Yemaya is the great mother goddess of Santeria, representing the maternal force of life and creation. She is believed to live in the ocean. In Brazil her devotees set up elaborate beach front altars each New Year's Eve, setting out food and candles to be washed away by Yemaya with the morning tides. Yemeya rules over everything that is connected to the sea, the matron of sailors and fishermen, protecting them from drowning. Yemeya also especially blesses the lives and concerns of women.