At the heart of Ifá divination are the Odù, sacred signs that organise the whole system. Sixteen of them are called the principal Odù (Ẹ̀yẹ̀ Ifá or Olódù), and their combinations give the full set of 256 Odù. This guide lists the 16 principal Odù and explains how the system is built. The order and spelling of names can differ between Ifá traditions, so treat this as a common listing.
The 16 Principal Odù of Ifá
Each principal Odù is also called a Méjì, meaning “double”, because it is formed by repeating one pattern twice.
- Ogbè (Èjì Ogbè)
- Ọ̀yẹ̀kú Méjì
- Ìwòrì Méjì
- Òdí Méjì
- Ìrosùn Méjì
- Ọ̀wọ́nrín Méjì
- Ọ̀bàrà Méjì
- Ọ̀kànràn Méjì
- Ògúndá Méjì
- Ọ̀sá Méjì
- Ìká Méjì
- Òtúrúpọ̀n Méjì
- Òtúrá Méjì
- Ìrẹtẹ̀ Méjì
- Ọ̀ṣẹ́ Méjì
- Òfún Méjì
How 16 Becomes 256
Each Odù is made of two columns of four marks, and each mark is either a single or a double stroke. Pairing each of the 16 principal Odù with every other one gives 16 times 16, which is 256 Odù. This structure is often described as a kind of binary system, which has attracted interest from mathematicians and scholars.
What Each Odù Contains
Every Odù holds many verses (ẹsẹ Ifá), which contain stories, proverbs, medicine and advice. A Babaláwo memorises these verses during years of training and chooses the right ones for each consultation. The meaning of an Odù depends on the verses and the client’s situation, so a list of names alone cannot give a reading.
Where to Learn More
- Start with what is Ifá.
- Read about the wider belief system in Yoruba religion explained and the divinities in five major Yoruba orisha.
- See Yoruba proverbs, many of which echo Ifá verses.
- Check the UNESCO entry on Ifá divination and the overview of Odù Ifá.
Odù Ifá FAQs
How many Odù are there in Ifá?
There are 256 Odù, formed from 16 principal Odù.
What does Méjì mean?
Méjì means “double”, because a principal Odù repeats the same pattern twice.
Can I interpret an Odù myself?
Interpretation requires knowledge of the verses and is traditionally done by a trained Babaláwo.
