The name Ìbejì literally means “two births.” In Yoruba cosmology, twins are considered spiritually powerful beings — bearers of fortune, protection, and ancestral blessing.
Ibeji represent:
Unlike many Orishas who govern elements like thunder, rivers, or iron, Ibeji govern something more subtle but equally powerful: the spiritual balance between two mirrored forces.
In Yoruba belief, twins are a blessing — but also a responsibility.
If one twin passes away, the family traditionally commissions a carved wooden figure known as an ere ibeji to house the spirit of the deceased twin. These sacred statues are cared for, dressed, washed, and honored as living beings.
This ritual teaches something profound:
Life and spirit continue in dual form.
Energy does not disappear — it transforms.
Ibeji symbolize more than physical twins. They represent the universal law of duality:
Harmony is not the absence of opposites — it is the balance between them.
Ibeji remind us that vitality comes from integration, not separation.
Common symbols associated with Ibeji include:
🍬 Sweets and candy – Twins are believed to love sweetness
🪵 Carved wooden twin figures (ere ibeji) – Sacred vessels of spiritual presence
🎶 Music and drumming – Celebration and joy
👕 Matching clothing – Unity and mirrored identity
Their colors often include vibrant tones symbolizing youth and celebration.
Ibeji are powerful protectors of children — especially twins, but also youth in general. They govern:
Their energy is light, joyful, and sometimes mischievous — but always protective.
You don’t have to be a twin to feel Ibeji’s energy.
Their influence lives in:
When you honor both your strength and your vulnerability — you are walking with Ibeji.
When you choose joy even after loss — you are walking with Ibeji.
Duality is not conflict.
It is completeness.
Ibeji teach us that we are never one-dimensional. We contain multitudes. And when we learn to hold our contradictions with grace, vitality returns.
Youth is not about age — it is about spirit.
