

Protect me from everything that holds me back, from everything that lets me down.

Oxóssi, may the Lord with his bow and arrow protect me from all the bad energies.

Give me wisdom to deal with my problems and open my paths to prosper.

Oxóssi, great master in the spiritual plane.

Give me the same calmness and determination that you give me, so that I can act.

Oxossi, Oxossi, Oxossi.

May I achieve my goals.

Okê Arô, Okê Arô, Okê Arô!!!"

Prayer for Oxóssi prosperity and protection

"Oxóssi, may the Lord protect me from all the wickedness of the world.

Oxóssi, may the Lord protect me from all the envy of the world.

Oxóssi, may the Lord prosper my paths bringing me happiness and calmness.

Oxóssi, may the Lord look upon me and show me which path to follow.

May his arrow and bow give me protection and prosper in my favor.

Oxóssi, let there be no bitterness in me.

Let there be love, tranquility.

Oxóssi, may you be my fortress and so I ask you: protect me.

Okê Arô, Okê Arô, Okê Arô!"

How do I know if I am a son of Oxóssi?

Oxóssi is the king of nature, of fauna and flora. He is the hunter of the forests and his main characteristics are determination, calmness, knowledge and the instinct to protect others. He does whatever it takes to save his people and to feed them.

And his children are no different, they have similar characteristics to these. Children of Oxóssi are the most introverted of the orixás and the most quiet. They love nature, are determined, have a calm appearance.

Besides that, they are sensitive, discreet, distracted, honest, creative, hurt easily, fickle, and have a kind and fair heart. If you identify with these characteristics, you are possibly a son of Oxóssi.