Danbala, the patriarchal serpent divinity, is an ancient water spirit associated with rain, wisdom, and fertility. He is usually entwined with his wife Ayida Wedo, the rainbow. Danbala is often represented as St. Patrick (who mastered the serpents of Ireland), and sometimes as the patriarchal Moses holding the Ten Commandments. In many temples, a permanent basin of water is maintained for this lwa. Many representations include Danbala's main sacrificial food—an egg.

Danbala engulfing a servitor by Georges Liautaud		Chromolithograph (imaj) of St. Patrick		Sculpture by Pierrot Barra

The following myth uses evocative imagery to illustrate how Danbala created the heavens and the earth:

Long ago, the serpent spirit Danbala created the world. He used his 7,000 coils to form the stars and the planets in the heavens and to shape the hills and valleys on earth. He used lightning bolts to forge metals and make the sacred rocks and stones. When he shed his skin he created all the waters on the earth. And when the sun showed through mist settling on the plants and trees a rainbow was born. Her name was Ayida Wedo. Danbala loved her and made her his wife. They are still together today, the serpent and the rainbow. Danbala and Ayida Wedo.