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.

Four large striated "palm" leaves dominate the center, connected to broad bands forming an arch at the top. Circles are used as symbols or transformed into bulbous flowers, seen as pairs in a mirror image. Around the rim are snakes, a stylized lizard and two upside-down birds with their claws about to grab onto the snakes' bodies. Two other serpents twist towards an oval shape at the top of the handle, where a highly stylized snake, similar to the face on the top of the arch, is attached. Seeing this fan is like looking into a dense jungle with a profusion of fauna and flora, beautifully depicted and full of life.