The Sacred Tools and Ritual Offerings of Ifá and Their Meanings

Each instrument used in Ifá has deep symbolic meaning within the divinatory tradition:

• The Opon Ifá (Divination Board):
  Represents the entire universe — past and future. The present is fleeting: as soon as something happens, it is already in the past.
  It also symbolizes the sky and earth (Orun and Ayé), life and death, and the endless dualities of existence.

• The Iruke (Horse Tail Whisk):
  Represents the final result — permanence and continuation.

• The Irofa (Diviner’s Tapping Instrument):
  Symbolizes the crown, kingship, power, and spiritual authority.

• The Iyerosun (Consecrated Divining Powder):
  A mystical powder composed of varied organic and inorganic elements, used to mark signs on the board.

• The Ofós (Sacred Chants or Incantations):
  Potent verbal formulas, made from synchronized and modulated words capable of altering matter and energy according to intent.

• The Ọ̀pẹ̀lẹ̀ (Divination Chain):
  Known as Orunmila’s wife, she is his junior interpreter. The Ọ̀pẹ̀lẹ̀ is often used for quick and effective divination.

• The Ikin (Sacred Palm Nuts):
  Represent the mystery of creation itself — the spirit and mouth of Orunmila.

• Ẹbọ (Ritual Offering):
  Acts as the response to divination. It is the sacred offering made to realign destiny, correct imbalance, give thanks, or prevent spiritual misfortune. Ẹbọ transforms divine guidance into action — completing the cycle of communication between the seeker, the Odù, and the Òrìṣà.