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 #243 · Omo Odu (Odu Combinado)

Ofun Iwori

"Ofun and Iwori: the power is in the hands, and it is the tongue of others that ruins."

II - I - II - I · II - I - I - II

Numerology

19 (synthesis of 16 with 3)

Elements

All elements - Integration | Air - Thought | Synthesis — Integration of forces

Sacred Colors

Pure white (totality) and Yellow (intelligence) (a combination of the energies of both Odus)

Symbolic reading — interpretation, not attributed to the Treatise.

Also known as: Ofun Wori · Ofun Ìwòrì · Òfún Iwori · Òfún Ìwòrì

WisdomIntelligenceIntegrationSynthesisDynamic balance

What is the Odu Ofun Iwori

Ofun Iwori (Ofun Gando) is the Ifá in which were born the hierarchies of posts and in Ifá, and the parrot. It is called Ofun Gando because it saved the people of Gando from death and crowned itself king of that land. It is an Ifá of enchantment, in which Olofin placed the power in the hands of the awo, with all sensitivity in the fingertips, the silk glove whose children tend to be born with six or seven fingers, children of Odudua.

Meaning

In the Tratado, here Olofin appointed Xangô king of the heavens and of the earth, and for that Xangô has no adversaries. It is an Odu of money, but it signals the loss of the mental faculties and of memory through blown powders and through witchcraft. It marks sterility in the woman and the loss of a child for not having done the works in time, or for not knowing how to curb the evil feelings the child inherits from the parents. The father is to blame for the child's misfortune, and the slander of others is what brings the ruin.

Sacred Profile

Symbolic reading — interpretation, not attributed to the Treatise.

Numerology: 19 (synthesis of 16 with 3). This number resonates in the energy of this Odu, guiding the seeker in understanding the cycles and vibrations that govern this path.

Elements: All elements - Integration | Air - Thought | Synthesis — Integration of forces. The sacred elements establish the bridge between the material and spiritual worlds, offering tools of balance and transformation.

Sacred Colors: Pure white (totality) and Yellow (intelligence) (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: Wisdom, Intelligence, 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

Please Exu greatly, to whom a cock is given quickly when the sign comes out, and place parrot feathers on Obatalá with three balls of yam. Dress in white and never combine two colours nor patterns of ovals. Give alms at your door and respect the invalids and those who beg. Eat in moderation, to avoid digestive ills, and do not lay your hands on anything dark. Maferefun Xangô, Obatalá and Odudua.

⚠ Cautions

Guard yourself from the law, which here is osogbo, and from the tongue of people, which is what ruins the person. Care for the head and the memory, threatened by witchcraft and by blown powders. Do not eat melon and take care against animal bites. Curb the evil feelings in time, so as not to lose a child, and remember that the father answers for the child's misfortune.

This Odu describes tendencies and possible paths to work on — not a fixed destiny or a guaranteed prediction.

Ire

The power that Olofin placed in the hands of the awo and the royalty of Xangô, who has no adversaries; the money the Odu promises and the crown of the king who saved the people of Gando.

Osogbo

The loss of the mental faculties and of memory through witchcraft, sterility in the woman, the loss of a child for works not done, and the tongue of others, which ruins the one who suffers it.

Context and study of the 256 Odus

Ofun Iwori 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 Ofun Iwori 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 Ofun Iwori

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 Ofun Iwori 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 Ofun Iwori mean?+
Ofun Iwori (Ofun Gando) is the Ifá in which were born the hierarchies of posts and in Ifá, and the parrot. It is called Ofun Gando because it saved the people of Gando from death and crowned itself king of that land. It is an Ifá of enchantment, in which Olofin placed the power in the hands of the awo, with all sensitivity in the fingertips, the silk glove whose children tend to be born with six or seven fingers, children of Odudua.
What is the central message of Ofun Iwori?+
In the Tratado, here Olofin appointed Xangô king of the heavens and of the earth, and for that Xangô has no adversaries. It is an Odu of money, but it signals the loss of the mental faculties and of memory through blown powders and through witchcraft. It marks sterility in the woman and the loss of a child for not having done the works in time, or for not knowing how to curb the evil feelings the child inherits from the parents. The father is to blame for the child's misfortune, and the slander of others is what brings the ruin.
What are the Irê and Osogbo of Ofun Iwori?+
Ire: The power that Olofin placed in the hands of the awo and the royalty of Xangô, who has no adversaries; the money the Odu promises and the crown of the king who saved the people of Gando. — Osogbo: The loss of the mental faculties and of memory through witchcraft, sterility in the woman, the loss of a child for works not done, and the tongue of others, which ruins the one who suffers it.

Sources consulted

  • Tratado Enciclopédico de Ifá, section Ofun Gando (Ofun Iwori)
See all sources →

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 →
Reflect on this path in a study reading → →← Library

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.