The Faith of the Seven – an intriguing religion, predominant in Westeros. But what does the faith actually teach? What is special about it? And, probably most importantly, how much of an effect will it have on the story of A Song of Ice and Fire? Let’s find out, shall we?

The Faith of the Seven is the dominant religion of Westeros. Its holy book is called The Seven-Pointed Star, its priests and priestesses are called Septons and Septas. The gods of this religion, called the Seven, are worshipped in so-called Septs.

As Septon Meribald explains in A Feast for Crows,

One God with seven aspects. That’s so, (…) , and you are right to point it out, but the mystery of the Seven Who Are One is not easy for simple folk to grasp, (…) , so I speak of seven gods.

Septon Meribald, Brienne V, AFFC¹

So we know that the Seven are not actually seven gods, they are one god with seven different aspects, being:

The Warrior , prayed to for strength in battle.

, prayed to for strength in battle. The Mother , prayed to for mercy and fertility.

, prayed to for mercy and fertility. The Father , prayed to for justice.

, prayed to for justice. The Maiden , prayed to for love.

, prayed to for love. The Smith , representing work. He is prayed to for strength related to work.

, representing work. He is prayed to for strength related to work. The Crone , prayed to for guidance.

, prayed to for guidance. The Stranger, an exception of the other aspects. It has been suggested that the Stranger is existent in many of the modern faiths, as The Storm God, The Great Other or as an aspect of The Many-Faced God (Further explanations and proof following).

History of the Faith of the Seven

The Faith of the Seven originated in a region called Andalos.

“This is Andalos, my friend. The land your Andals came from. They took it from the hairy men who were here before them, cousins to the hairy men of Ib. The heart of Hugor’s ancient realm lies north of us, but we are passing through its southern marches.” (…) The faith taught that the Seven themselves had once walked the hills of Andalos in human form. “The father reached his hands into the heavens and pulled down seven stars,” (…) “and one by one he set them on the brow of Hugor of the Hill to make a glowing crown.”

Tyrion II, ADWD²

When the Andals arrived in Andalos, their iron weapons were superior to those of the Hairy Men, whom the Andals defeated. The Faith claims that they were taught the crafting of iron by the Smith, though it is more likely that the Andals learnt it from the Rhoynar, who had settlements near to those of the Andals at the time.

But as the Valyrian freehold expanded, especially after the fall of the Ghiscari empire, it was looking for slaves. At first, the Rhoynar were the primary source of slaves, but soon the Andals were in danger, too. Although the Faith claims that the Andals migrated to Westeros looking for great empires promised to them by the Seven, it is more likely that they were fleeing from the Valyrians.

The Stranger

The stranger is an exception of the other aspects of the god praised by the followers of the Faith of the Seven, as he is not being prayed to. Also, although being referred to as male, he does not have a gender.

“Seven,” he agreed, “but no one sings of the Stranger.”

Samwell III, ASOS³

It seems like the stranger is portrayed as a heartless god, which makes Septon Meribald’s argument from the introduction even more reasonable. A god who is merciful and just, wise and naive, heartless and loving, might not be understandable to the simple folk living in rural areas.

“Half a hundred gods came with them, but there is one god all of them shared in common.” “Him of Many Faces.” “And many names,” the kindly man had said. “In Qohor he is the Black Goat, in Yi Ti the Lion of Night, in Westeros the Stranger. (…)” The Kindly Man, Cat of the Canals, AFFC¹

But let’s examine another interesting thing about the Stranger. He is worshipped in many religions, although some of them portray him as the anti-god to their gods, not only in the Faith of the Seven, including, but probably not limited to:

The Faith of the Drowned God (The Storm God)

The Red Faith (The Great Other)

The Faith of the Many-Faced God

Similarities to the Roman-Catholic Church

There are many similarities to the Roman-Catholic Church. The seven faces of one god have a striking similarity to the Holy Trinity of the Catholic church. Also, the leader of the Faith of the Seven, called High Septon, shares many responsibilities with the Pope. Both are elected by a group of important personalities, the Most Devout and the Cardinals and both are reelected upon their death.

The practice of lighting a candle under the statue of the aspect prayed to is a common practice of believers of the Catholic faith, as well (Although they light candles to only one god, of course).

But there are differences, too: While the seven aspects are likely inspired by the Holy Trinity, they are far more prominent than in the catholic faith. The ten commandments of the catholic faith even forbid polytheism.

George R. R. Martin’s religion and what effect it had on his depiction of the Faith

None of these gods have been on stage. I mean, people believe in them. Just as people believe in the Seven. But… I don’t tend to ever actually bring a god on stage and have him interacting with people. I’m not sure any of the gods in Westeros are real. I’m not sure that any of the gods in real world are real. I’m a ‘doubter’ in that sense. Which is not to say that people who believe in them don’t believe in them. I mean, in the books I think the Seven can be seen more strongly in some of the Davos chapters. I recall this section where Davos lives through the battle of Blackwater and is found clutching to this rock and he really does feel that the Mother… He had a vision of the Mother and she appeared to him and he feels that the Seven are instructing him to kill Melisandre, so… His faith in the Seven is driving some of his beliefs. And Catelyn in the books also has a religious faith in the Seven. But… Other than that it works on a more thematic and symbolic function than a literal one.

George R. R. Martin, 2011, SOURCE

So it is doubtful that the gods will have any real effect on the story whatsoever. George R. R. Martin himself has stated that. As I see it, magic exists. That is for sure. But if the magic is caused by gods, by nature or by any other source, I don’t think we’ll ever find out.

Thank you for reading this essay, I would be honoured by subscriptions to the blog, likes or comments!

Sources

1: A Feast for Crows, by George R. R. Martin. ISBN: 0-553-80150-3

2: A Dance with Dragons, by George R. R. Martin. ISBN: 0-553-80147-3

3: A Storm of Swords, by George R. R. Martin. ISBN: 0-553-10663-5

Research

awoiaf.westeros.org

reddit.com/r/asoiaf