Body parts in Santeria

Body Parts and Spiritual Centers

1. Orí

   • English: One’s spiritual head or inner destiny; the divine consciousness that guides purpose and alignment.

   • Lukumí / Notes: Core of personal success and protection; honored through head-feeding rituals (rogación de cabeza) to keep one’s path aligned.

2. Inú

   • English: The inner self or emotional heart; represents internal state, will, and sincere feeling.

   • Lukumí / Notes: Balance of the inú is essential to spiritual health and emotional integrity.

3. Ọ̀fọ̀

   • English: The mouth/speech in its sacred aspect: words carrying aché (spiritual power), able to bless or curse.

   • Lukumí / Notes: Proper use of ọ̀fọ̀ is crucial; prayers, declarations, and spoken intent draw power from it.

4. Ẹ̀sẹ̀

   • English: Feet; symbolize one’s spiritual path, foundation, and grounding.

   • Lukumí / Notes: Cleansing and alignment of the ẹ̀sẹ̀ reflect stability in one’s journey.

5. Ọwọ́

   • English: Hands; instruments of action, creation, healing, and offering.

   • Lukumí / Notes: Should be ritually clean when doing sacred work; channel and transmit energy.

6. Ọkàn

   • English: Heart in the emotional or inner consciousness sense.

   • Lukumí / Notes: Governs internal affection and moral compass; tied to emotional wellbeing.

7. Ẹ̀jẹ̀

   • English: Blood; carrier of aché and ancestral connection.

   • Lukumí / Notes: Highly sacred; appears in offerings and symbolizes life force and lineage.

8. Ojú

   • English: Eyes; associated with vision, perception, and spiritual insight.

   • Lukumí / Notes: Represent clarity to see both physical and spiritual truth.

9. Ẹnu

   • English: Mouth as expression—related to speech and communication.

   • Lukumí / Notes: Linked with ọ̀fọ̀; what is spoken shapes reality.