The fruit basket is a key piece on the altar of the Orishas.
Throughout history they have used it in order to satisfy their tastes, to do ebbó (cleaning) to save their children, as an addimú (offering) to pray for the health of their loved ones, as part of purification rituals. for the home and as a key piece for making head prayers.
Spiritual meaning in Santeria:
Since ancient times, men have used it to transport and store their food and belongings.
The Pataki relates that the Orishas wove it with a sacred material which had to withstand great loads, the mission of this consisted of housing numerous foods that would be taken to the needy through a narrow path.
Why are fruits placed inside a basket?
The basket is a fundamental element within the saint's room, it is not only used to carry fruits, another of its uses is to contain the sacred herbs of the Orisha Ozain del Monte which are used in almost all holy ceremonies.
The basket is in charge of protecting the clothes of the Iyawo (initiated) during the seven days of the Osha.
What is the reason why the bottom of the basket is covered with a handkerchief?
The scarf symbolizes the shelter that human beings receive from the Orishas, who provide their cloak to the human race in order to rid them of numerous osogbos (bad energies).
The fruits of the throne are given to the santeros on religious festivals
Once the festival is over, these are given to the santeros according to their hierarchy, in this way ebbó is made with the fruits of the basket and the blessing of the Orishas is shared with the religious brothers.
Meaning of the fruit offering
The fruit offering is a way of paying homage to the Orishas, through fruits the saints free their children from Osogbos and cleaning with these is often the most effective ritual that exists to purify the negative.
Fruits for the orishas:
The fruits and the number in which they are represented have their meaning, for example the guava fruit of the Orisha ELEGUÁ. It is placed in number of 3, this symbolizes the family composed of the father, the mother and the son.
Fruit for Eleguá, the Mamey:
The mamey is a fruit belonging to the owner of the Eleguá roads, it is represented in a unit.
This represents the secrets of destiny, it is a fruit that hides messages about future offspring because there is a popular belief that women who when cutting the mamey find two seeds inside will have the same number of children, with a high probability that these be twins.
Fruits for Obatala:
The breadfruit is placed only one of its kind, this is related to Obatalá and symbolizes peace, a blessing that is transmitted to the religious through the prayer of the head.
The soursop establishes in the same way the presence of the owner of all the heads, this fruit teaches the religious not to judge by appearances because they can play a trick.
Melon for Yemayá, Olokun and Oggún
A single melon is placed, this is the quintessential fruit of the sea deities Yemaya y Olokun and Oggun the owner of iron, the melon represents freshness and its seeds embody the beginning of new projects in the lives of human beings.
Coconut for the Orishas:
The coconut fruit that is placed double is to the taste of all the orishas, through its mass they talk with the saint, which is why it is placed in the basket in case the need to ask any unforeseen question arises, this fruit is very useful for collecting in the ilé (house).
Fruit for Shango and Aggayú:
The King of the Drums Batá Shango identifies with the banana in the same way he does Aggayu Solá, in the basket a hand of bananas is arranged in order to represent unity and the benefit that it brings, which is strength.
Fruits for Oshún:
There are five oranges that are introduced into the basket to represent Oshún, this saint is identified in the same way with the pineapple, both fruits symbolize the elegance and exoticity of the Orisha.
fruits for Oyá:
Oyá It stands out with the presence of nine star apples who interrelate with the spirits and the messages that they send us from beyond camouflaged by means of their leaves.
Fruits for Oduduwá
Sixteen figs are placed on Oduduwá the foreman of the dead and Bromú and Brosiá his guardians, the fig represents the passing of the years and the scars that experience leaves on the soul.
Grapes, fruits for Saint Lazarus
The grapes represent Saint Lazarus miraculous saint, these are an example of adaptation to changes since through this one can make sweets, salty dishes, they symbolize the enduring after death because after the fermentation of this fruit man can make the wine.
Fruits for the Jimaguas
Three handles are placed in the basket, these are identified with the Jimaguas Ibeyis and Ildeu, this tropical fruit represents the time that everything needs to happen in life, that is why not all the mangoes that appear in a bush ripen at the same time.
Ochanlá manifests itself through a custard apple, this sandy fruit is responsible for transmitting mental health and good memory to the devotees who clean themselves through it.
The plums incorporate Orisha Oko deity responsible for the tillage of the fields, these are arranged in number of sixteen.
In this way the holy basket is composed, this offering brings prosperity and development to the home.