Saint Lazarus / Babalú Ayé: Orisha of Health, Illness, and Healing

Who is Babalú Ayé?

Babalú Ayé, also known as San Lázaro, Obaluayé, Azowano, or Shakpana, is the Orisha who governs diseases, plagues, and healing within the Yoruba religion.

His name comes from the Yoruba “Babàlúayé”, which means Father of the world, and represents both punishment and healing. He is one of the most respected and feared deities, as he has the power to send diseases… but also to remove them.

In nature, he hides during the day among:

• Ivy
• Coral grass
• Creeping charlie

And comes out at night, avoiding the sunlight.

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⚡ Origin and worship

The worship of Babalú Ayé comes from Dahomey (modern-day Benin), where he is known as:

• Azojuano (Azowano)
• King of Nupe
• Samponá or Sakpatá

These deities were directly associated with deadly diseases such as smallpox and leprosy.

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🩺 Powers of Babalú Ayé

• Controls diseases (smallpox, leprosy, infections)
• Represents human suffering
• Orisha of deep healing
• Protector of the sick and marginalized
• Channel of spiritual purification

👉 He is not an “evil” Orisha
👉 He is a just and extremely powerful Orisha

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🏺 Tools and attributes

His foundation is very specific:

• Frying pan or large flat container
• Covered with a gourd or semi-circular lid with holes
• In Arará: sealed with cement and decorated with cowrie shells
• In Lucumí: it is not sealed

Main attributes:

• 🐕 Two dogs (symbol of companionship and disease)
• 🩼 Crutches
• 🔔 Triangular bell

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🎨 Colors, number, and day

• Color: Purple (bishop)
• Number: 17
• Day: Friday
• Date: December 17
• Greeting: Jekúa Babalú Ayé Agrónica!

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✝️ Syncretism

He is syncretized with San Lázaro, one of the most revered figures in Cuba, especially in El Rincón.

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📿 Elekes of Babalú Ayé

• White beads with a blue line (the most commonly used)

• Also combinations with:

  • Red
  • Black (influence of Oyá)

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🧬🔹 Main known paths:

• Babalú Ayé Azojuano (Azowano)
• Babalú Ayé Sakpatá
• Babalú Ayé Shakpana
• Babalú Ayé Agrónica
• Babalú Ayé Afimayé
• Babalú Ayé Babá Arubó
• Babalú Ayé Nanú

👤 Characteristics of his children

• Spiritually strong people
• They have gone through suffering or trials
• Great capacity for endurance
• Very sensitive to the pain of others
• Spiritually protected, although marked by trials

🐕 Offerings to Babalú Ayé

• Toasted corn
• Beans
• Dry wine
• Bread
• Coconut
• Purple candles

👉 Always with respect. He is not a “light” Orisha.

📖 Deep spiritual meaning

Babalú Ayé represents a hard truth:

👉 Illness as a path of evolution

Where there is pain, there is learning.
Where there is suffering, there is transformation.

He is the Orisha who teaches humility, faith, and endurance.

🛍️ Everything for Babalú Ayé at Inshe Miami

Find everything you need to serve Babalú Ayé: tools and foundations, elekes and accessories, ritual products, candles, herbs, and offerings.

View the entire Babalú Ayé collection

📚 You may also be interested in

• Yoruba calendar: days of the Orishas and festivals
• Oyá (Yansá): Orisha of the winds and transformations
• Day of Inle: history, symbols, and prayer

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