Yemaya, Ocean Mother Goddess

Mother Yemaya

Yemaya is the goddess who gave birth to the fourteen Yoruba Orishas (gods and goddesses), and the breaking of Her uterine waters caused a flood which created the world's oceans. The African diaspora spread Her worship throughout the Caribbean, and into Brazil. She was blended with Mary as Our Lady of Regla, and Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. In Cuba She is Yemaya, in Trinidad; Emanjah, in Brazil Yemanja, in Haiti; Agwe, in New Orleans; La Balianne.

Yemaya means, "She Who's Children are the Fish". The cowrie shell is Her symbol, and Her colors are blue, white, and silver. She is often depicted as wearing a dress with 7 layers representing the seven seas. She is also depicted as a mermaid. She has several feast days: December 31, February 2, Summer Solstice, September 7, and it is said there are others.
Devotees also make offerings to Her with flowers and sending votive boats out to sea (this is also a common offering for the Egyptian Goddess Isis, and Mother Ganga in India as well). In Brazil on December 31 offerings of candles (candelaria) are lit on the beach at midnight. It is a good omen for the coming year, if She accepts your boat and carries it out to sea.

This is Her traditional song:

Yemaya Assesu, Assesu Yemaya
Yemaya Assesu, Assesu Yemaya
Yemaya Olodo, Olodo Yemaya
Yemaya Olodo, Olodo Yemaya

The song celebrates the river meeting the sea.........

Celia Cruz sings to Yemaya: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4pyJ9Df27E