All major religions in the world of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon

The phrase "the Old Gods and the new" is familiar to the fans of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. However, it only scratches the surface of the numerous religions that exist in Westeros. The vast fantasy world is home to many gods, belonging to different groups.

Although the religion of Faith of the Seven is common in most of Westeros, throughout the kingdom, numerous other deities are there. These varied religions reflect how rich and diverse history the Westeros have. The interactions between these religions often present tolerant coexistence to outright hostility, among their devoted adherents.

For instance, the Lord of Light is an important part of Stannis Baratheon’s storyline, while the Drowned God exists mostly when the Iron Islands are mentioned.

Meanwhile, there's an exploration of religions, from Westeros' Faith of the Seven to Moonswingers. Religious themes continue to shape Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, giving characters' actions and decisions meaning.

Major religions disclosed in the world of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon

The Old Gods of the Forest

The Old Gods of the Forest are mainly known to the people in the North like the Starks, the Wildlings and other northern families in Game of Thrones.

This old religion, passed down from the Children of the Forest, focuses on being close to nature. People who follow this religion pray to Heart Trees, which are very old trees with faces carved into them, located in special forest areas called godswoods.

This religion doesn't have priests, sacred books or formal rituals, so it's more about personal belief and doesn't have a strict order. Weddings and other important events are held near these special trees.

The belief is that the Old Gods can see through the eyes of the Weirwood trees, providing guidance and protection to the faithful. This religion seems to be closely tied to the land and its history, reflecting the rugged and independent spirit of the North. Exploring Kolkata's College Street And Coffee House

The Drowned God

In Game of Thrones, the Ironborn from the Iron Islands worship the Drowned God. This god likes toughness and bravery and supports attacking and fighting. The Ironborn think you should gain things and respect by winning them in battle, not by trading or buying. It's called paying the "Iron Price."

Rituals involve anointing with seawater, and a key ceremony is the drowning and revival of initiates, symbolizing rebirth and resilience. The phrase "What is dead may never die but rises again; harder and stronger" encapsulates their belief in enduring hardships.

The Lord of Light

Game Of Thrones Religions of Westeros (Image via Instagram/@ser_beric_dondarrion)

In the Game of Thrones, R'hllor, the Lord of Light, is a fire god worshipped mostly in Essos but also in Westeros.

This faith believes the Lord of Light and the Great Other, the cold and death god, will fight forever. The believers of this religion like Melisandre and Thoros of Myr perform fire and blood magic rituals as a symbol of dedication to the deity.

The Lord of Light's followers never believe in other gods, viewing them as false idols. They seem to trust in prophecies and visions seen in flames. As seen with Jon Snow and Beric Dondarrion, they can resurrect the dead. Sacrifices are a significant part of their worship, often involving fire, to seek favor and power from their god.

The Faith of the Seven

In Game of Thrones, the main religion is the Faith of the Seven. It believes in one god who has seven sides or parts. These are the Father, the Mother, the Warrior, the Maiden, the Smith, the Crone and the Stranger. They each stand for different good qualities and jobs people have.

The Father is all about fairness. The Mother is about kindness and taking care of others. The Warrior is about being strong and protecting people. The Maiden is about being pure and loving. The Smith is about making things and hard work. The Crone is about being smart and seeing what's coming, while the Stranger is about death and the things we don't know.

Worship is conducted in septs, and the highest religious authority is the High Septon. Below him are septons and septas who lead worship and take vows of celibacy.

This religion also has the Silent Sisters, who care for the dead and swear silence. The Faith of the Seven infuses Westeros' laws, customs and daily life.

The Many-Faced God

The assassins in Braavos, the Faceless Men, worship The Many-Faced God. This deity represents death in all its forms and is believed to encompass other gods of death from different religions. The Faceless Men view death as a gift that ends suffering and serves a higher purpose in Game of Thrones.

Their temple, the House of Black and White, is where they train and worship. They offer peaceful deaths to those in pain and take contracts to kill those deemed deserving by their clients.

The Faceless Men can change their appearance. The way they accept that 'death is inevitable' is reflected through their greeting, "Valar morghulis" (all men must die) added with "Valar dohaeris" (all men must serve).

The Old Gods of Valyria

Religions in Game of Thrones: The Old Gods (Image via Twitter/@GameOfThrones)

The Old Gods of Valyria are ancient deities worshipped by the Targaryens and other Valyrians before the Doom of Valyria.

While not prominent in Game of Thrones, they are featured in House of the Dragon. These gods are associated with the dragonlords and their powerful dragons.

Valyrian religion is marked by tolerance, allowing the Targaryens to incorporate other faiths after conquering Westeros. However, they maintain some traditional practices, like the Valyrian wedding ceremony, which involves blood rituals.

The names of Targaryen dragons, like Balerion and Vhagar, are derived from these gods, indicating their continued reverence.

The Great Stallion

The Dothraki worship the Great Stallion, a deity symbolizing strength and dominance. Their religion is closely tied to their nomadic and warrior culture. They believe in a prophecy about the "stallion who mounts the world," a leader who will unite all Dothraki.

The Great Stallion's followers practice brutal customs, including raiding and violence. The religion justifies their way of life and reinforces their societal structure, where strength and martial prowess are highly valued. The Dothraki's reverence for their horses is also a significant aspect of their worship.

The Moonsingers

The Moonsingers are priestesses who are revered by the Jogos Nhai and a few residents of Braavos.

This religion was significant in the rise of Braavos, as the Moonsingers' visions directed the escaped slaves to safety. The Moonsingers' temple is the largest in Braavos, which represents their significance in the city's diverse religious landscape.

Prophetic visions and a strong connection to their history and identity define Moonsingers' faith. Their influence goes beyond their followers, showing how religion shapes culture and society.

The characters' actions and the series' plot are heavily influenced by these religions. Understanding these religions enhances George R.R. Martin's epic tales and the cast and crew's performances.

Edited by Bhargav