Yemaya/Yemaja is a Orisha whose origins tie back to Yoruba people of West Africa. This ancient African tradition states that all life emerges from the sea and hence from Yemaja. In Lucumi (Yoruba's dialect) phase yey omo eja translates as "mother whose children are the fish". Culture was one of the few possessions the Yoruba were able to bring over to the new world in the slave trade. Now she is believed to be a caring, nurturing Goddess whose power increases fertility, protects children and those traveling at sea.
Yemaja is usually depicted as a beautiful, dark-skinned, big breasted, and full hipped woman. You will see her wearing blue and white/silver, that of which reflects her connection to the ocean. She is seen mostly as a half human, half mermaid woman.
The Yoruba have a myth that is much like the story of Oedipal of the greek mythology. Yemaja's son, Orungan kills his father and impregnates his mother with 15 Orishas. Her water breaking floods the world making the 7 seas.
