Damballah
African in origin, Damballah is alos associated with the Mexican Feathered Serpent 'Qqetzalcoatl'. He is a benign, paternal sky god. Wise and exalted, he has an affinity with water and loves to climb trees and rest in their branches.
Damballah is often seen as a coloured arch in the sky, similar to Ayida (the rainbow) his femal counterpart. When he is associated with Ayida, he symbolises sexual totality. Together, he and Ayida are coiled around the earth.
He is patron of the rains, and the streams and rivers created by them. The correct offering to him is an egg, his special symbol.
Adapted from 'A guide to the gods' by Richard Carlyon
