Who are Saint George and Ogum?

Saint George is one of the most important and venerated saints of Catholicism. Saint George is a born warrior. On the other hand, there is Ogum that is an orixá and is also represented by the figure of a warrior. Both Saint George and Ogum carry with them similar characteristics, precisely because the figure that represents both is the warrior. The one who does not run away from any battle.

Saint George represents the one who dominated evil, who battled for other people, for war. Ogum is an entity that has African origins, worshipped in religions such as Umbanda. Ogum is an orixá known for being a warrior and not abandoning his causes.

Saint George and Ogum are seen as warriors and known for their courage, strength, steadfastness and fighting. Learn more about both of them below:

Getting to know Ogum

Ogum is an orixá, an entity that has African origins. In addition, Ogum is a polarization of energy condensed already in the earth, in nature. Ogum is seen in Umbanda as a fearless warrior, even violent. In Brazil, he is very much worshiped, as can be seen below.

Origin of Ogum

Ogum is the orixá who invented the creation of the world. Ogum opened the way for other orixás, he opened roads. For this reason, Ogum is also known as the pathfinder orixá. Ogum is the pathfinder and chief of warriors. He is serious, strong, just, temperamental and has an aversion to lies.

Ogum is the lord of the paths, of technology, he is also the protector of blacksmiths, builders and soldiers. In addition, Ogum has African origins and is rooted in Yoruba tradition.

Ogum in Brazil

In Brazil, the orixá Ogum is worshipped mainly in Umbanda, one of the most accepted orixás by people. This is due to the religious syncretism between Saint George and Ogum. In Brazil, it was not possible to worship some traditions, among them the Yoruba tradition.

The tradition has as characteristics elements and energies of nature and consequently they were seen as gods and thus, these gods are taken as orixás. In this way, the Africans worshiped these elements because it is part of their teaching.

However, when they arrive in Brazil their owners do not accept that they worship their belief, so they begin to make comparisons of the history of the saints of Catholicism with the history of Yoruba tradition. From this, they worship these images, and in the case of St. George brings certain devotion through the saints of Catholicism that represented each orixá, specifically, orixá Ogum.

Domains of Ogum

Ogum's domains are strongly influenced by his essence: of a warrior. Therefore, he has as his main domain the war, the conquest, the fight. Ogum is also considered the lord of iron, technology and agriculture. In addition, he represents paths and is always ready for the battle, for the fight.

Besides Ogum being an orixá that represents the battle, the conquest he has the strength of a true warrior and has fighting instinct, sometimes can even be aggressive and violent.

Offering

When thinking of an offering to Ogum, one must think about what he likes. This is the only way to please this strong and fearless orixá. Ogum likes drinks, fruits and good food. His drink is beer; the fruits are: pineapple, red guava, watermelon, pitanga.

Ogum also likes red, white and blue candles.

Fire Element

Ogum has fire as its element, and fire represents heat, virility, willpower. From this, fire is also linked to energy, initiative, leadership and aggressiveness. It is a strong element and can also be violent.

Like Ogum, he carries with him the energy of fire to face his enemies and his battles. In addition, Ogum is seen as a fearless warrior who will face anything and everything if necessary, but in a very fair and honest way because Ogum is fair and honest.

Symbol

Ogum does not run away from the fight and is a born warrior, so he has as symbols: swords, shield and iron tools, knives, shovels, axe, bracelets, bow and arrow. The symbols of Ogum are related to the battle, it is symbols that represent strength, aggressiveness, what is even violent.

With these weapons in hand, Ogum does not lose a battle, and his strength is seen wherever he goes. He opens paths and protects his children from any enemy. A curiosity about Ogum: it was he who made the first tools used in agriculture, such as the hoe.

Animal

For the Yoruba culture each orixá is connected to one or more animals. It is worth mentioning that Umbanda does not accept the practice of slaughtering animals for rituals. So, the animal that has the protection of the orixá Ogum is the dog - besides being an excellent companion, friend, guardian he has a very strong loyalty.

Thus, it can be said that Ogum's pet is the dog. The dog is well known in Brazil for being a domestic animal.

