Maria Bonita Candle
The baiana of the sertão who does not bow her head, for womanly courage and to undo demanda
Maria Bonita Candle
7-day candle · stays lit for 7 days7 dias
The Maria Bonita candle is lit by those who need a woman's courage, the kind that crosses the drought with head held high. Maria Bonita is a Baiana of Umbanda: she arrives at the gira of the people of Bahia, with the style of the sertão, an easy laugh, and direct words. She is sought by women who left a bad relationship, who raise children alone, who are surrounded by envy, or who forgot what it was like to laugh.
The Baianos are spirits of people from the Northeast, from the sertão and the coast, who work with joy and steadiness. Their strength is the desmanche: cutting a spell, breaking lingering spiritual attacks, and advising on practical life. The name Maria Bonita recalls the cangaceira who walked with Lampião, born in Bahia, and many houses say the spirit comes from that land. There are terreiros that receive her in their own line of the cangaço. Yellow is the most common color of the Baianos, and the day varies from house to house.
At home, the Maria Bonita candle brings spirit and determination, not fighting. She teaches how to defend oneself without losing grace and to choose life instead of anger. The sertão she knew was hard, and what she gives back is courage to move forward in peace, with the house full of laughter.
What is it for
What the Maria Bonita Candle is for
The Maria Bonita candle is dedicated to the baiana of Umbanda who brings the memory of the woman from the sertão. Yellow and red, in the colors of the people of Bahia, it receives requests for courage, for the undoing of spells and demanda, and for joy and respect to return to those who were diminished.
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Courage to face life
A mother alone, a woman who started over from zero, someone who lost the fear of speaking. The candle asks Maria Bonita for the courage of those who crossed the sertão without ceasing to smile.
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Undo spell and demanda
When everything gets stuck without reason and seems like something done. The Baianos are known for undoing, and the candle asks that Maria Bonita cut what was sent against you.
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To have joy again
After a hard phase, the laughter disappears. The baiana candle asks for joy to return, that of forró and samba de roda, which makes the house feel light again.
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Respect and self-esteem
For those who accepted being diminished for a long time. Maria Bonita does not bow her head, and the candle asks for firmeza to demand respect inside and outside the home.
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Keep away envy and gossip
Neighbor watching, colleague who roots against you, relative who speaks behind your back. The candle asks that the baiana close the body and the house against the evil eye.
Who rules this candle
Orixás and spirits of the Maria Bonita Candle
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Maria Bonita
Baiana of the sertão, woman of courage
The candle bears her name and her image. Maria Bonita arrives at the gira of the Baianos with the style of the sertão and works in undoing, in courage, and in joy. Yellow and red are the colors of the line.
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Iansã (Oya)
Lady of the winds, strength of the Baianos
Many houses place the Baianos under the irradiation of Iansã, the warrior orixá (orisha) of the winds, who sweeps away what is stagnant. Others cite Ogum (Ogun), Oxalá (Obatala), or Oxóssi (Oshosi). The ruling orixá changes from terreiro to terreiro.
Know Iansã
Also settled for
- People of Bahia
- Baianas
- Zé Baiano
- Maria Baiana
Prayer to light
Prayer of the Maria Bonita candle for courage
“Maria Bonita, baiana of the sertão, I light this yellow and red light with your name. You who knew the drought, the long road, and the fear, and even so did not lose your laughter, lend me a bit of your courage. Undo with your prayer what was done against me and against my house. Keep away the evil eye and the gossip from my door. Teach me to demand respect without losing grace and to choose life instead of anger. Return joy to those who live with me, so that we may dance in the living room again. I thank you for every firm step I take from now on. Hail the people of Bahia!”Light the candle and pray
Step by step
How to consecrate the Maria Bonita Candle
- 1
Cover with a colorful cloth
The Baianos like color. A yellow or floral chita cloth on a firm table already prepares the place. Away from curtains, the stove, and out of reach of children.
- 2
Take a ritual bath of arruda and guiné
Before lighting, a ritual bath of arruda and guiné from the neck down. It is the ritual bath of undoing that matches the ritual work of the baiana.
- 3
Set up the plate with the offering (agrado)
Candle in the center, a glass of coconut water beside it, and the coconut or cocada in front, with flowers around. A simple agrado, in the style of the sertão.
