Ayao

Ayao is a minor orisha in the Lucumi/Santeria pantheon. She is the orisha of the air. Ayao is considered to reside in both the forest and in the eye of the tornado. She works closely with Osain and is a fierce warrior. Ayao has among her implements a crossbow with a serpent, a quill and nine stones. She is commonly placed next to her sister, Oya or on the boveda. Her colors are brown and green. 
Ayao's cult in Lucumi had been thought to be lost among various adherents. However, a growing number of olorichas have her in their possession. Some individuals remove the crossbow from Oya's crown and place it in Ayao's receptacle.
Category:Brazilian mythology
Category:Yoruba goddesses
Category:Death goddesses
Category:Fertility goddesses
Category:Fire goddesses
Category:Sky and weather goddesses
Category:Sea and river goddesses
Category:Magic goddesses
Category:Underworld goddesses
Category:War goddesses
Category:Thunder goddesses
Category:Commerce goddesses