Color

In Umbanda, the color of Ogum is red. The color is associated with struggle, energy, life. In addition, it is a warm color that represents strength and dynamism. The colors of each orixá were not established by him, but by his followers.

The color chosen for the orixá Ogum was chosen based on his personality and also according to his intrinsic energy. The color of each orixá is important because it is through this color and energy that the human being can connect even more with his orixá. Besides being seen in offerings.

Day of the week

The day of the week that Ogum is celebrated is on Tuesdays, which is the best day to make an offering and give it to Ogum. For Umbanda, Tuesdays are the day to worship the entity Ogum, Lord of the Paths and of War.

So, it is the orixá that rules Tuesdays. On this day, it is relevant to salute the orixá and offer foods that he likes, like manioc flour mixed in dendê and roasted cattle ribs. Below is Ogum's lucky number and his salutation.

Number

Ogum's lucky number is 7. Ogum's numerology is associated to his archetype. His archetype is courage.

Ogum is one of the oldest gods in Yoruba tradition and because he has a strong connection with metals, irons and those who use them, without Ogum's protection and permission no activity would be possible.

So, he is the first one that opens paths for other orixás, besides that, he carries the number 7, which represents energy, transformation, law, order.

Salute

A salutation is a form of greeting, it can be both in gesture and in word. So, to salute Ogum, god of the orixá, one can make these three salutations: Ogum Yê ô Oguchê or Ogum Lê.

Thus, it becomes important to salute Ogum because he is an orixá who taught man how to work iron and steel. Elements that help man deal with nature. In addition, it is possible to salute Ogum by saying: Salve Ogum.

Characteristics of the sons of Ogum

Ogum has particular characteristics such as: strong temperament, aggressiveness, serious appearance, can be brave and furious at the same time. From this, the characteristics of the sons and daughters of Ogum are similar to their father, as we shall see below.

Characteristics of the sons of Ogum

The characteristics of the sons of Ogum: they do not forgive easily the offenses of others; they are not very demanding in food, nor with the clothes they wear; they are companions and friends, however, they are always involved with demands.

They are people who have a strong competitive spirit, and are very determined. The sons of Ogum are courageous and face any mission. On the other hand, they are rude and frank, sometimes bordering on rudeness. But when they realize they have made a mistake, they recognize it and are open to new ideas and opinions, as long as they are coherent and precise.

No son of Ogum is born balanced, this is because of his strong temperament. His biggest flaw is his strong temper and sometimes impossible to deal with. The following are the characteristics of the daughters of Ogum.

Characteristics of the daughters of Ogum

The characteristics of the daughters of Ogum are: practical and restless. They are truthful and never speak behind someone's back, they do not like injustice and lies to the weakest. They are authoritative and do not depend on anyone to win their battles and their difficulties, as they grow up they free themselves and accommodate their needs.

The biggest fault of Ogum's daughters is their strong character and temperament. However, their greatest quality is to be a fighter and winner. They are also calculating and strategic. Next we will see how the sons and daughters of Ogum are in love.

Sons of Ogum in love

The children of Ogum in love are serious and at the same time fun. The fact that they are like this arouses attraction and interest in the other person. However, they cannot stay long in a relationship, only if they are very much in love. Thus, they cannot stick to only one person.

Because of his strong genius there can be frictions in the relationship, but these frictions can be solved by talking and understanding each other's point of view. The sons of Ogum in love are very intense, mainly because their element is fire and its color is red. It brings energy and intensity.

Getting to know São Jorge

Saint George is a saint of Catholicism. In addition, he is also known as George of Cappadocia. He has the figure of a warrior and carries a sword in his fist and a shield to defend himself. The following is his origin and his domains.

Origin of Saint George

Saint George belonged to a noble Christian family. Saint George is one of the most venerated saints of the Catholic Church and Christianity and has Turkish origin. In addition, Saint George is seen as a warrior because he defended Christians and those who suffered violence, brutalities, defended the most needy.

