The Intricate Belief Systems of Westeros in Game of Thrones: Delve Into the Religious Landscape

Season 6 of HBO's Game of Thrones is notable for its portrayal of the power struggle between the Lannisters, the Tyrells, and the Faith. The story unfolds as Cersei Lannister witnesses her son Tommen Baratheon marrying Margaery Tyrell. During this time, she encounters the High Sparrow, a pivotal character in the series, in an episode from season 5, titled "The Wars to Come."

Cersei's visit to the High Sparrow follows a chaotic event, where her cousin Lancel Lannister and his men forcefully apprehend the High Septon for engaging in inappropriate behavior unbecoming of his religious position. Lancel confronts the High Septon, accusing him of disrespecting their faith and their ancestors. The High Septon endures physical violence and is publicly humiliated as cult members label him a "sinner." Subsequently, he pleads to meet with the small council of Tommen Baratheon and demands the arrest of the High Sparrow, the leader of the fanatics, in order to seek justice.

The Faith Of The Seven

Shortly after, Cersei decides to pay a visit to the High Sparrow while he is tending to the poor and destitute. Her main motivation is to strengthen the Faith Militant so as to eliminate the Tyrells from the capital. Through this encounter between Cersei and the High Sparrow, viewers are provided with insights into the various aspects of the Faith of the Seven. However, it is important to note that Westeros is a land where religious practices take on different forms. For instance, the Ironborn of the Iron Islands worship a deity called the Drowned God, while the Northerners swear by the Old Gods. Game of Thrones explores the diverse ways in which the inhabitants of Westeros engage in their respective religious beliefs. Even Jon Snow's parents, Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen, chose to marry in a quiet ceremony following the faith of the Seven. Some characters on the show exhibit a deep fear of the gods, highlighting the significant role that religion plays in the Seven Kingdoms. Given the prominence of religion throughout the continent of Westeros, it becomes crucial to shed light on the major religions of this land.

Cousin Lancel aligns himself with the Faith of the Seven, the prevailing religion in the Game of Thrones universe. The central belief of this faith is its monotheistic nature, with the notion that there is one God comprising seven distinct aspects: the Father, the Smith, the Warrior, the Mother, the Maiden, the Crone, and the Stranger. The Faith holds great significance within the story and profoundly influences the inhabitants of King's Landing. Although the Andals introduced the Faith to Westeros, its reach never extended beyond the continent's borders. It is widely practiced throughout the realm, except in the North where the Old Gods of the Forest are still revered, and the Iron Islands where the Drowned God maintains the majority of followers. Originating in Andalos on the continent of Essos, legend tells of the Andals encountering the "God of Seven" and subsequently spreading the Faith in Westeros.

Additionally, some skilled warriors of the Andal clan etched the seven-pointed star symbol onto their bodies as a symbol of devotion, much like in the Game of Thrones series. The Andals also possessed steel weapons that greatly aided them in conquering and annihilating the First Men and the Children of the Forest. They further decimated most of the Weirwood trees in the southern region of Westeros, which hold sacred significance in the worship of the Old Gods of the Forest. To put it simply, wherever the Andals ventured, they imposed their religious superiority and replaced the Old Gods with the New Gods.

Eventually, the Faith of the Seven nearly eradicated the worship of the Old Gods throughout the southern territories of Westeros. The Faith Militant, its military sect, continued to enforce justice until their authority was revoked by the Targaryens. Consequently, they could no longer mediate, hold trials, or pass judgments over kings or society as they had previously done. Furthermore, the Faith opposed the Targaryens after Aenys I arranged the marriage of his eldest daughter, Princess Rhaena, to his son and heir, Prince Aegon. This event, known as the Faith Militant uprising in Game of Thrones lore, led to the expulsion of Septon Murmison from the Faith for officiating the Targaryen wedding. The High Septon publicly condemned Aenys as the "King Abomination," and Murmison was brutally killed on the orders of the Poor Fellows, a group comprised of commoners. This uprising continued until King Jaehaerys the Wise reconciled with the Faith and established the Doctrine of Exceptionalism, in which the throne pledged to protect and defend the Faith, while the latter agreed to tolerate Targaryen marriage customs.

Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones took a risky gamble when she revived the Faith Militant. This ultimately led to the Faith's widespread persecution, and as she had planned, the capture of Loras and Margaery Tyrell. However, when Cersei herself was apprehended for engaging in adultery, incest, and regicide, and later subjected to a humiliating Walk of Atonement, she strategized and detonated the Great Sept of Baelor using wildfire, following her release. In one fell swoop, Cersei eradicated all her adversaries and liberated the capital city from the very zealots she had initially empowered.

The Drowned God And The Old Gods of The Forest

The Ironborn, natives of the Iron Islands off the Western coast of Westeros, hold a strong religious belief in the Drowned God, while the Old Gods of the Forest are revered in the North. The Faith of the Seven has little influence in these regions. As depicted in Game of Thrones, the Ironborn's way of life, centered around piracy, raiding, and pillaging, is justified by their doctrine. According to their faith, the Drowned God bestowed fire upon the sea and created them to engage in reaving, raiding, and pillaging. The sea plays a crucial role in the religious rituals and practices of the Iron Islanders. Killing an enemy is considered a righteous act, and the religion encourages obtaining possessions through force from defeated foes, rather than through payment or trade.

The Old Gods of the Forest, a polytheistic religion, is a pantheon of countless nature spirits revered primarily by the Northerners. In both Game of Thrones and its prequel, House of the Dragon, followers of this religion engage in quiet contemplation within Godswoods, small forested areas found within castles. Winterfell's Godswood, for example, contains a sacred symbol of the religion called the heart tree - an ancient Weirwood tree with a face etched into its bark. Promises and oaths made before this tree are considered sacred and binding. In a notable scene from Game of Thrones, Sansa Stark and the cruel Ramsay Bolton's wedding ceremony takes place at the Weirwood tree in Winterfell's Godswood. The bride, escorted before the heart tree, seeks the blessings of the Gods before marrying Ramsay, while Roose Bolton, Lady Walda Frey, Myranda, Theon Greyjoy, and other Northerners bear witness to the union.