![]() Robert Baratheon was intrigued with the Warrior, who symbolized strength. As I look back now, those who followed the Faith of the Seven usually picked one to three figures to devote their lives to, choosing what they needed most personally. Cersei was habitually referred to as caring only for her children, as her humanity was tied to her love of them and only them. The women of GoT are complex and incredibly dynamic, so it didn’t surprise me when one of the largest female characters in the show was selective in her faith to pray to one of the only feminine figures. The Mother, who represents motherhood and fertility, is in many ways treated in Westeros as a unique and separate god in times of tragedy and also growth. Not many of these figures are referenced in the show, but for carefully perceptive viewers, you may have noticed Cersei’s mention of the Mother when she talks to Sansa about her first period or when she deceitfully consoles Catelynn over Bran’s fall. There is the Father, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Warrior, Smith, and Stranger. ![]() ![]() The Faith of the Seven, similar to Catholicism’s Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost), has seven representative figures, all of which make up components of a singular judging deity. The three religions are used as significant identifiers, and oftentimes their doctrines are manipulated as justification to act out in aggression toward the others. Their interconnecting relationships are very similar to Catholicism, Judaism, and Islam. ![]() The three forms of worship are definitely the most talked about, and are also the most in conflict with each other. Any GoT novice can easily identify the function of the three most prominent religions: The Lord of Light, the Old Gods, and the Faith of the Seven. I decided to create a guide to the religions of Westeros and detail everything I learned from their presence in the fantasy world.įirst, the Big Three. Because when writers have to create cultures within their stories, they have no choice but to critique elements of their own. Martin didn’t simply appropriate what he knows, but took this space to reflect on the issues littered throughout theological history. Is it easier to write about things that already exist? Yes. Just about every one of them is a mirror of an actual form of worship. There are several religions written into GoT, big and small. So, when I didn’t inherently notice how religion was interwoven in Westeros and beyond, I wouldn’t call that lazy reading. Think of the people you know on Instagram who include a bible verse in their bios and accompany a beach picture with a general thank you to their God. So, really, talk of religion has become just a part of our social spheres as anything else. I know many people who pray to their higher power for a decent parking spot. So often do we absentmindedly dismiss or accept someone’s motives because of their religious affiliations. As crazy as it sounds, I actually didn’t think of religion that much as I read, but I take that as a sign of great and realistic writing. When I first read Martin’s books, reading to understand theology wasn’t my first priority. The religions and deities of GoT are many and widespread, like our own world with varying cultures. Besides the politics and relationships, GoT mastered a system of government that probably rules over the characters more than anything else-religion. The world Game of Thrones exists within has some of the most complex social and political systems I have ever read or seen, and the magnitude of the world building would leave any creative writer envious. Martin, and the two television writers who shall not be named, crafted an enormous world. But what I’m more interested in, as the series came to a close, is how to best reflect back on it and what the major takeaways are. But I won’t open up that debate, although I will say, there is a hefty 1.3 million people and counting who would agree with me. Arguably, Game of Thrones is certainly filled with terrors, including, but not limited to, the entirety of the final season, which will go down in my mind as one of the worst finales in pop culture history.
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