Iansã (Oya) candle
Courage to change, the wind that sweeps away what weighs down, and the strength of Oyá on Wednesdays
Iansã candle
7-day candle · stays lit for 7 days7 dias
Those seeking the Iansã candle are almost always facing a turning point: a job that ended, a relationship that is stuck, a house with heavy air. It makes sense. Iansã, also called Oyá, is the wind that enters through the window and moves everything out of place. The candle with her label is lit in Umbanda, Candomblé, and Batuque to ask for the courage to change and the strength not to retreat in the middle of the path.
In the terreiro, Wednesday is her day, and December 4th is the great festival, because of the syncretism with Saint Barbara. The color varies from house to house. In Candomblé she wears red, coral, and brown; in part of Umbanda she appears in golden-yellow. Oyá carries the sword and the eruexim, the horsehair tail with which she leads the éguns, and, in myths, she is the orixá (orisha) who did not flee from the dead when the others retreated.
At home, this candle is not for peace. It stirs, opens windows, and moves what was standing still. Therefore, it suits those who have already decided to change and need breath, and not those seeking calm to think. For peace, the white one works better. And it is worth remembering: Oyá helps those who move along with her, not those who wait sitting down for the wind to do everything.
What is it for
What is the purpose of the Iansã Candle
Lit in coral-red, or in yellow in Umbanda houses that dress Iansã this way, this candle belongs to Oyá, mistress of the winds, of the lightning, and of the guidance of the dead. It is requested for courage, change of phase, and cleaning of a stagnant environment.
-
Take life from the place where it has stalled
When everything seems stuck for months, without invitation, without response, without an exit. The Oyá candle is lit to request movement and the willingness to take the first step yourself.
-
Courage to face a decision
Resigning, leaving a relationship, moving cities. Iansã is called by those who already know what they need to do and only lack the breath to do it.
-
Sweep away the weight of an environment
A house where fights repeat and the air feels thick. With the window open and the candle lit, the request is that the wind of Oyá takes away what is accumulated.
-
Protection for those who are at war
In a phase of dispute, envy at work, or persecution, the candle requests the sword of Iansã in front of you. She protects those who fight cleanly, without attacking anyone back.
-
Crossing a transition phase
End of a cycle, mourning, moving house. Oyá is the lady of the passages, and the candle accompanies those who are in the middle of the crossing and cannot yet see the other side.
Who rules this candle
Orixás and spirits of the Iansã Candle
-
Iansã (Oyá)
Queen of the winds, of the lightning, and of the éguns
Oyá governs the wind, the storm, and the passage of the dead, and has Wednesday as her day. The coral-red of the candle is that of her clothing in Candomblé, and the label is hers because it is the votive candle of the orixá.
Knowing Iansã (Oya)
Also settled for
- Caboclas of the Iansã line
- Saint Barbara (Catholic devotion)
- Matamba (inquice of Angola)
Prayer to light
Prayer of the Iansã candle to the lady of the winds
“My mother Oyá, mistress of the wind that asks no permission, I light this candle because I am tired of seeing my life stuck in the same place. Blow over my life and take away what has already died and I still carry out of fear. Lend me a bit of your courage so I can do what I know I need to do. If there is a fight in my path, let me enter it with my head held high and leave without having hurt anyone. Guard my house under your lightning and keep away from it what is not of light. May this flame stay lit like your wind: firm, clean, and always in motion. Eparrei, Oyá!”Light the candle and pray
Step by step
How to set the Iansã Candle
- 1
Choose Wednesday
Iansã's day is Wednesday. If the need is urgent on another day, light it anyway, but those who can wait usually start the candle on her day, preferably in the late afternoon.
- 2
Open the window before lighting
Iansã is wind, and still air does not suit her. Let the room be airy, but place the candle in a protected corner, where the current does not hit the flame directly.
- 3
Write what needs to change
On a piece of paper, clearly write the change you request. Fold it and place it under the saucer. Writing forces a decision, and Oyá responds better to those who know what they want.
- 4
Hail Oyá and make the prayer request
Light with a match, say Eparrei and state who the candle is for. Pray the prayer and ask in your own words. With Iansã, speak firmly and directly, without beating around the bush.
- 5
Place the flowers to the side
The red or yellow roses stay next to the saucer while the candle burns. Change the water if they wilt before the end and keep the sword leaf resting on the plate.
