Orishá Ossian

About ORISHÀ OSSAIN

Orishá Ossain, also known as Osanyin, Ossanha, or Osain, is a significant deity in the Yoruba, Candomblé, and Santería religions. He is considered the keeper of the ashé (power, vitality, energy) that resides in specific herbs. His sacred words and permissions are necessary for the efficacy of rituals and ceremonies involving plants​​.

Ossain's influence in a person's life is diverse and profound. He imbues individuals with a deep connection to nature and its healing powers. As a deity of plants and herbs, he instills an appreciation for the natural world and its medicinal and spiritual properties. His role as a protector offers security against spiritual and physical maladies. In terms of personality traits, individuals influenced by Ossain tend to be joyful, independent, cautious, and reserved. They are often talented in craftsmanship, have a strong inclination towards religiosity, and possess a deep understanding of both physical and mental 

About the ORISHÁ 

Roles and 
Influence

  • God of Plants and Herbs: Ossain has dominion over all plant life, from the grandest trees to the humblest herbs.
  • Healer: Utilizing his extensive plant knowledge, Ossain heals illnesses and ailments.
  • Master of Medicine: He is considered a master of both physical and spiritual healing.
  • God of Magic: Ossain is also linked with the magical properties of plants.
  • Patron of Herbalists and Healers: He is the patron deity for those who use plants for healing or magical purposes.
  • Provider of Protection: Through his knowledge, Ossain offers protection against evil spirits, negative energies, and illnesses.
  • Connector of Human and Natural World: Ossain bridges the gap between humans and nature.
  • Keeper of Wisdom: He holds the wisdom of how to use every part of a plant for various purposes.
  • Spirit of Nature: Ossain embodies the wild, untamed aspects of the natural world.
  • Guardian of Sacred Leaves: He is especially associated with the leaves of plants, considered potent for healing and magic​​.

Characteristics and Symbolism

  • Symbol: "Arm of the Pestle", a staff surrounded by seven spears with a bird at the top, representing the power of trees and plants.
  • Colors: Greenish white, Yellow, Brown.
  • Natural Places: Clearings in the forest.
  • Flowers: Meadow flowers.
  • Essences: All.
  • Stones: Emerald.
  • Metal: Tin.
  • Health: Associated with bone problems, rheumatism, arthritis.
  • Weekday: Thursday.
  • Element: Bushes, forest leaves and roots, wild plants​​.

Key Manifestations (Aspects)

Ossain manifests in dozens of  aspects, including

  • Agbenigi - Associated with the mysteries of birds and spells. Connected to the night and darkness. Linked Orishás: Iyami Osorongá and Eshu.
  • Agué - Wears pink clothing with green beads. Linked Orishás: Oyá and Oshumarê. Agué is the Vodun (Orishá) of hunting and forests, identified through the Merindilogun game with the Odu Iká, and represented materially and immaterially by the sacred shrine called Igba Agué in Jeje-Nago culture.  Agué possesses qualities that bring him closer to the Orishás Oshóssi, but above all to Ossaim.
  • Aroni - Elder Ossain, associated with death and sorcery. He has shrines with Exu. He wears dark green with red stripes. Linked Orishás: Eshu and Oyá Igbalé.
  • Ossaim Atulá - Ossaim is connected to the sun rays in the forest. He is closely related to the Funfun pantheon. He is dressed in white and wears a crystal crown on his head. He carries Peregun leaves with white lilies. His glass beads are in strands of 9 or 16, white with green stripes. Linked Orishá: Oshalufã.
  • Ossaim Birigã - This is the Ossaim who enchanted Odé Ygbô. Associated with the magical use of herbs.  He carries a branch of Peregun. Linked Orishá: Odé Ygbô (Osewê).
  • Ossaim Gayaku - Young and agile Ossaim. He is the Ossaim who lives in the treetops. Invoked in Ipadê. Linked Orishá: Odé.
  • Ossaim Miró - Ossaim most closely associated with the sacred leaves of the Orixá cult.  Linked Orixá: Irokô.
  • Ossaim Modun - Ossaim is a sorcerer connected to death and the Jeje deities. Related to the spirits of the forests. Linked Orishás: Nanã and Omolu.
  • Ossaim Mokossu - Ossaim associated with the use of herbal smoke and tobacco leaves. Also connected to herbal drinks. Linked Orishá: Eshu.
  • Ossaim Serebuá - Ossaim connected to the mystery of herbs and their liturgical use.
  • Catendê (Katende) - In Bantu mythology, she is an Inquise (Vodun, Orishá) of leaves, agriculture, and knowledge, equivalent to the Orishá Ossaim. She color is green.

Sign-Up for free to your Weekly Newsletter.

Illustrations of the Orishá

Wir benötigen Ihre Zustimmung zum Laden der Übersetzungen

Wir nutzen einen Drittanbieter-Service, um den Inhalt der Website zu übersetzen, der möglicherweise Daten über Ihre Aktivitäten sammelt. Bitte überprüfen Sie die Details in der Datenschutzerklärung und akzeptieren Sie den Dienst, um die Übersetzungen zu sehen.