So much so that he was a Roman soldier and came into conflict with the emperor because he protected the weakest. He is a saint whose characteristics are sweetness and benevolence, even though he is a warrior. He cannot stand injustice and has some particular domains, as we shall see below.

Domains of Saint George

The domains of Saint George are: the spear and the sword. Saint George is educated and his clothing represents humility, faith and courage. He is a saint, but a true knight. His domain is the discipline of a soldier.

Apart from that, the battle against the dragon represents the fears, vices, envy, enemies, what can be harmful. But Saint George as a born warrior defeats the dragon and shows that he can defeat the enemy with mastery. Therefore, it becomes relevant to walk armed and dressed with the virtues of Saint George.

Saint George and Ogum

As seen above, Saint George and Ogum are represented by the same figure, that of a warrior. With this, both have particularities and similarities. This occurs because they are fruits of a religious syncretism, as seen below:

What is religious syncretism?

Religious syncretism means mixing two or more religions that oppose each other but have similarities. That is, when one or more religious beliefs come together, without leaving their doctrine and their original basic characteristics.

In Brazil, this religious syncretism can be seen in the syncretism between Saint George, a much revered Catholic saint, and Ogum, an Umbanda orixá - which has the Yoruba tradition. So, in the religious syncretism between Catholics and Umbanda it becomes possible to celebrate both Saint George and Ogum, even because both are celebrated on the same day.

Similarity between Saint George and Ogum

The main similarity between Saint George and Ogum is that both are represented by the figure of a brave warrior. Another similarity is that both are associated with battles and fighting.

Saint George, this warrior saint with this orixá energy, of Ogum. Because they have this same energy, they are celebrated together, both by Catholics and Umbandists.

Saint George and Ogum Day

April 23 is celebrated the day of St. George, or the warrior saint and for the Yoruba energy is celebrated the day of Ogum, mainly by syncretism of Umbanda. In the process of religious syncretism between the two, St. George came to be admired and worshiped as orixá Ogum, warrior.

So, it is the representation of this energy for him having gone through this and for him being a warrior, in the explanation of Catholicism. From this, it is commemorated on the 23rd of April of Saint George and of Ogum. On this day, the most important thing is to remember this energy because both are together within the same purpose and unity.

Prayer to Saint George and Ogum

Prayers to Saint George and Ogum are prayers related to battle and struggle. They are great to open paths, achieve goals, feel more confident and protected. The following are two prayers: to Saint George and to Ogum.

Prayer to Saint George

"Oh, my Saint George, holy warrior and protector

With his courage, his sword and his shield

That represents the struggle, hope and faith

Give me the courage to face my fears

Oh, glorious Saint George

Give me wisdom to deal with the unforeseen events of life

And may my enemies not overtake me

Oh, my Saint George, holy warrior and protector

Protect me from the wickedness of the world

Water my heart with love and faith

Walk with me side by side

Oh, my Saint George, holy warrior and protector

In this very difficult moment of my life

I ask you that my request be granted

That with his strength, his sword and his power of defence

May I cut off all the evil and all the bad energy that is in my way

Amen."

Prayer to Ogum

"Oh, Father Ogum

I ask you to keep evil spirits from my path

Oh, Father Ogum

May my paths open up

And may my journey be beautiful

Oh, Father Ogum

Point the way to our higher self

Oh, Lord of War

Give me the strength and wisdom to face life's challenges

Let love warm my heart

And faith occupy my whole being

Oh, Father Ogum

Protect me from all enemies

And open my ways to the new

Ogum Ye, Ogum Ye, Ogum Ye"

São Jorge and Ogum is the same entity?

As seen throughout the article, one can better understand who is Saint George, warrior saint of Catholicism, and who is Ogum, warrior orixá of Umbanda. Saint George and Ogum are born of a religious syncretism, between Catholicism and Yoruba tradition. Therefore, they are celebrated on the same day, April 23.

However, they are not the same entity. However, both are represented by the figure of a warrior. The essence and energy are the same, both are characterized by struggle, battle, firmness and strength. But it is not the same entity. Finally, Saint George is a Catholic saint and Ogum is an African god. But because they have similar characteristics it is easy to get confused and think they are the same entity.