VODOU LWA/ VOODOO SPIRITS AND CATHOLIC SAINT COUNTERPARTS
The Vodou Lwa, Voodoo Spirits and their Catholic Saint counterparts.
Why were the Vodou Lwa Synchronized? They became syncretized when the spirits they came to the new world and found it's way too the New Orleans Voodoo tradition by the Haitian Vodou religion? Since Louisiana was primarily Catholic need to protect their practice it made sense to add the spirits with the Catholic Saints. These are the most common Catholic Saints traditionally associated with the Vodou spirits. (All photos from Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans.)
The following overview of the Voodoo spirits and their Catholic counterparts are not intended to replace the history. Instead, this is to provide a general concepts as to which Catholic Saints the Vodou Lwa are most closely associated with due to the African diaspora (slave trade)
Voodoo and the Catholic Saints:
In New Orleans, many traditional Voodoo altars are decorated with Catholic saints. This is because, to avoid persecution, many practitioners would syncretized the Lwa and Orisha with their saints. This practice has also led to the incorrect belief that Voodoo is descended from Catholicism, even though the African religions it is based on predate Christianity by thousands of years. Here are some of the more sought after and renowned Vodou Lwa/spirit and their Catholic Saint counterparts for you to use. Spells and Rituals. Here are a few from Haitian, New Orleans, Puerto Rican spirituality) or 21 Divisiones with their saints.
Papa Legba, the Divine Messenger and Road Opening, Saint Counterpart St. Peter.
Papa Legba, the Divine Messenger and Road Opening, Saint Counterpart St. Lazarus. (Haitian, )
Papa Legba, the Divine Messenger and Road Opening, Saint Counterpart St. Anthony. (New Orleans, Haitian)
Erzulie-Freda, the Lwa of Love & Passion. Saint Counterpart Mater Dolorosa.
Erzulie-Freda, the Lwa of Love & Passion. Saint Counterpart Our Lady of Sorrows.
Ogoun Badagris, the Warrior Spirit. Saint Counterpart St. James.
Ogoun Balendjo, the Warrior Spirit. Saint Counterpart St. Philip.
Ogoun Feray, the Warrior Spirit. Saint Counterpart St.
Agwe, Sovereign of the Sea. Saint Counterpart St. Ulric.
LaSiren, Divine Water Spirit, wife of Agwe, Sovereign of the Sea. Saint Counterpart Our Lady Star.
Ayizan, the Priestess. Saint Counterpart St. Lucy.
Lwa Damballah, the Father Lwa and wife, Ayida-Wedo. Saint Counterpart St. Patrick.
Erzulie-Dantor, the Great Mother Lwa. Saint Counterpart Our Lady.
Erzulie-Dantor, the Great Mother Lwa. Saint Counterpart Our Lady of Czestochowa (the Black Madonna)
Lwa Simbi, the Magi. Saint Counterpart St. Christopher.
Lwa Marassa, the Divine Twin. Saint Counterpart St. Cosmas & St. Damian.
Baron Samedi and the Ghede. Saint Counterpart St. Gerard.
Manman Bridgette and the Ghede. Saint Counterpart St. Catherine.
I sincerely hope you enjoyed this introduction on the Vodou Lwa, Voodoo Spirits and their Catholic Saint Counterparts.