At the time when the sacred waters of orisa Osun are taken in brass bowls from the river to the shrine, the priestess carries her fan as an insignia of office. As a mediator between this world and the "other world", the priestess is able to interpret messages from the river deity Osun to her suppliants in response to their questions. She is also in touch with spirits of nature, using these natural forces to help people in a variety of ways.

Through the veil of patina, two vertical rows of concentric circles appear. There are random ones as well, floating loose as if having lost their orbit. Solid dots surrounded by a thick border creates an impression of a world within a world, of the physical realm encompassed by the unknown sphere of the non-physical. Semi-circles and triangles are also an important element in priestess fan iconography, creating a pattern which is both identifiable and esoteric, rich in mystery and magic of an ancient tradition.