february 2nd - day of yemanjá -dia de iemanjá- is a day which celebrates motherhood, the sea, fishermen and sailors.

brought to the americas by african slaves, the holiday was originally celebrated by those following the religion candomblé, but has since melded with the roman catholic holiday of our lady of navigators (nossa senhora dos navegantes).

in brazil the day is marked by participants being dressed in all white and carrying statues or pictures of the virgin mary to the beach and offering white flowers and other female vanity items (jewelry, perfume, cosmetics, etc.) by throwing them into the sea, with the hope that it will appease the queen of the ocean to grant their requests for the coming year.