What is an Eleke ceremony?

Elekes, also known as Collares, are one of the first initiations experienced when entering into Regla de Ocha, or the Lucumí tradition. The Elekes ceremony involves a Godparent consecrating the necklaces and giving them Ashé through a series of ritual songs, baths, and sacrifices (Ebo).

What is Oshun Eleke?

This 14” – 24” (depending on your selection) Oshun beaded necklace was handmade by me using high-quality glass seed beads. Other lengths can be made to order. Oshun is the deity of the river and freshwater, luxury and pleasure, sexuality and fertility, and beauty and love. She is connected to destiny and divination.

What black beads symbolize?

Black beads are believed to symbolize the ability to hold onto hope in the face of adversity and also to be positive in unhappy times. By keeping hope and keeping the faith when the going gets tough, you think something great could come out of it.

What does it mean to receive Olokun?

Olokun also signifies unfathomable wisdom. That is, the instinct that there is something worth knowing, perhaps more than can ever be learned, especially the spiritual sciences that most people spend a lifetime pondering.

What does the Bible say about beads?

In fact, the Bible does not speak about prayer beads. Neither Jesus, not His disciples or the early church used prayer beads. Furthermore, the nation of Israel in the Old Testament was not commanded or instructed to use prayer beads.

What do brown beads mean?

Brown or wooden beads represent Mother Earth and have grounding effects. This color stands for stability, reliability and warmth.

What do green beads mean?

Green mala beads Green is a color of personal growth and opportunity. This color represents prosperity, growth and healing, as well as loving energy due to its connection to the heart chakra. Green aventurine​: increases optimism, brings joy, promotes determination and perseverance.

What does Yemaya represent?

​Yemaya is a mother goddess, the goddess of home, fertility, love and family. Like water she represents both change and constancy bringing forth life, protecting it, and changing it as is necessary. ​According to legend, Yemaya’s first gift to her beloved humans was a sea shell in which her voice could always be heard.

What kind of beads are used in Santeria?

The beads in the tradition of Santeria (also referred to as La Regla de Ocha or Lukumi) are called Elekes, or collares. These beaded necklaces are ritually prepared and ceremonially given to devotees.

What does the bead necklace represent in Elegua?

Eleguá’s eleke (beaded necklace) consists of one red bead, one black bead, in a repeated pattern. The color and design of the necklace represent life and death, war and peace, the beginning and end of all things.

What does the string of beads in Vodun mean?

In the context of Vodun and derivative systems, it is a string of beads that represents Vodun itself or a Spirit or Deity within or syncretized with the system. They can be dedicated to one or multiple Spirits, including one’s ancestors.

What does the beaded necklace of the Orishas mean?

A beaded necklace that has not been ritually washed or fed is nothing more than jewelry. The elekes are the banners of the orishas and they serve to place that person under their protection. The ceremony of the elekes involves ritual bathing of the initiate and a koborí eledá ( rogación de cabeza ).