Veve — Mediated Wiki

{{short description|Religious symbol commonly used in different branches of Vodun}} {{other uses}}{{Italic title}} {{Voodoo sidebar|Practices}} A '''''veve''''' (also spelled '''''vèvè''''' or '''''vevè''''') is a religious symbol commonly used in different branches of Vodun throughout the African diaspora, such as Haitian Vodou and Louisiana Voodoo. The ''veve'' acts as a "beacon" for the ''lwa'', and will serve as a ''lwa''{{'}}s representation during rituals.{{Citation needed|date=September 2019}}

''Veves'' should not be confused with the ''anaforuanas'' used in Abakuá, the ''firmas'' used in Palo, nor the ''pontos riscados'' used in Umbanda and Quimbanda, as these are separate Afro-American religions.

==History== Possible origins include the cosmogram of the Kongo people, or originated as the Nsibidi system of writing for the Ekoid languages from West and Central Africa.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Baking in the Sun: Visionary Images from the South |date=1987 |publisher=University Art Museum, University of Southwestern Louisiana |isbn=978-0-295-96606-9 |page=30 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The History of Africa: The Quest for Eternal Harmony |first=Molefi K. |last=Asante |page=252 |publisher=Routledge |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-415-77139-9}}</ref>

==Function== According to Milo Rigaud, "The ''veves'' represent figures of the astral forces... In the course of Vodou ceremonies, the reproduction of the astral forces represented by the veves obliges the lwa... to descend to earth."<ref>Milo Rigaud, ''Secrets of Voodoo'', City Lights, NY, 1969. {{ISBN|978-0-87286-171-8}}</ref>

Every ''lwa'' has their own unique ''veve'', although regional differences have led to different ''veves'' for the same ''lwa'' in some cases. Sacrifices and offerings are usually placed upon them, with food and drink being most commonly used.<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/topic/veve Britannica - Vèvè VODOU SYMBOL]</ref>

==Presentation== In ritual and other formalities, ''veve'' is usually drawn on the floor by strewing a powder-like substance, commonly cornmeal,<ref name=":0">{{Citation |title=New Orleans Voodoo (A Virtual Tour) | date=13 October 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aksVg8mNtPg&t=20m00s |language=en |access-date=2022-10-06}}</ref> wheat flour, bark, red brick powder, or gunpowder, though the material depends entirely upon the ritual. In Haitian Vodou, a mixture of cornmeal and wood ash is used.<ref>[https://uwm.edu/african-diaspora-studies/wp-content/uploads/sites/203/2015/06/Symbols-Adinkra-and-VeVe.pdf African Symbols: VèVè]. University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. Retrieved 2025-05-29.</ref>

''Veves'' use symbolic imagery to identify the spirit being invoked. For example, the gatekeeper spirit Papa Legba is represented by a ''vèvè'' featuring a walking cane, symbolizing his friendly, grandfatherly nature.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=LEGBA - Guardian of the Crossroads |url=https://www.nps.gov/afbg/learn/historyculture/legba.htm |access-date=2025-05-29 |website=U.S. National Park Service |language=en}}</ref> These designs often include coded elements reflecting the artist's matrilineal and patrilineal heritage.<ref name=":0" /> Offerings are typically presented;{{sfn|O'Neill Schmitt|Hartel O'Neill|2019|p=26}} in Louisiana Voodoo, this may include coffee and candies associated with the spirit.<ref name=":0" />

The spirit is generally meant to be invoked in the central cross of the ''veve''.<ref name=":0" />

''Veve'' can be made into screenprint, painting, patchwork, etc., as wall hangings, artworks, and banners.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}

==See also== * Sigil

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20050920035130/http://altreligion.about.com/library/glossary/symbols/bldefsveve.htm Source] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20071204122036/http://altreligion.about.com/library/graphics/bl_veves.htm Extensive collection of Veves]

Category:Magic symbols Category:Proto-writing Category:Religious symbols Category:Voodoo