The Red God Unveiled: A Guide to Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones incorporates magic as a secondary element, with the majority of conflicts being resolved through military force, negotiations, or political intrigue. While religion is present, most people in Westeros do not anticipate direct divine intervention from their deities. The followers of R'hllor, the Lord of Light, have a more personal relationship with their god, who is a captivating mythological figure responsible for various abilities such as warmth and resurrection.

Lord of the Rings does not necessarily require prior knowledge of the mythological background of Middle-earth, although having such knowledge would be beneficial. In contrast, Game of Thrones only briefly touches upon the distant past, often obscuring key aspects through unreliable narratives. While Tolkien provides explicit details about his gods, Martin leaves his gods shrouded in mystery. The existence of inexplicable magic implies the presence of something beyond human comprehension, which can manifest itself in various forms, with the Lord of Light being just one possibility.

Who is the Red God?

R'hllor, who is known by various names such as the Lord of Light, the Red God, and the God of Flame and Shadow, is worshipped as a distinct deity within a self-contained religion. Unlike the Faith of the Seven or the Old Gods of the Forest, R'hllor is independent and not intertwined with these established belief systems. The followers of R'hllor firmly believe in his status as the one true god, regarding all other deities as malevolent forces or tricksters that must be vanquished. As R'hllor is a mythical entity, all knowledge surrounding him originates from his devoted adherents. R'hllor is widely regarded as the embodiment and controller of light, fire, and life, while also being associated with shadows, which are created by light itself. His dominion is said to encompass anything that is considered good, joyous, and radiant. In direct opposition to R'hllor stands a malevolent deity known as the Great Other, whose name remains unspoken. This god is believed to wield influence over coldness, darkness, fear, and death. Each night, the Great Other obfuscates the sun, only for R'hllor to summon the dawn every morning in order to repel evil. The followers of the Lord of Light often chant the well-known refrain, "The night is dark and full of terrors," to which they must respond, "Lord, cast your light upon us."

Who worships the Red God?

Fire priests, also known as R'hllor's clergy, practice the faith of the Lord of Light. This religious belief is not commonly found in Westeros, but rather originated and continues to be prevalent in Essos, the ancient continent from where the First Men migrated. High Valyrian is still spoken by fire priests, either as a testament to tradition or due to their shared cultural heritage. The Free Cities, notably Braavos, Myr, Lys, and Volantis, consider the Lord of Light their main deity. In the far eastern city of Asshai, worshipers of the Red God can be found, although it is not their predominant faith. Red priests lead their congregations in rituals centered around fires, with a bonfire being the focal point of almost every ceremony. Temples dedicated to the Red God conduct nightly prayer sessions around large fires, calling upon R'hllor to bring forth the dawn.

This religion is deeply rooted in fear, with the belief that the world they live in is hell. Fire priests follow the Lord of Light and believe that they will be saved once all non-believers are burned. They are fixated on prophecy and claim to see mystical visions in flames. They eagerly await the return of Azor Ahai, a legendary savior who is said to wield a flaming sword and defeat the Long Night. This figure is also known as "The Prince That Was Promised." Though the show does not reveal the identity of this figure, there are hints in the books that suggest Daenerys Targaryen may be the Lord of Light's supposed avatar. However, this remains a theory.

Melisandre is the most prominent fire priest in Game of Thrones. Throughout the series, she represents this religion and attaches herself to various characters, offering her immense power. She becomes the advisor and lover of Stannis Baratheon, as he struggles to reclaim the throne from his brother's illegitimate child. Melisandre possesses the ability to see the future in the flames and has mastered shadow and blood magic, resulting in an assassination that has significant consequences. After Stannis' death, she becomes connected to Jon Snow and resurrects him using the power of R'hllor. In the final season of the HBO series, she is shown using magic to imbue weapons with fiery properties. Melisandre is one of the most powerful practitioners of magic in the franchise, and her association with R'hllor makes her a dangerous character.

The Red Priests present compelling arguments. The world of Westeros and its surroundings often resemble a realm of horror. Particularly, the darkness of night, especially during the Long Night, instills fear. When a follower can accurately foresee events, bring back the deceased, and command fire, it becomes difficult to dispute their alignment. R'hllor, a possessive deity, appears to genuinely prioritize humanity's well-being. Although it may resemble a complex form of sun worship, the faith in the Lord of Light emerges as one of the most captivating religions in the Game of Thrones universe.