- 6
Finish without blowing
If you need to put it out, smother it with a saucer, never by blowing. At the end, the flowers go to the soil of a garden, the paper is carefully burned, and the leftover wax goes to the trash.
Precautions before lighting
- The 7-day candle requires a firm place, away from curtains, paper, and out of reach of children and animals. Ventilating the room is not the same as leaving the flame exposed to the wind.
- Iansã sends the éguns, but a lit candle at home is not to call the dead or speak with them. This ritual work belongs to the terreiro and to those with proper preparation.
- Consecrated foundation (assentamento), obrigação, and food offerings like acarajé follow the foundation of your house. Guidance comes from the zelador of the terreiro, not from the candle.
- Iansã protects those who fight cleanly. Do not light this candle to bring someone down, avenge a fight, or control another person's will.
Ceromancy
What the flame of the Iansã Candle shows
Traditional terreiro reading. Before interpreting, check if there is no wind, crooked wick, or poor quality candle.
- Good sign
Flame that dances high and vigorous
It is the most expected way for an Oyá candle to burn. Many houses read it as a sign that the request for movement was received with strength.
- Good sign
Crackles and small sparks
For many people in the terreiro, the crackling in the Iansã candle is her wind working and breaking something that was stuck. Check beforehand if the wick is dry.
- Attention
Low flame that almost disappears
It is usually read as resistance: the situation is more stuck than it seemed. Do not give up. Repeat the candle on the following Wednesday and reinforce the request.
- Attention
Wax that drips in tears
Some houses read it as sadness held in the request, perhaps a mourning still open. It is worth seeking a trusted terreiro to talk about this.
- Observe
Candle that goes out right at the beginning
Before thinking of a sign, see if a draft of air hit the flame directly. Adjust the location, light it again, and make the request again calmly.
Ritual bath and smoke cleansing (defumação)
Herbs that combine with the Iansã Candle
-
Iansã's Sword / Saint Barbara
Sansevieria trifasciata var. laurentii
The plant that bears her name. A leaf placed on the saucer or the pot near the door accompanies the candle. It is toxic: never use it in a ritual bath or tea.
See the herb -
Para-Raio / Saint Barbara
Melia azedarach
Tree linked to Iansã and Xangô. A branch of leaves next to the candle asks for Oyá's lightning to protect the house. The fruits are toxic and should not be used.
See the herb -
Rosa Vermelha
Rosa gallica
Oyá's flower in offerings. A few roses in a glass of water next to the candle are the simplest and most beautiful favor that can be made to her at home.
See the herb
Virtual Candle
Light the Iansã Candle now
Choose the type, write your request, and pay by PIX. The flame stays on the altar and you follow along through the link.
Place on the altarFrequently asked questions
Questions about the Iansã Candle
What is the color of the Iansã candle?
It depends on the house. In Candomblé, Iansã wears red, coral, and brown, and the candle comes in those colors. In part of Umbanda she appears in golden yellow. The votive candle with the Oyá label serves both, and the white one can substitute when the right color is missing.
What is the best day to light a candle for Iansã?
Wednesday, her day in most houses. December 4, the day of Saint Barbara, is the big celebration of the year. In case of need, nothing prevents lighting it on another day, but Wednesday remains the preferred one.
Can I light an Iansã candle at home?
You can, for requests of courage, movement, and cleansing of the environment. What remains for the terreiro is the ritual work with éguns and the firmeza of assentamento. At home, the candle is a prayer to the orixá, and any devotee can do this with respect.
Can I blow out the Iansã candle before it finishes?
The correct way is to let it burn until the end. If you need to leave the house, smother the flame with a saucer or a spoon and relight it when you return. Blowing is avoided because many houses understand that it undoes the prayer request.
What to do with the flowers and the leftover wax?
The roses go into the soil of a garden or a pot, as a thank you. The paper with the prayer request can be burned carefully on a plate. The leftover wax goes into the common trash, wrapped in paper, without being reused in another candle.
What is the difference between the Iansã candle and a common red candle?
The plain red candle is just the color, and serves Ogum (Ogun), Xangô (Shango), Pombagira, and Iansã according to the prayer request. The Iansã candle already comes with the Oyá label and is born with a specific purpose. For those who want to set the orixá, it is the most direct choice.
Are Iansã and Saint Barbara the same thing?
No. Saint Barbara is a Catholic saint, and Iansã is an orixá of Yoruba origin. The proximity came from the time of enslavement, when the worship of the orixás needed to hide behind the saints. Many people honor both on December 4, each in its own tradition.
