Yemanja

I was raised closed to the Orishas, respecting and listening to them. Orishas if you don't know are deities: the African Gods and Goddesses. Yemanjá is the first goddess I will write about.

She is the essence of motherhood, the protector of children, fishermen and sailors, and most importantly, she is the sea itself. Gifts for Yemanjá often include images of the goddess, flowers and objects of female vanity (perfume, jewelry, combs, lipsticks, mirrors).
On December 31st, people dress in white and make their way to the seashore to leave her some gifts.Below you can see my sister, daughter and niece offering Yemanjá some flowers.

I was there too, just behind them, taking the picture above.

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Yemanjá's colors, like the Virgin Mary's, are white and blue.. An Orixá's favorite foods are often visually connected with his or her image and chosen colors, Yemanjá's special food are white, or very light in color (there are very few foods that are truly blue). Yemanjá prefers sweet foods as honeyed rice and sweet corn puddings essential parts of her festival on December 1st in Rio de Janeiro and February 2nd in Salvador, both are states in Brazil. She is said to be particularly fond of a sweet coconut-flavored milk jelly called manjar branco . She also enjoys puffed rice, and this snack is everywhere at her festival