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 supplicants 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.

A large cross in the center of this fan dominates the space, composed of striated triangles and concentric circles. Stylized birds, lizards and snakes decorate the four corners. In Yoruba mythology birds are symbolic of night witches, which must be controlled or appeased by those possessing magical powers; such as a priestess. A cross within a circle represents a place of meeting, the meeting place of gods and nature whose forces can come together for the improvement of life-- as reflected on the surface of this fan.