Chàngó (Shango, Xango) the Original Thor

Chàngó (Shango, Xango) is the orisha of lightening, dance, thunder, power, passion, and sensuality. He is the epitome of all things masculine, and the dispenser of vengeance on behalf of the wronged. He has the power to win wars, defeat enemies, and gain power over others. He will ensure victory over all difficulties. Chàngó is believed to have once been a Yoruban king; thus, he must be treated as such. According to Yoruba and Vodou belief systems, Chàngó hurls bolts of lightning at the people chosen to be his followers, leaving behind imprints of stone axe blade on the Earth's crust. These blades can be seen easily after heavy rains. Worship of Chàngó gives you a great deal of power and selfcontrol. Chàngó altars often contain a carved figure of a woman holding a gift to the god with a double-bladed axe sticking up from her head.

Areas of Influence: Power, defeat enemies, victory, sensuality, virility, justice, protection, magick, Fire, lightning, thunder, drumming, legal matters, male health problems, finding a husband or wife, good luck, bring money, new job

Colors: His colors are red and white. The collar is made up of six red beads followed by six white beads. Then, a red bead alternates with a white bead six times. The pattern is repeated until the preferred length is obtained.

Necklace: 6 red beads alternating with 6 white beads

Numbers: 6, 4

Day of the Week: Friday

Feast Day: December 4, the feast day of St. Barbara

Favorite Places: Trinidad, sky, trees

Favorite Animals: Rams, turtles, black horses, pheasant, roosters, turkeys, lambs, quail, bulls, cats, cardinals, Golden Tamarind Monkeys, Red Siamese fighting fish

Favorite Objects: double axe, wood, turtle shells

Favorite Foods: Apples, yams, corn, dry red table wine, chili peppers, hot/spicy foods, tamales, cashews, corn bread, okra, tobacco, cactus fruit, rum, cored apples with honey and cinnamon inside. His food should be liberally topped with corojo butter, and his water is pond water.

Saints: Santa Barbara, St. Jerome

Planets: Sun, Mars

Stones: Fire opals, carnelian, gold, diamonds, jasper

Herbs and plants: These vary according to tradition. Red flowers, clematis, Jamaican pepper, paradise tree, neem tree, pomegranate, West Indian lancewood, rue, sassafras, dracaena draco, arabo rojo, cordoban, siguaraya (Cuba), banyan tree, royal palm, kapok tree, poplar, sorghum, clematis, hog plum, Cuban spurge, pine, pine nuts, apple trees, cashews, ironwood, mugwort, bran, climbing vines, bull's testicles, American spurge, leeks, plantains, bananas, red hamelias, Bermuda grass

Symbols: Double headed axe, thunderstones, machete, drums, lightning bolts, spear made out of cedar, necklace made of alternating red and white beads. Chàngó is also represented by the image of a warrior holding a large double edged hatchet in one hand and a sword in the other. Chàngó’s altar often sports two different images: one of St. Barbara and the other of a warrior.

Taboos: Chango despises cigars and rum.

Altar Placement: Fireplace, business desk

Relationships: Chàngó has three wives, Oba, Oya (who used to be Ogun's wife), and Oshun. Yemayá is his adoptive mother. In Voodoo, Chàngó is sometimes compared to Erzulie Dantor.