The Voodoo religion as it is practiced in the United States has its roots in the African Diaspora. The African Diaspora refers to the forced enslavement of Africans from Africa to the Western hemisphere. The slaves brought their traditional religions and spiritual beliefs with them, which eventually became cloaked in Christianity in an ingenious move to avoid further persecution. Striking similarities exist between the Loa and Orisha of traditional African religions and Christian myths and saints. Vévés are used in most of the African Diaspora religions, including Santeria, Palo Mayombe, Macumbe, Quimbanda and are symbolic representations of the Divine.

Voodoo vévés are symbolic designs used in ritual, drawn on the ground with cornmeal prior to or during a Voodoo ceremony. These designs represent the various powers and attributes of the Loa (God, Goddess, Spirit, Orisha) to be invoked, and serve as a focal point for invocation and offerings. Several vévés of different Loa may be  drawn for one ceremony. The designs incorporate well recognized traditional elements, but reflect also the individual intentions and creative skill of the Houngan or Mambo. You will notice some common elements in the various vévés. For example, eight-pointed stars that resemble asterisks, and four armed crosses. The eight-pointed stars are from the Rada tradition. The small four-armed crosses are Petro crosses and are mostly decorative.

There are literally hundreds of loa. Only a fraction of their vévés are depicted here.
 

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