Ogoun

Ogoun (also Ogún, Ogou) is a major lwa or spirit in Haitian Vodou and a prominent Orisha in Yoruba-derived traditions such as Candomblé and Santería. He embodies iron, war, labor, and technology. In Haitian Vodou, Ogoun is not a single spirit but a family of warrior-smithing lwa represented by several aspects, including Ogou Fer, Ogou Badagri, and Ogou La Flambeau. Each aspect emphasizes different traits—courage, forging, or fire—and is honored in distinct rites.

He is closely associated with metalworking, tools, and machinery, and people call on him to protect communities, clear obstacles, grant strength, and aid progress in crafts and industry. Offerings commonly include red and blue cloth, rum or beer, cigars, and meals, with drums and chants that imitate the clanging of metal.

Iconography portrays Ogoun as a strong, armed figure, often shown with a machete, axe, or sword, and sometimes with a forge or anvil. Color associations vary by aspect, but red and blue are common. In many traditions, Ogoun is syncretized with Catholic saints, notably Saint Peter and Saint James, reflecting his roles in metalwork and warfare.

In Yoruba religion and its Afro-Caribbean expressions, Ogun remains a principal Orisha, guardian of iron, war, and labor, and a symbol of resilience and the transformative power of work.