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Religion in the Twelve Colonies (TOS): Difference between revisions

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{{TOS twelve colonies series}}
{{TOS twelve colonies series}}


The '''Kobollian faith''' is told to viewers in sparse detail in the Original Series.
The '''religion of the [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)|Twelve Colonies of Man]]'''<ref>Please note the difference in spelling. The Twelve Colonies of ''Man'' is the Original Series counterpart of the [[Re-imagined Series]] version, the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies of ''Kobol'']].</ref>  is described in sparse detail.


The [[Book of the Word]] is apparently the central tome of scripture, which tells of the exodus of humanity from the planet [[Kobol]] after a series of ecological disasters.
Long before the [[Thousand-Yahren War]], humanity lived on [[Kobol]]. Also with them were the ''Lords of Kobol''.<ref>While the [[Re-imagined Series]] parallels its version of the Lords of Kobol to that of the Olympian pantheon, the Original Series suggested that its faith (or, at least its appearances) paralleled that of [[Wikipedia:Egyptian mythology|Egyptian mythology]]. The pyramids, and the use of an Egyptian pharaoh's mummy headdress for the Ninth Lord of Kobol emphasizes this parallelism.</ref> The nature of these beings is not clearly defined as deity or other human ruler, although [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]] implies that the Lords of Kobol held special powers by questioning whether another strange person, [[Iblis]], is related to the Lords of Kobol ([[War of the Gods, Part I]]). Mortality, however, seems a fate that at least one of them, the [[Ninth Lord of Kobol]],<ref>Given that there was a "Ninth" Lord of Kobol, it can be suggested that there were other Lords of Kobol, but no further information on the Colonial religion is given in the single season of the Original Series, or its spinoff, ''[[Galactica 1980]]''.</ref> did not escape. The Ninth Lord has a tomb in the largest city, [[Eden]].


On Kobol, the largest city, [[Eden]], is left in ruins from the planetary disaster. Throughout the remains of the city are many structures, including the [[Tomb of the Ninth Lord of Kobol]], a pyramidal structure.
The [[Book of the Word]] is apparently the central tome of scripture, which tells of the exodus of humanity from Kobol after it is left in ruins from a series of ecological disasters.<ref>This concept reflects the then-waning [[w:Ecology movement|ecology movement]] that began in the late 1960s in America.</ref>


On the colony of Caprica, some buildings of the city are in the shape of pyramids, such as the ones seen behind [[Serina]] as she reports on the expected [[Battle of Cimtar|peace conference events]].
The Colonials continue the architectural concepts from Kobol, eons later. On the colony of [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)#Caprica|Caprica]], some buildings of the city are in the shape of pyramids, such as the ones seen behind [[Serina]] as she reports on the anticipated [[Battle of Cimtar|peace conference events]].


Some colonists from [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)#Gemoni|Gemoni]] are members of the [[Otori Sect]].
Some colonists from [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)#Gemoni|Gemoni]] are members of the [[Otori Sect]].
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Each member of the [[Quorum of Twelve (TOS)|Quorum of Twelve]] is given a [[Adama's Medallion|medallion]] as a symbol of their Kobollian authority. These medallions also serve as key to enter the Tomb of the Ninth Lord of Kobol and disabling its booby traps.
Each member of the [[Quorum of Twelve (TOS)|Quorum of Twelve]] is given a [[Adama's Medallion|medallion]] as a symbol of their Kobollian authority. These medallions also serve as key to enter the Tomb of the Ninth Lord of Kobol and disabling its booby traps.


No priesthood appears to exist, though [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]] appears to fill that role in certain circumstances ([[List of Deleted Scenes (TOS)#Saga of a Star World|Saga of a Star World - Deleted Scene]], [[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II]]).
No priesthood appears to exist, though [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]] appears to fill that role in certain circumstances ([[List of Deleted Scenes (TOS)#Saga of a Star World|"Saga of a Star World" - deleted scene]], "[[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II]]").


==Notes==
==Notes==


*While the [[Re-imagined Series]] parallels its version of the Lords of Kobol to that of the pantheon of Olympian gods of Greek mythology, the Original Series suggested that its faith (or, at least its appearances) paralleled that of [[Wikipedia:Egyptian mythology|ancient Egypt]]. The pyramids, and the use of an Egyptian pharoah's mummy headdress for the Ninth Lord of Kobol emphasizes this parallelism.
Despite the presence of the Lords of Kobol, the Original Series heavily implied that the basic structure of the human religion is monotheistic, as noted in numerous references to "God." These could be continuity errors or ad-libs by the actors rather than an attempt to establish the characters' religion.


*Given that there was a "Ninth" Lord of Kobol, it can be suggested that there were other Lords of Kobol, but no further information on the Colonial religion is given in the single season of the Original Series, or its spinoff, ''[[Galactica 1980]]''.
==References==
 
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>
*However, the Original Series also heavily implies that the basic structure of the human religion is monotheistic, so it is unclear whether the Lords of Kobol were gods, rulers or something more akin to angels or [[w:Catholic|Catholic]] saints. 


[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:A to Z]]

Revision as of 14:23, 17 January 2007

This article summarizes information on the Colonial faith of the Original Series. For information the faith of the Twelve Colonies of the Re-imagined Series, see Religion in the Twelve Colonies.
Part of the series on


The religion of the Twelve Colonies of Man[1] is described in sparse detail.

Long before the Thousand-Yahren War, humanity lived on Kobol. Also with them were the Lords of Kobol.[2] The nature of these beings is not clearly defined as deity or other human ruler, although Adama implies that the Lords of Kobol held special powers by questioning whether another strange person, Iblis, is related to the Lords of Kobol (War of the Gods, Part I). Mortality, however, seems a fate that at least one of them, the Ninth Lord of Kobol,[3] did not escape. The Ninth Lord has a tomb in the largest city, Eden.

The Book of the Word is apparently the central tome of scripture, which tells of the exodus of humanity from Kobol after it is left in ruins from a series of ecological disasters.[4]

The Colonials continue the architectural concepts from Kobol, eons later. On the colony of Caprica, some buildings of the city are in the shape of pyramids, such as the ones seen behind Serina as she reports on the anticipated peace conference events.

Some colonists from Gemoni are members of the Otori Sect.

Each member of the Quorum of Twelve is given a medallion as a symbol of their Kobollian authority. These medallions also serve as key to enter the Tomb of the Ninth Lord of Kobol and disabling its booby traps.

No priesthood appears to exist, though Adama appears to fill that role in certain circumstances ("Saga of a Star World" - deleted scene, "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II").

Notes[edit]

Despite the presence of the Lords of Kobol, the Original Series heavily implied that the basic structure of the human religion is monotheistic, as noted in numerous references to "God." These could be continuity errors or ad-libs by the actors rather than an attempt to establish the characters' religion.

References[edit]

  1. Please note the difference in spelling. The Twelve Colonies of Man is the Original Series counterpart of the Re-imagined Series version, the Twelve Colonies of Kobol.
  2. While the Re-imagined Series parallels its version of the Lords of Kobol to that of the Olympian pantheon, the Original Series suggested that its faith (or, at least its appearances) paralleled that of Egyptian mythology. The pyramids, and the use of an Egyptian pharaoh's mummy headdress for the Ninth Lord of Kobol emphasizes this parallelism.
  3. Given that there was a "Ninth" Lord of Kobol, it can be suggested that there were other Lords of Kobol, but no further information on the Colonial religion is given in the single season of the Original Series, or its spinoff, Galactica 1980.
  4. This concept reflects the then-waning ecology movement that began in the late 1960s in America.