iré

Íré is a term in Yoruba language and Afro-diasporic spiritual traditions that refers to fortune, destiny, or the favorable outcomes one experiences in life. In Yoruba usage, íré denotes the good or beneficial results that arise from the alignment of a person’s actions with the cosmic order, and it is closely linked to a person’s life path and potential.

In Yoruba cosmology, íré operates alongside other core concepts such as ase (the life force that enables action) and ori (one’s inner head or spiritual essence). A person’s íré is believed to be influenced by personal conduct, choices, and divine alignment, and it can be cultivated or impeded through ritual practice, prayer, and ethical living. When misalignment occurs, rituals, offerings, and divination may be employed to restore or attract better íré.

Practices associated with íré include ceremonies, initiation rites, and offerings to ancestors or Orisha in traditional Ifá and related systems. Divination guides individuals on steps to preserve or improve their íré, helping to identify obstacles and opportunities in various aspects of life, such as health, wealth, relationships, and success in endeavors. The concept also travels with the Yoruba diaspora, where it informs practices in Candomblé, Santería, and other Afro-Caribbean and Afro-B Brazilian communities, often described in local terms but retaining the core idea of destined or favorable outcomes.

Íré, therefore, is a foundational concept describing the fortune or destiny a person can realize, shaped by fate and agency within Yoruba-informed spiritual thought. See also: ase, ori, Ifá, Yoruba religion.