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Eshu
Also known as: Elegua, Elegba, Exu, Legba
By Elizabeth Stein for Mythos Atlas. About the author. Editorial notes are grounded in the site's cited sources and can be challenged through the contact page.
Interactive 3D representation
About Eshu
The Keeper of the Crossroads
Eshu is one of the most important yet most misunderstood Orishas. As the guardian of the crossroads, he stands at every point of decision. Nothing reaches the Orishas without passing through Eshu first, and no ritual can begin without his blessing.
First and Last
In all Yoruba rituals, Eshu must be honored first, before any other Orisha. To neglect him is to ensure that one's prayers will not be heard.
The Trickster
Eshu is famous for his tricks. In one famous story, he walked between two friends wearing a hat that was red on one side and black on the other. Each friend saw only one color, and they fell into a violent argument about what color the hat was, destroying their friendship.
Colonial Misunderstanding
When Europeans encountered Eshu, they mistook him for the devil because of his trickster nature and association with crossroads. This misinterpretation fundamentally misunderstands Eshu's role as a necessary divine force.
Origin Story
Eshu was one of the first Orishas created by Olodumare, given the crucial task of mediating between heaven and earth. He was positioned at the crossroads of existence, where all decisions are made and all prayers must pass.
Cross-Pantheon Parallels
Similar deities across different mythologies
Primary Sources
Historical texts and references
“Eshu, who turns right into wrong and wrong into right. The stone that trips the strong, the crumb that feeds the weak.”
Domains
crossroadscommunicationtricksterfatebeginnings
Symbols
crossroadscowrie shellsred and black colorswalking stickkeys