Patrisse Cullors explains the meaning of Ashe as a powerful spiritual energy and life force within the Yoruba and Ifá traditions. She describes Ashe as both an energetic field—internal and external—and a kind of spiritual punctuation, similar to an exclamation point or affirmation. While its use in Black American communities may differ slightly from its traditional meaning in Yorubaland, Cullors shares that she sometimes uses “Ashe” in a way similar to “Amen,” or as a closing statement after a performance, like a period that seals intention. At its core, Ashe represents one’s vital life force—the energy that moves through and surrounds a person, carrying power, intention, and spiritual presence.