Lemanjá - the goddess of the sea

Lemanjá is among the Brazilian culture, customs, and etiquette that you should be aware of. Every year, across the country, Brazilians of the Candomblé religion gather to celebrate the goddess of the sea, Iemanjá. During the festivities, Brazilians offer flowers and gifts to their goddess Iemanjá at the sea’s edge and send them out to her in the ocean. Everyone dresses in white and night-long music and dancing continue after the offerings have been made.

Lemanjá, goddess (or orixá) of the sea, is a central deity in the Candomblé religion. She watches over sailors and fishermen and controls their catches. She is very powerful, and is concerned with every aspect of womanhood, fertility, and family; she is also the protector of children. She often is depicted as a mermaid and is always dressed in either white or blue. In Rio de Janeiro, Festa de Iemanjá is celebrated on January 1, when New Year’s Eve revelers of all religions wear white, run into the sea and jump over seven waves to get closer to the goddess. Many also throw flowers into the sea and offer presents from the shore.