11010101
The right leg is the principal one and is read first; the left is the secondary (witness). — Bascom, Ifá Divination; Encyclopedic Treatise of Ifá.
Odu #224 · Omo Odu (Odu Combinado)
Irete Ofun
Irete Fun (lucumí)
"Caprice is your undoing; no one can be a good judge of their own conscience."
Numerology
30 (synthesis of 14 with 16)
Elements
Wind - Storm | All elements - Integration | Synthesis — Integration of forces
Sacred Colors
Storm blue (transformation) and Pure white (totality) (a combination of the energies of both Odus)
Symbolic reading — interpretation, not attributed to the Treatise.
Also known as: Irete Fun · Irete Òfún · Ate Ofun · Ate Òfún · Irete File
Naming by tradition
- Yoruba / Brazil
- Irete Ofun
- Cuba (Lucumí)
- Irete Fun · Irete File
Lucumí name per Tratado Enciclopédico de Ifá, p. 1591.
What is the Odu Irete Ofun
Irete File (Irete Ofun) is the Ifá of the youngest child of Death, the disobedient one who built the Añá drums, and in which were born the axé of the almácega and the anklet of bells. It teaches that caprice is the undoing of whoever does not obey Ifá.
Meaning
In the Tratado, Irete File shows Xangô proving, in the land of Takua, that there is no complete happiness in the world, and Irete File himself who, out of caprice and disobedience, ceased to make the ebó and to pay the tribute to Elegbá and fell into slavery, freeing himself only with the help of his brother Ofun Bile. It also tells of the power of the almácega, with which Orunmilá cured the ailment of the king's testicles and the madness of Odudua, and it warns that upon the disobedient child comes the punishment of the parents.
Sacred Profile
Symbolic reading — interpretation, not attributed to the Treatise.
Numerology: 30 (synthesis of 14 with 16). This number resonates in the energy of this Odu, guiding the seeker in understanding the cycles and vibrations that govern this path.
Elements: Wind - Storm | All elements - Integration | Synthesis — Integration of forces. The sacred elements establish the bridge between the material and spiritual worlds, offering tools of balance and transformation.
Sacred Colors: Storm blue (transformation) and Pure white (totality) (a combination of the energies of both Odus). The colors of this Odu carry specific vibrations that can be used in rituals, clothing, and environments to harmonize with its energy.
Qualities: Purification, Wisdom, Integration, Synthesis, Dynamic balance. These qualities represent the inner forces that the seeker can cultivate to walk in alignment with the wisdom of this Odu.
✦ Recommendations
Fulfil all the precepts of Ifá, heed the advice of Orunmilá and respect the dove all your life. Wear a black and red cap and place a rattle behind the door; offer eku and eyá to Exu. Give a young bull to Xangô at the riverbank, give thanks to Xangô and to Agajú and pay Oxum and Iemanjá; receive Elegbá and make saint.
⚠ Cautions
Do not promise what you cannot fulfil without first making ebó, and do not be stubborn, for stubbornness can cost you dearly. Do not stop at the corners, where there may be tragedy, and guard yourself from troubles with the law. This Odu speaks of grave disease and of hernia: care for your health and see a doctor. Treat your spouse with respect, without letting a disagreement reach aggression, and, if the weight is great, do not face it alone — seek Ifá and the support of those who care for life.
This Odu describes tendencies and possible paths to work on — not a fixed destiny or a guaranteed prediction.
Ire
It is an Ifá of inheritance: whoever makes the ebó and obeys, like Awo Mayure, wins the wager and comes to succeed to the throne.
Osogbo
The caprice and the disobedience that enslave, the war in which the weaker one loses, the tragedy that prowls the corner and the troubles with the law.
Context and study of the 256 Odus
Irete Ofun belongs to the full corpus of the 256 Odus of Ifá, a body of oral and written wisdom spanning centuries across the African diaspora and the Americas. Understanding this Odu means placing energies, archetypes, and sacred narratives in relation to the opele, divination, and a life practice guided by balance. The philosophical reading offered on this page does not replace initiation with a Babalawo or Iyanifa, but it deepens respect for the tradition and supports structured study for those who learn with humility.
In Ifá texts, the name Irete Ofun appears in prayers, ebo, and songs; its energy is tied to cycles of transformation and to relationship with the land, the Orishas, and community. Comparing this Odu with its root Meji and related Odus helps you recognize patterns of Irê and Osogbo that recur through life and everyday choices.
The Ifá Wisdom digital library brings together all 256 paths with epithets, essence, synthesis, and practical guidance. By exploring this page and the full library, you build a foundation for meditation, spiritual journaling, and ethical follow-up—with explicit gratitude to Yoruba culture and its guardians.
Irê, Osogbo, and reading Irete Ofun
In any Odù, Irê points to blessings and positive affinities; Osogbo highlights challenges and adjustments. Reading this Odu invites integrated reflection on relationships, work, emotional health, and purpose. Ifá asks for patience, right speech, and—when prescribed by an initiated priest—ebo and disciplines of conduct.
When you use the Ifá oracle with artificial intelligence on this platform, you receive a philosophical and educational interpretation: a learning bridge, not a priestly ritual. Keep that distinction to honour the tradition and the role of Babalawos and Iyanifas.
Ethics, respect, and continuing study
Ifá Wisdom is a multilingual educational service. We combine careful documentation of the Odus with the awareness that the living oracle belongs to the communities that preserve it. We do not promise cures, material guarantees, or a substitute for initiatory counsel.
To explore Irete Ofun in depth, browse the library of 256 Odus, the Odu of the day, and—if you wish—a contextual consultation in the oracle—always respecting your autonomy and the culture of origin.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Odu Irete Ofun mean?+
What is the central message of Irete Ofun?+
What is Irete Ofun called in the Lucumí (Cuban) tradition?+
What are the Irê and Osogbo of Irete Ofun?+
Sources consulted
- Tratado Enciclopédico de Ifá, section Irete File (Irete Ofun)
Written by
- Pablo de Lima (Awofakan)
- Thaiana de Lima (Ikofá)
A couple initiated in Ifá in the Cuban lineage — Regla de Ocha / Ifá.
Meet the authors →Notice: This platform is an educational and cultural tool. Consultations are intended for reflection and contemplation, drawing on ancestral Yoruba wisdom. They do not replace professional medical, psychological, legal or financial advice, nor an in-person consultation with an initiated priest.