
Using Vodou Veves: Sacred Haitian Symbols of the Lwa
Have you ever felt a deep pull toward something more powerful than yourself—something ancient, mysterious, and full of magic? Whether you're yearning for love, protection, or guidance, Voodoo veves can draw those energies into your life. These beautiful, sacred symbols are the key to unlocking the hidden forces of the universe, allowing you to connect with powerful spirits, known as lwa, that can bring your deepest desires to reality. Ready to find out which veve can change your life? Let’s dive in.
What is a Veve?
In Voodoo, veves are more than just intricate designs—they’re spiritual tools that help you communicate directly with the lwa (spirits). Each lwa has a unique veve that acts as a key, unlocking their power and allowing them to manifest in your life. Whether seeking love, protection, wisdom, or even financial blessings, drawing a veve is like dialing a direct line to the spirit world. Imagine using a symbol passed down through centuries to attract the love you deserve or the protection you crave. That’s the power of a veve.
Veves are traditionally drawn on the ground using materials like cornmeal, flour, or ash. Once the veve is complete, offerings—such as candles, flowers, or special foods—are placed on or near the veve to honor the spirit. As you draw a veve, you call on the specific lwa associated with it, asking for their blessings, protection, or intervention. These symbols are more than just art; they’re alive with energy, and when used with intention, they can change your life.
The 13 Most Commonly Used Veves and What They Mean
Here are thirteen of the most powerful veves that can bring love, protection, healing, and more into your life. Each veve is tied to a specific lwa, and these spirits can help guide your journey.
Papa Legba: The Opener of Doors
Papa Legba is the gatekeeper between the human world and the spiritual realm. His veve is drawn at the start of every Vodou ritual to invite him to open the pathways to the other lwa. If you feel stuck in life, whether in relationships, career, or spiritual growth, calling on Papa Legba through his veve can help open the doors to new opportunities. Papa Legba enjoys offerings like tobacco, rum, keys, and small coins. Some rituals involve placing crossroads dirt near his veve.

Papa Legba
Erzulie Freda: The Spirit of Love and Beauty
Erzulie Freda embodies the essence of love, beauty, and luxury. Her veve is often used in rituals seeking romance, passion, or self-love. If you're looking to attract a new lover or improve your existing relationship, Erzulie Freda’s veve, drawn with delicacy and care, invites her charm and sweetness into your life.
Erzulie Freda prefers offerings like perfume, champagne, sweets, and roses. Pink and white flowers, along with jewelry and beautiful objects, are often placed near her veve

Erzulie Freda
Damballah-Wedo: The Serpent Spirit of Creation
Damballah-Wedo, depicted as a snake, represents creation and the purest form of life. His veve is used in rituals for healing, fertility, and spiritual peace. If you’re seeking a fresh start or inner clarity, Damballah’s energy will bring serenity and wisdom, clearing your path to growth. Damballah prefers all-white offerings such as white eggs, milk, rice, and white flowers. His rituals are often done in quiet, calm surroundings near water.

Damballah-Wedo
Ogun: The Warrior Spirit of Strength
Ogun is the lwa of war and strength, representing courage and protection. His veve is often drawn in times of conflict, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. If you need the strength to overcome obstacles, Ogun will stand beside you, offering the power to fight for what you believe in. Ogun favors strong, masculine offerings like rum, cigars, machetes, and red meat, especially roosters.

Ogun
Baron Samedi: The Guardian of the Dead
Baron Samedi, ruler of cemeteries and the spirit of death, is known for his role in both endings and new beginnings. His veve is drawn for protection from illness and to guide the spirits of ancestors. If you’re facing a major life transition or seeking guidance from beyond, Baron Samedi can help you through the journey. Baron Samedi enjoys offerings like black coffee, rum, cigars, and black candles. Items representing death, like crosses or graveyard dirt, are often placed near his veve.

Baron Samedi
Agwe: The Master of the Seas
Agwe, the ruler of the seas, is called upon for protection during travel, particularly by water, and for emotional balance. His veve brings the calming energy of the ocean, helping you navigate difficult emotional waters and find stability during turbulent times. Agwe prefers offerings like champagne, white rum, toy ships, and items connected to the sea, which are often floated on the water.

Agwe (Illustration by Lysa Karell)
Simbi: The Spirit of Healing and Clairvoyance
Simbi is the lwa of healing, water, and spiritual insight. His veve is perfect for rituals involving emotional healing or when you seek to unlock your intuition. Simbi can clear the fog in your mind, helping you see the truth in complex situations. Simbi enjoys offerings like river water, lavender, clear liquids, and herbs related to healing and insight.

Simbi (Illustration by Lysa Karell)
Kouzen Zaka (Azaka Mede): The Spirit of Agriculture and Prosperity
Kouzen Zaka is associated with work, farming, and prosperity. His veve is often drawn to bless your career or finances, ensuring that your hard work pays off. If you're striving for success in your job or business, Zaka’s energy can help you grow and prosper. Kouzen Zaka appreciates simple, earthy offerings like corn, bread, coffee, and vegetables, reflecting his connection to agriculture.

