Yemoja, Yemanja, Yemonja, Yemalla, Yemana, Ymoja, Iamanje, Iemonja, Imanje

Illustration from "African Tattoo Designs" by Yeye Siju Osunyemi (c)2007

These are different spellings for the deity of the Oceans. She is known as the ‘Mother of All’. Among the Yoruba she is known as Yeye Omo Eja, ‘Mother Whose Children are the Fish’. She is particularly protective of pregnant women and children. Yemoja gave birth to fifteen Orisha including the widely revered Ogun, Olokun, Babalu Aye and Shango.

She is consulted to cure infertility. She is usually represented as having prominent breasts and a fish tail. She rules the surface of the oceans whereas her close associate Olokun (often mistakenly identified as Yemoja’s masculine aspect) rules the depths of the sea. Her number is seven, colors are blue and white. Peacocks and ducks are sacred to her.