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Ochun is the Orisha of love, matrimony and motherhood. Her favorite animal is the peacock.  According to the Yoruba religion known as Ifá (meaning faith), Orishas are spirits who are manifestations of Olodumare, who is God. Ifá found its way from Africa to the Caribbean and other neighboring colonies, on the slave ships. To avoid persecution by the Spaniards, the slaves disguised the names of the Orishas, with masks of Catholic Saint names. Ochun, for example, was referred to as Santa Maria de la Caridad (La Virgen de La Caridad del Cobre: Cuba's Patron Saint). From this mixing of these two faiths was was born religion Santeria. For a short essay I wrote on Ochun as she relates Santeria and to this painting, click here.