Ghede
Ghede's colour is black and he has a square cross on a tomb as his symbol. He is associated with Baron Samedi (the keeper of cemetaries and lord of zombies). He is also lord of life, the door through which the dead pass is the same door through which the gods arrive, bringing life. He is the beginning and the end. His dance is that of copulation. His chamber contains grave-diggers' tools and a sculpted phallus.
He wears a black coat, top hat, dark glasses (commonly with one lens missing). He carries a cane and smokes a cigar. He is also the god of sorcery and mixes life with death. A shrewd trickster, he speaks with a nasal voice and delights in opposites.
Ghede's other names include, Baron La Croix, Baron Piquant and Baron Cimetiere.
Ghedes will mock himself just as readily as he will mock others. He sybolises duality and the transition between life and death.
Adapted from 'A guide to the Gods' by Richard Carlyon
