Who is Elegua?
Elegua (also known as Eleggua, Eshu, or Exu) is one of the most important Orishas within the Santeria and Yoruba religions. Within Haitian Voodou and other Afro-Carribbean traditions, Elegua is known as Papa Legba. His importance among the Orishas is due primarily to him being the first of them to be created. Elegua existed before creation and was witness to it after being created by Olodumare.
Elegua is known as the ruler of all crossroads, roads, and doorways. He is the personification of destiny and fate among all of mankind, which means that he is the one who controls what happens to us and where we go in life.
People believe that Elegua is present everywhere at all times and that all prayers and religious practices have to go through him before they can reach the other Orishas. He has the power to allow roads and doors to open from the spiritual world to the material world, which helps to provide people with their destinies.
Elegua also has the ability to test a person’s word and integrity to see if they are honest. If someone passes Elegua’s test, it means that they are a trustworthy person. His partner is named Echu, who governs over all misfortune.
Elegua: The Personification of Destiny
As touched upon previously, Elegua is the personification of destiny and fate among all of mankind. As he is the ruler of all crossroads, roads, and doorways, it is said that he is present in all places at all times. All prayers are allowed to reach the other Orishas by Elegua. It is up to him whether the prayers or any religious practices reach the rest of the Orishas at all.
Elegua has a wide variety of different roads at his disposal, each signifying a different and unique personality of his. In fact, it is said that Elegua has 101 roads in all, each of them found in different places of nature.
He allows roads and doors to open from the spiritual world to the material world as a means of providing mankind with their destinies, allowing a person’s fate to change at his will. He also has the ability to test a person’s word and integrity in order to find out if that person is honest.
Elegua and Echu: A Partnership of Balance
In addition to his relationships with the other Orishas, Elegua is also often paired with another Orisha named Echu. Echu is known for his mischievous and unpredictable nature and is often associated with misfortune and chaos. However, Echu’s role is not to cause harm, but rather to help balance the forces of the universe.
In partnership with Elegua, Echu helps to govern misfortune and ensure that the world remains in balance. Echu’s ability to navigate the chaos and bring order is highly valued, and he is often called upon in times of crisis. Together, Elegua and Echu represent the dynamic interplay of forces that shape the world and keep it in motion.
Despite their association with misfortune and chaos, Elegua and Echu are highly respected in the religion of Santeria. They are seen as powerful Orishas who have the ability to bring balance to the universe and protect their followers from harm.
Elegua’s Relationship With Other Orishas
Elegua, being the first among the Orishas, has a special relationship with all the other Orishas in the Yoruba religion. He serves as the mediator and messenger between the other Orishas and humanity. Elegua’s relationship with other Orishas is different from Orisha to Orisha.
Ogun
Elegua is closely associated with Ogun, the Orisha of iron and war because they share a lot of similar traits. Both are seen as warriors, and they are believed to have come from the same region of Nigeria. They are often depicted together, with Elegua serving as a scout and messenger for Ogun.
Obatala
On the other hand, Elegua’s relationship with Obatala, the Orisha of creation and wisdom, is more of a mentor-mentee type. Elegua is believed to have helped Obatala in creating the world by leading him to the source of the clay that Obatala used to create human beings.
Shango
Elegua is also associated with other Orishas, such as Shango, the Orisha of thunder and lightning, and Oshun, the Orisha of love and beauty. In all these relationships, Elegua’s role is to help the other Orishas and humanity by acting as a messenger and mediator between them.
Overall, Elegua’s relationships with other Orishas are significant in the Yoruba religion as they demonstrate the interdependence and interconnectedness of all aspects of life.
The Different Roads and Personalities of Elegua
Elegua is believed to have different “roads” or paths, each with its own personality and preferences. These roads are also known as “caminos” in Spanish.
Elegua Alagguana
One of the most common roads of Elegua is known as Elegua Alagguana. This road is associated with youthfulness, playfulness, and joy. It is believed that Elegua Alagguana likes toys, candy, and other fun things. Followers of this road often make offerings of toys or candy to Elegua.
Elegua Bara
Another road of Elegua is Elegua Bara. This road is known for being stern and serious. It is believed that Elegua Bara likes to be respected and requires strict adherence to certain rituals and rules. Followers of this road often make offerings of tobacco or other items associated with respect and seriousness.
Elegua Eshu Alawana
Elegua also has a road known as Elegua Eshu Alawana. This road is associated with mischievousness and trickery. It is believed that Elegua Eshu Alawana enjoys playing pranks on people and causing minor chaos. Followers of this road often make offerings of items associated with trickery and deception, such as mirrors or small toys that make noise.
Overall, the different roads and personalities of Elegua illustrate the complexity and multifaceted nature of this important Orisha. Each road offers a unique way to connect with and honor Elegua.