Kouzen Zaka (Azaka Mede)
Grann Brigitte: The Fierce Protector of the Dead
Grann Brigitte, the wife of Baron Samedi, is a powerful protector and the guardian of death. Her veve is used for rituals that seek protection from harm or injustice. Grann Brigitte’s fierce energy makes her an excellent ally for women who need strength to fight for their rights or for justice in their lives. Grann Brigitte enjoys offerings like black candles, peppers, rum, and flowers from cemeteries.

Grann Brigitte
Papa Loko: The Keeper of Traditions
Papa Loko is the protector of Vodou traditions, particularly initiation rites. His veve is used to call for wisdom and guidance, especially when you’re embarking on a new spiritual journey. If you feel drawn to deepen your spiritual knowledge, Papa Loko can guide you on your path. Papa Loko favors offerings like herbs, white rum, and green or white candles, symbolizing wisdom and spiritual power.

Papa Loko (Illustration by Lysa Karell)
Ayizan: The Spirit of Commerce and Healing
Ayizan is the lwa of trade, markets, and healing. Her veve is drawn for success in business and personal healing. Whether you’re starting a new venture or recovering from emotional wounds, Ayizan’s energy ensures prosperity and well-being. Ayizan is often offered herbs, fruits, and items related to commerce and healing.

Ayizan
Erzulie Dantor: The Fierce Protector of Women
Erzulie Dantor is the fierce protector of women and children. Her veve is often used in rituals for justice, protection, and independence. If you feel wronged or vulnerable, Erzulie Dantor will fiercely defend you, empowering you to take control of your life. Erzulie Dantor is given offerings of rum, black candles, and spicy foods like peppers.

Erzulie Dantor (Illustration by Lysa Karell)
Milokan: The Veve of Multiple Spirits
Milokan is a veve that calls upon multiple lwa at once, used during grand rituals involving many spirits. If you need guidance, protection, and blessings in multiple areas of your life, drawing Milokan’s veve will bring all the necessary spiritual forces to your aid.

Milokan
Rituals to Incorporate Veves into Your Life
Are you ready to experience the power of veves firsthand? Below are three simple rituals you can perform to invite the energy of the lwa into your life. Whether you’re seeking love, protection, or healing, these rituals are easy to do at home and only require a few key ingredients to amplify their power.
Love and Attraction Ritual with Erzulie Freda
Do you crave the energy of love to surround and embrace you? This ritual with Erzulie Freda’s veve will help attract romantic energy into your life. Whether you’re seeking a new relationship or strengthening an existing one, Erzulie Freda, the goddess of love and beauty, will bring sweetness and charm to your romantic desires. Prepare the following for this veve ritual:
Begin by drawing Erzulie Freda’s veve on the floor with cascarilla chalk. Place the red candle in the center of the veve and anoint it with rose oil. Surround the veve with rose petals in a circle. As you light the candle, close your eyes and focus on what kind of love or romantic energy you want to attract into your life.
You may say a short affirmation or prayer to Erzulie Freda, asking her to bring you love and beauty. Let the candle burn completely. When it’s done, scatter the rose petals in a garden or flowing water to seal the ritual.
Protection Ritual with Papa Legba
Do you need protection for your home or want to open new doors in your life? Papa Legba is the guardian of the crossroads, and this simple ritual will call upon his energy to shield your home from negativity and open you to new opportunities. You will need the following components for this ritual:
- White candle
- Key
- Crossroads dirt
- Cascarilla
Draw Papa Legba’s veve at the entrance of your home with cascarilla chalk. Place the key in the center of the veve and light the white candle. Sprinkle a small amount of crossroads dirt around the veve while asking Papa Legba to protect your home and open doors to positive energy. Leave the key as an offering for one day. Then, bury the key near your front door for lasting protection.
Healing Ritual with Simbi
Are you feeling emotionally drained or seeking clarity in a difficult situation? Simbi, the spirit of water and healing, can help cleanse your mind and bring you the insight you need. This ritual with Simbi’s veve is perfect for inviting his soothing and healing energy into your life, helping you find peace and wisdom. These items are essential for this ritual:
Draw Simbi’s veve on the ground using cascarilla chalk and place the blue candle in the center of the veve. Fill a bowl with river water and add a few drops of lavender oil to create a calming blend. Light the blue candle and gently wave your hand over the water while asking Simbi to bring healing and clarity into your life.
You may focus on a specific situation or simply let your mind relax as you invite the spirit’s energy to clear your path. After the ritual, use the water to wash your hands or pour it at the base of a tree to symbolize renewal and growth.
Welcoming the Power of Veves Into Your Life
Veves are more than just ancient symbols—they are living connections to the powerful spirits that can guide and protect you. Whether you’re calling upon Erzulie Freda for love, Papa Legba for protection, or Simbi for healing, these veves serve as a gateway to the divine energies that can transform your life. By incorporating these rituals into your spiritual practice, you can invite the magic of Vodou into your world, manifesting love, protection, healing, and abundance.
It’s time to take control of your spiritual destiny. Draw the veve, set your intention, and watch the magic unfold in your life.