What Illuminati? The Truth and Beyoncé and the Yoruba Religion
There's a lot of symbolism in those pregnancy pics.
The world stopped — and retweeted — when Beyoncé kicked off Black History Month with the announcement that she is expecting twins. But do you know the symbolism behind the photos she posted on her website? Here’s a quick look at how the images intersect with Yoruba, a West African-derived form of spirituality.
'I Have Three Hearts'
The entire photo series carries this title, a reference to the fact that Beyoncé’s body currently has three hearts living inside it. Her website also includes a poem with this name — penned by Warsan Shire, the poet behind the words Bey speaks during “Lemonade.” In this section, she specifically references Osun (also called Oshun) and Yemoja (Yemayá), two Orishas, or divine goddesses.
Oshun is the Orisha of fresh water and love
She was also the mother of twins
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The twins are represented in Yoruba by Ibeji
All of which brings new context to those underwater shots
Bey channeled Oshun for 'Lemonade,' too
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Yemayá is the Orisha of motherhood and the ocean
Which explains water’s prominent role in this shoot
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She paid homage to Yemayá in 'Lemonade,' too
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