Santeria, what are the color of the beads and meanings?

Ok, well these answers are coming from someone who knows a lot about Santeria. Red and white represent Shango. Black and red represent Eleggua. White and blue represent Yemaya (represents the sea). Yellow represents Oshun. Black and green represent Oggun. Obatala is represented by the color white. Those are just a few; the most popular saints.

Santeria Beads

There is no meaning in the colour of beads, other than what YOU ascribe to them. This usually is an indication of what you were taught. This comes from the culture you grow up in. Everyone does it this way, so you do it that way too. This has been going on for centuries. It does not mean that these meanings are correct; only that this is the way WE do things here. There are problems when you move to a new country and a new culture. Another culture does things differently, and then you are confused. New immigrants usually have a very hard time adjusting to their new home. Some never do — we know of families that are “strange” because they come from somewhere else. Some of the younger children will adjust very easily. However, the point is that it all depends where you are from. In some countries, white is a symbol of death and mourning. Why do brides wear white? Some cultures are so very confusing!! Because everyone knows that brides are to wear red. (well, you see how wars can start because we each believe we know what is right) You can decide what YOU want YOUR beads to mean. You might have to do some research in your family or religion to get some background. Or just go with whatever feeling you get with each colour. There are no rules — only the ones we make for ourselves. [oh, btw, you might have to explain your meanings to others so they know as well]

This Site Might Help You.RE:Santeria, what are the color of the beads and meanings?Different Santero beads and their colors along with their meanings…

What are orange and green beads for? Some random man gave it to a friend

Black and white

I would like to know what santo is green and yellow?

ELEGGUA – Is recognized as the keeper of the roads and the world. He is the gatekeeper that stands in the path of life and the celestial grounds. He is the interpreter or median between the Orishas, Humanity and “Olorum”, or in other words “God”. Eleggua has strong powers, without his authority nothing can be done in the celestial grounds or in the human society. The colors associated to this orisha or spiritual figure are Black and Red and the number associated to him is the number three. OLORUM – Is represented as the “Father” or God of the sky he is viewed as a God of tranquility, purity and harmony. He is normally and strongly linked with the color white and has power and control over all white elements such as the brain, bones, teeth, clouds and much more. OBATALA – Is known as the parent of the Orishas and all human kind. This spiritual being is known to be the creator of the world and is a strong enforcer of justice. Obatala is strongly associated with characteristics of Wisdom, Peace, Moral, Compassion, Ethics and Purity. The saint he represents is “Our lady of Mercy”. The colors that are associated with him are white but he is above all other colors in the spectrum and the number associated to his paths is the number eight as he is the parent or creator of the Orishas and Human Kind. Obtatala has a number of “Caminos” or “Paths”, eight of them are females and eight of them are males. YEMAYA – In Santeria Yemaya is the spirit of motherhood and is associated with the Ocean and the moon. She is commonly associated with “The Virgin of Regla” and Mary (Star of the Sea). Yemaya rules over maternity in our lives. In the practice of Santeria she is seen as the mother of all. The name YEMAYA is a short version of “Yey Omo Eja” which stands for “Mother of Fish”. This representation of Yemaya stands for all of the children that she has. Modern science has a theory that life began at the sea. When we are conceived we spend the first moments of our existence in our mothers wombs inside their amniotic fluids. We develop through all of the stages of maternal youth and transform from the Fetus stage form which can be viewed as a “fish” form and develop into human babies. Yemaya displays herself as the mother of all since she is the energy or power of all manifestations. Yemaya is like the oceans and the rivers she is deep and unknown but without a doubt caring and nurturing. Yemaya embodies all of the maternal characteristics and her colors are blue and white and her number is the number seven. She is also known to be the mother of all riches and the rules over the witches and secrets. She is viewed as the Orisha of mercy because she never betrays her children. OYA – Oya is the overseer of the winds and the gatekeeper of the cemetery. She is the governor of the dead or the “Egun”. She is a powerful warrior and embodies the natural forces of the Nigerian river, lightning and thunder. In the form of an animal she is viewed as the water buffalo and unlike other Orisha the water buffalo is not her familiar but her actual self. She is a shape shifter judging from her many manifestations. She provides her children or the people who worship her with the ability to change them selves. Her colors are maroon and white and the number nine is commonly associated which recalls her title of “Yansa” which translates to “mother of nine”. She is a strong warrior and rides to battle by Chango or “Shang”. Oya loves to dance and is the only orisha who has the courage to confront the spirit of the dead. BABALU AYE – Babalu is the orisha name for St.Lazarus. When the word Bablu Aye is translated it means “Father of the World” so he is commonly referred to as Father of the world. He is the Orisha who oversees all diseases and epidemics. In today’s society many of his followers pray to him for health and in many cases for the solution to a deadly disease like HIV and AIDS. The colors associated with Babalu are Brown, Black and Purple. He is an educator in humility and responsibility. He has compassion for those who are faithful to him but will scold those that are not humble to the needs of others with fatal or unexplained sickness. OCHOSI – Ochosi is normally associated with Saint Norbert. He is huntsman and represents heavenly justice and humanity. He works closely with Oggun to represent justice stability. He is a strong enforcer of perfection and he looks for “The Perfect” creature to present to the creator. He is represented by pureness and idealism and he is against all those who are rebels of justice and morality. He is represented as a male of unearthly beauty. His is represented through the color violet. Everything that is attributed to a huntsman lifestyle is associated with Ochosi. From a machete, to a fishing gear, cross bow or any type of hunting materials. He is associated with individuals who are smart, intelligent, alert and creative. Family oriented individuals and those who are ambitious and love taking a shot at any opportunities or chances.OGGUN – Effort and hard work are strongly represented by Oggun. He is attributed to the characteristics of violence, force and energy. He is an ironworker for the Orishas and he works around the clock without any rest. He is known for his strong temper and is also said that he can be dangerous. There are several tools thatt are attributed and represented by this Orisha: The Knife, The anvil, The pick, The chisel, The hammer, The Rake and The Spade and. These tools are kept in a black pot or cauldron. This black pot also holds 3 horseshoes. He is strongly associated with IRON but is also associated with work, minerals and metals.

CHANGO – Chango is probably one of the most recognized Orishas. He is represented by Fire, Thunder and Lightning. He has passion and virility. He is known to be a spirit of power and magnificent beauty and wisdom. Chango is courageous and a great witch. He is also a “flirt” or womanizer but also charming and very generous. His colors are white and red and the beads are made of 6 red beads followed by 6 white beads. Then the read bead will alternate with a white bad 6 times. This will be repeated until bead chain is complete. With his weapons he can create or destroy anything he desires.