Ritual Symbols of the Voodoo Spirits: Voodoo Veves
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The Ritual Symbols of Voodoo
A Veve is a religious symbol for a vodou "loa" (or lwa) and serves as their representation during rituals. In Haiti, the veve derives from the beliefs of the native Tainos. Most similar to the veve are the drawings of zemi or gods of the Taino religion.
Every Loa has his or her own unique veve, although regional differences have led to different veves for the same loa in a few cases. Sacrifices and offerings are usually placed upon them.
The veve is usually drawn on the floor by strewing a powder-like substance, such as cornmeal, wheat flour, bark, red brick powder, or gunpowder. The material depends entirely upon the rite.
I like to use these ritual symbols in my artwork. I incorporate them everywhere because they speak to me, each in a different way, each for a different reason.The veve in the introduction represents the Voodoo loa Papa Legba, who is the gatekeeper to the spirit world, remover of obstacles, and provider of opportunities. Below is one example of how I have incorporated his symbol into one of the t-shirt designs for one of my websites, Planet Voodoo.
The veves on this lens are my interpretations of these ancient and powerful symbols, and as such are protected by copyright law. Please do not use these designs without my permission.

Planet Voodoo Greeting Card by voodoomama
Every Loa has his or her own unique veve, although regional differences have led to different veves for the same loa in a few cases. Sacrifices and offerings are usually placed upon them.
The veve is usually drawn on the floor by strewing a powder-like substance, such as cornmeal, wheat flour, bark, red brick powder, or gunpowder. The material depends entirely upon the rite.
I like to use these ritual symbols in my artwork. I incorporate them everywhere because they speak to me, each in a different way, each for a different reason.The veve in the introduction represents the Voodoo loa Papa Legba, who is the gatekeeper to the spirit world, remover of obstacles, and provider of opportunities. Below is one example of how I have incorporated his symbol into one of the t-shirt designs for one of my websites, Planet Voodoo.
The veves on this lens are my interpretations of these ancient and powerful symbols, and as such are protected by copyright law. Please do not use these designs without my permission.

Planet Voodoo Greeting Card by voodoomama
Agasou, Patron Loa of the Home, Family, and Lineage
Agasou is an obscure Voodoo deity who is said to be the son of a divine being ( the spirit Kpo, a leopard) and a human (Princess Aligbono, daughter of the King of Tado). Agasou was the founder of the Dahomean Empire, and was elevated to the status of divine royal ancestor upon his death. Legend has it that Agasou brought Vodou across the waters to the children of Guinea in Haiti, with the help of a crab. Thus, the crab and the leopard are his totems.Agasou is the patron loa of the home, family, and lineage. He is the husband of Silibo Vavou, loa and founder of another lineage. Agasou's colors are white, gold, yellow, tan, and brown. His day of the week is Thursday, and his feast day is celebrated on August 25th. He is often represented with an image of St. Louis IX, King of France.
Reference
Kahulain, K. (2003). Demonbusters. WitchVox.com. Retrieved:
http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=cabc&c=whs&id=6211
Agassou, Patron Loa of the Home, Family, & Lineage by voodoomama
Design a custom stein At www.Zazzle.com

Agasou
Get Agasou's Veve on T-shirt

Manman Brigit
Manman Brigitte
A very powerful Lwa, Manman Brigit rules the Ghede and transitions of life and death, major life changes, cemeteries, money and children. Ma'man Brigit is invoked to cure those who are near death as a result of magick. She is known to be very wise, and swift to respond to petitions for help!
Manman Brigit Voodoo altar dolls are available at Planet Voodoo.
Manman Brigitte, Voodoo Loa of Cemeteries by voodoomama
Create a promotional mug On zazzle.com

Manman Brigit
Get Manman Brigit's Veve on Tshirt
Papa Legba
Guardian of the Crossroads
Papa Legba's Veve by voodoomama

Papa Legba Ladies Spaghetti Top by voodoomama
Browse more Legba T-Shirts

Papa Legba

Ayizan
Get Ayizan's Veve on Tshirt
Ogun, Patron Loa of Fire, War, and the Unemployed
This photo of Ogun appeared in 2008 on National Geographic's Taboo, on an episode called "Extreme Rituals". Ogun Voodoo altar dolls are available at Planet Voodoo.
Ogun, Patron Loa of Fire, War, & the Unemployed by voodoomama
Create custom mugs On Zazzle.com

Ogun Badagris
Baron Samedi
Baron Samedi stands at the crossroads, where the souls of dead humans pass on their way to Guinee. As well as being the all-knowing loa of death, he is a sexual loa, frequently represented by phallic symbols. He is noted for disruption, obscenity, debauchery, and for having a particular fondness for tobacco, especially Pall Mall cigarettes, money, and white rum. The Baron's ceremonial foods included grilled peanuts, black coffee, and bread. One of his favorite drinks is rum in which 21 hot peppers has been steeped. Baron Samedi is also the loa of sex and resurrection.
Voodoo altar dolls and more about Baron Samedi are available at Planet Voodoo.
Baron Samedi by voodoomama

The Guede Barons by voodoomama

Planet Voodoo Skateboard - Baron Samedi by voodoomama

Baron Samedi

Erzulie Dantor
Veves Link List
- Veve - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- A Veve or Vévé [alternately spelled beybey] is a religious symbol for a vodou "loa" (or lwa) and serves as their representation during rituals. ...
- Veve
- Glossary definition for Veve. ... Curiously, the Veve is similar to the Hindu Kolams, symbols drawn in rice flour for the Hindu deities. ...
- Veve
- Glossary definition for Veve. ... The ability to draw a Veve correctly is considered to be the skill of an initiate. A veve is believed to be more powerful ...
- Vèvès, Ritual Symbols
- Nowadays it is enough to display a vèvè to indicate a link to Vodoun culture. Ironically this sacred writing was not meant for illustration. ...
- Voodoo Veves
- Here is a list of some of the resources used for this website. It includes a bibliography, web resources, and general links of interest.
Voodoo Veves on Amazon
Erzulie Freda
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Aug 31, 2010 @ 6:29 pm | delete
- Thumbs up!
Great lens... very informative. Thanks for the good read.
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Intuitive
Apr 29, 2010 @ 7:18 am | delete
- Great way to explain and show the veves! Blessed by a squid angel. :)
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spirituality
Dec 18, 2009 @ 10:12 am | delete
- Gosh: voodoo mandalas ;) Great lens, blessed by a squidangel :)
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