Brazilians celebrate Goddess of the Sea

A worshiper prepares to launch a small boat holding offerings into the ocean during a ceremony honoring Iemanja, Goddess of the Sea, as part of traditional New Year's celebrations on the sands of Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Dec. 28, 2013.

Iemanja is a goddess from the African Candomble religion brought to Brazil by West African slaves. Devotees traditionally mark the day dressed in white while carrying a statue of Iemanja to the beach along with lighting candles and tossing flowers and other offerings into the sea.

Rio de Janeiro

The faithful gather for a ceremony honoring Iemanja, Goddess of the Sea, as part of traditional New Year's celebrations on the sands of Copacabana beach, Dec. 28, 2013.

Rio de Janeiro

The faithful gather and worship at the Iemanja statue during a ceremony honoring Iemanja, Goddess of the Sea, in Rio de Janeiro, Dec. 28, 2013.

Rio de Janeiro

The faithful gather for a ceremony honoring Iemanja, Goddess of the Sea, as part of traditional New Year's celebrations on the sands of Copacabana beach, Dec. 28, 2013.

Rio de Janeiro

The faithful gather and worship at the Iemanja statue during a ceremony honoring Iemanja, Goddess of the Sea, Dec. 28, 2013.

Rio de Janeiro

The faithful gather for a ceremony honoring Iemanja, Goddess of the Sea, as part of traditional New Year's celebrations on the sands of Copacabana beach, Dec. 28, 2013.

Rio de Janeiro

The faithful gather for a ceremony honoring Iemanja, Goddess of the Sea, as part of traditional New Year's celebrations on the sands of Copacabana beach on December 28, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro

A worshipper kneels over candles during a ceremony honoring Iemanja, Goddess of the Sea, Dec. 28, 2013.

Rio de Janeiro

The faithful gather for a ceremony honoring Iemanja, Goddess of the Sea, Dec. 28, 2013.

Rio de Janeiro

People watch a ceremony honoring Iemanja, Goddess of the Sea, as part of traditional New Year's celebrations on the sands of Copacabana beach, Dec. 28, 2013.

Rio de Janeiro

The faithful gather for a ceremony honoring Iemanja, Goddess of the Sea, Dec. 28, 2013.

Rio de Janeiro

The faithful gather for a ceremony honoring Iemanja, Goddess of the Sea, Dec. 28, 2013.

Rio de Janeiro

Two of the faithful hug during a ceremony honoring Iemanja, Goddess of the Sea, as part of traditional New Year's celebrations on the sands of Copacabana beach, Dec. 28, 2013.

Rio de Janeiro

A worshiper walks away after tossing offerings into the ocean during a ceremony honoring Iemanja, Dec. 28, 2013.

Rio de Janeiro

A man bicycles past as the faithful gather for a ceremony honoring Iemanja, Dec. 28, 2013.

Rio de Janeiro

Worshipers stand as people swim during a ceremony honoring Iemanja, on the sands of Copacabana beach, Dec. 28, 2013.

Rio de Janeiro

A worshiper tosses flowers into the ocean during a ceremony honoring Iemanja, , Dec. 28, 2013.

Rio de Janeiro

Two of the faithful hold a cross during a ceremony honoring Iemanja, Goddess of the Sea, Dec. 28, 2013.

Rio de Janeiro

The faithful gather with offerings at a ceremony honoring Iemanja, Goddess of the Sea, as part of traditional New Year's celebrations on the sands of Copacabana beach, Dec. 28, 2013.

Rio de Janeiro

Offerings remain on the sand during a ceremony honoring Iemanja, Goddess of the Sea, Dec. 28, 2013.

Rio de Janeiro

The faithful carry offerings at a ceremony honoring Iemanja, Goddess of the Sea, as part of traditional New Year's celebrations on the sands of Copacabana beach, Dec. 28, 2013.

Rio de Janeiro

Offerings remain on the sand during a ceremony honoring Iemanja, Goddess of the Sea, as part of traditional New Year's celebrations on the sands of Copacabana beach, Dec. 28, 2013.