Bleeding Heart of Metal 1"

".African Santa Barbara.Heart of Shango.

The small bleeding metal heart in Santería (Regla de Ocha) functions as a miracle or ex-voto. It represents the love, life, and feelings of a person. It is used as an offering, protective amulet, or petition to attract health, love, and spiritual healing.

• Okan Addimú: It is a direct offering (Addimú) to the heart of the Orisha, placed inside the sopera or receptacle according to the instructions of a consultation or record (ita).
• Representation of the devotee: It symbolizes the soul or feelings of the person making the petition, delivered to the deity to ask for a favor or healing.
• Energy substitute: It helps channel energies and petitions in binding, health, or reconciliation rituals.
• Catholic Syncretism: The bleeding heart refers directly to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, merging Catholic iconography with African (syncretic) spiritual practices of the Orishas.