- 4
Call Maria Bonita by name
Light with a match, say Salve o povo da Bahia and call Maria Bonita. Talk as if speaking to an older friend: tell her what weighs on you and what you want in return.
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Finish without blowing
Baiana does not like breath on the candle. To leave, cover it with a saucer and light it again on your return. Once the week is over, the water goes to the earth, the coconut and flowers to the organic waste, and the glass can be recycled.
Precautions before lighting
- The 7-day candle burns for several days: firm plate, away from cloth, curtains, children, and animals. Chita cloth catches fire easily: keep it away from the flame.
- Maria Bonita undoes, she does not attack. Do not light her candle to send evil back or to bind another person's will.
- Cachaça, tobacco leaf, and gira ritual work stay with the house's orientation. At home, coconut, cocada, and flowers are enough as an offering.
- If your life is in danger inside your home, ask for help: Call 180, the police, or family. The courage that the candle asks for includes seeking help.
Ceromancy
What the flame of Maria Bonita's Candle shows
Traditional terreiro reading. Before interpreting, check if there is no wind, crooked wick, or poor quality candle.
- Good sign
Joyful flame that dances
Many houses read this as the baiana arriving animated and accepting the prayer request. Give thanks and put on a song you like.
- Observe
Crackles and sparks at the beginning
It could be moisture in the wick. In popular reading, an undoing is happening. If the flame settles after, continue with the prayer.
- Good sign
High and firm flame until the end
Some read this as courage taking hold and an open path. Use the week to take the step you have been postponing.
- Attention
Strong soot rising through the glass
Trim the wick. If it continues, it could be a heavy demanda leaving. Repeat the ritual bath of rue and, if the sign persists, seek a terreiro.
- Attention
Candle that goes out and does not want to light
Check the wind, wick, and quality of the candle before everything. If everything is correct, light another candle on a day of gira and ask for guidance at the house.
Ritual bath and smoke cleansing (defumação)
Herbs that combine with the Maria Bonita Candle
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Rue
Ruta graveolens
The herb of undoing. A ritual bath of arruda before lighting, or a branch behind the ear, accompanies the candle in cutting spells and the evil eye.
See the herb -
guiné / Tipi
Petiveria alliacea
Strong cutting herb, used by the Baianos in cleansing. Together with arruda in the ritual bath, it prepares whoever will ask for the undoing of a demanda.
See the herb -
Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis
Herb of joy. A branch next to the plate, or a ritual bath at the end of the week, helps bring back the laughter after the undoing.
See the herb
Virtual Candle
Light the Maria Bonita 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 Maria Bonita Candle
Is Maria Bonita da Umbanda the cangaceira who walked with Lampião?
The name recalls the cangaceira, born in Bahia and died in 1938, and many houses say that the spirit comes from the sertão. As in all of Umbanda, the story of each spirit guide is told by the terreiro itself, and the versions vary. What matters is her work in the gira.
Is Maria Bonita baiana or from the cangaço line?
In most houses she arrives in the gira of Baianos, together with Zé Baiano and Maria Baiana. There are terreiros that have their own cangaço line, with Lampião and his band. Both forms exist, and the house defines which one.
What is the color of the Maria Bonita candle?
Yellow and red, in the colors of the Baianos line. Yellow is the most common color of the people of Bahia, and several houses also use red or white. There are terreiros that work with Maria Bonita in another color, defined by the spirit herself.
What is the best day to light the Maria Bonita candle?
Many houses consecrate their devotion to the Baianos on Monday or on Saturday, but the day changes from terreiro to terreiro. If you attend a house, follow the day of the Baianos gira there. At home, late afternoon is a good time.
What is the difference between the Maria Bonita candle and the Zé Baiano one?
Both are from the people of Bahia and work in desmanche. Zé Baiano is sought for strong spiritual cleansing and breaking of quizila. Maria Bonita is more sought by women, for courage, respect, and joy back.
Can I blow out the Maria Bonita candle and light it later?
You can, without blowing. Smother it with a saucer or a spoon and relight it upon returning, greeting the people of Bahia. Ideally, the candle should burn completely, but the safety of the house comes before any custom.
