In the riverine area surrounding Benin City, there are two types of crocodile. The Ẹghughu, known in English as the dwarf or bush crocodile, is believed to be more docile ( ; Ọbazee 2025, p. 133). The second type is the Àgbákà, the aggressive Nile crocodile ( ; Ọbazee 2025, p. 11).

Crocodiles are one of the important animals represented in the historical Emwin Arhe, and they are known as Olokun’s guards or the “policemen” of the waters. The powerful and ferocious qualities of these animals might explain why warrior figures are often depicted wearing Uhunmwu-Ẹkuẹ (pendant masks) in the shape of crocodile heads on Ama-Ẹrọnmwọn (bronze relief plaques) ( ). Olokun devotees use crocodiles as sacrificial animals in offerings during the worship of Olokun.

According to , this motif is known as Aghadaghada, a “play on the word ada,” meaning “crossroads.” The design appears as a background motif on a small number of Ama-Ẹrọnmwọn (bronze relief plaques) and is associated with Olokun and the period of close contact between the Benin Kingdom and the Portuguese Empire during the reigns of Ọba Ọzọlua, Ọba Ẹsigie, and Ọba Orhogbua ( ). At the time of Ben-Amos’s research, the same symbol was drawn in chalk at the centre of Olokun shrine courtyards in Benin City. described the design more literally as a “circled cross” and suggested that the Ama-Eronmwon bearing this background motif may have been cast by a particular ‘master’ or member of the Igun-Ẹrọnmwọn.

More broadly, the cross, with its four points, references the number four, which has significance in Edo belief: the Edo week consists of four days, and each day is divided into four parts ( ). Other cross forms are treated as distinct motifs and are discussed separately under Uman-Ague (equal-armed cross).