Elegua’s Clothing and Appearance
Elegua has a distinct appearance and style. In terms of appearance, Elegua is often depicted as a young boy or a man of medium height wearing a hat or cap, a frock coat, and holding a cane or walking stick. Some depictions show Elegua with a dog, as dogs are also associated with him in Santeria.
The colors of his outfit are red and black, which are also his sacred colors. The frock coat is usually designed with red and black stripes. However, at times, the entire outfit is decorated with black and red shells or even small balls. His hat is also an essential part of his outfit. It is often decorated with beads and feathers, and it has a unique style that sets it apart from other hats. The beads that adorn his neck also have special meaning and are often red and black, like his clothing.
Elegua’s clothing is not only important because it represents him, but it also has a symbolic meaning. The colors red and black represent his power and energy. They also signify the different paths of life that one can choose to follow, with red representing a positive path and black representing a negative one.
Syncretized with Saint Anthony of Padua
He is also syncretized (blended) with Saint Anthony of Padua, the Portuguese saint on June 13, the Holy Child of Atocha, and Archangel Michael. We are not sure why Eleguá is syncretized with Saint Anthony. Perhaps it’s because Saint Anthony had his road changed.
Eleguá is everywhere in the Caribbean. You just have to know how to read his signs. You can be looking right at him and not know what you are seeing.
We long wondered why Elegua has two different days: January 6 and June 13. We suspect it’s because of the way traditions vary in Africa and in the Americas. Yoruba New Year in Africa is June 3, so it makes sense that at the start of the year, we honor Elegua. In the Americas, New Year is based on the Gregorian calendar of the Romans. So we honor Elegua at the start of the Gregorian year. And the story of the Three Kings paying respect to the divine fits well with the way we ask Elegua for permission when we want to pay respect to the divine.
The Symbols Associated With Elegua
The number three, and the colors black and red are important symbols for Elegua. The number three is important to his followers because it is associated with balance and harmony. It is said that Elegua has three roads, and each road has its own unique personality. The number three is also associated with communication and understanding.
The colors black and red are also associated with Elegua. Black is the color of the unknown, and it represents the mysteries of the world. Red is the color of power and energy, and it represents life and vitality. When worn together, black and red symbolize balance and harmony.
Elegua’s followers wear a necklace with beads that are either black, red, or both. These beads are called Elekes, and they are believed to protect the person wearing them. Each bead has a different meaning, and together they create a powerful symbol of Elegua’s protection and guidance.
What Does It Mean To Dream of Elegua?
The Orisha Elegua is associated with communication, beginnings, and opportunities. Dreaming of Elegua may represent new beginnings or opportunities that are coming your way or a need for improved communication in your life.
Elegua is also associated with crossroads, and his presence in a dream may suggest that you are at a turning point in your life or facing a decision that will significantly impact your future. Elegua is also known as a trickster figure, so dreaming of him may indicate that you need to be more mindful of people or situations that may be deceptive or misleading.
Dreams are highly personal and their meaning can vary depending on an individual’s experiences and beliefs. So, remember, it is essential to consider the context of your dream as well as what emotions you were experiencing during your dream before you can truly understand its meaning.
Types of Offerings For Elegua
Both standard food and sacrificed animals can be offered to Elegua at the altar. The one food that Elegua will outright not accept is a pigeon. Any kinds of fish, yellow rice, toasted corn, tobacco, candies, and liquor will be accepted by Elegua, as will nut oil and Chilean red pepper.
As for sacrificed animals, Elegua is partial to chickens, turtles, mice, deer, and male goats. One of the primary foods that can be offered to Elegua is popcorn served in a bowl and topped with smoked fish. This offering can be laid next to the shrine of Elegua.
Another cooked food that works well as an offering is what is known as Eko. This food is basically corn tamales and consists of a tamale, cornmeal, porridge, and palm oil, all cooked together and placed on a plate that is meant to be placed beside the shrine of Elegua.
Prayers Associated With Elegua
While there are many different prayers associated with Elegua, there are two main orikis that are used the most. The first of these goes like this:
Eshu: protect my family.
Protect the initiates of the Temple and me also.
Let me not be moved against the people.
Let not the people be moved against me.
Grant me long life.
Grant me peace.
Grant me elevation of my consciousness.
Grant me the ability to use my own hands.
Eshu I salute you.
The second prayer is as follows:
Owner and Elder of the crossroads.
My father, remove all evil, for us to walk in peace,
loss is no more,
tragedy is no more,
sickness is no more,
death is no more,
unforeseen evil is no more,
in the name of all children in this house.
I give you thanks, my father Elegba.
Prayers can be sung or spoken and can be done so with or without drums.
Elegua: A Loyal and Protective Orisha
Elegua is a powerful Orisha who holds great importance in the Yoruba religion and its diaspora. He is known for his mischievous nature, but he can also be a loyal and protective guide for those who worship him. Elegua’s significance lies in his ability to open and close pathways, representing the choices and opportunities in our lives. By honoring Elegua, followers hope to receive his blessings and guidance on their spiritual journey.
