Yemaya (Yemoja, Iemanja) is a Yoruban creation goddess, the mother of the seven seas. She is often depicted as a mermaid, and is associated with the moon, ocean, and feminine mysteries. She is the protectress of women and rules the subconscious and creative endeavors. She governs everything pertaining women; childbirth, conception, parenting, child safety, love, and healing. She oversees deep secrets, ancient wisdom, the moon, salt water, sea shells, and the collective unconscious. According to myth, she originated in Egypt as the goddess Isis, and is said that Nubian slaves who returned to different parts of Africa may have renamed Isis under the new name Yemaya. She gave birth to the 14 Yoruban goddesses and gods. When her uterine broke, it caused a great flood creating the oceans. The first mortal humans were created from her womb.