The Lord of Light, alternatively well known as R’hllor in TV’s “Game of Thrones”, is Mainly worshipped in the continent of Essos. I chose to include this one as there are some believers and followers of this in Westeros. The Lord of Light is described as a “Fire God” and its clergy is referred to as “Fire Priests” and his worship is centered around fire and light. This religion is centered on a belief in the existence of two deities. According to the main Character who introduced this religion, Melisandre “A god of light and love and joy, and a god of darkness, evil, and fear, eternally at war” The Lord of Light is a God of fire, he provides light, heat and life, and struggles against darkness, cold, and death. There is a dualistic view to this religion, its more dedicated, fanatical, followers believe hat R’hllor is the only “one true god” and all others such as The Old Gods of the Forest, Faith of the Seven and the Drowned Gods are only demons and false idols and must be cast down and burned.  

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       R’hllor’s worship involves the idolization of fire and light. Shadows are created by light making them very important for this worship. This religion is focused on prophecy, and on ecstatic visions that are received though the flames. The character Melisandre claims to receive visions about the future by staring into the flames. When it comes to the practices of this religion, of course all worship would involve fire. This can range from simple little bon fires to extreme cases such as advocating a sacrifice of non-believer by immolation. The symbol of R’hllor is a fiery heart. In the temples of the Lord of light, the Red Priests conduct bon fires and sing prayer each night. Their common prayer begins with “The night is dark and full of terrors” and then is followed by responses such as “Lord, cast your light upon us”.

 

        According to the Author of the books, George R.R Martin, he states that the R’hllor religion is very strongly influenced on the real-life religion of Zoroastrianism, also known as Mazdayasna is one of the real world’s oldest religions main element that the R’hllor religion borrows from this is that it is a ditheistic religion: there is only one true, “good” God that is locked in eternal combat with an evil deity. Zoroastrianism may have also influenced several later Dualistic belief systems, such as Gnosticism, Manichaeism, and Catharism, which the R'hllor religion also resembles in some respects. For example, in Gnostic belief, the material world was made by an evil, devil-like deity known as the Demiurge, who trapped the immaterial souls of humans in the physical world, while the true God is trying to free human souls from the evil physical world. Similarly, in the TV series Melisandre explained to Shireen that in the Lord of Light's religion, the current world of the living is essentially "hell", and the Lord of Light is trying to free his faithful followers from it. It is clear to see the similarities in the treatment of fire in both religions. Zoroastrian’s worship at Fire Temples and pray near any sort of flame and Fire is considered a medium through which spiritual insight and wisdom is gained. Melissandre communicates, worships and is empowered through fire, as are the worshipers of Zoroastrianism. Both Zoroastrianism and the religion of R'hllor put fire at the center of their rituals and practices. In both religions, fire is seen as a purifier, although in Zoroastrianism fire is said to be derived from water, which is also viewed as purifying. Zoroastrians believe the day is divided into five parts, or gahs, and are expected to pray during each of the five divisions. Prayers must be performed facing a fire or other type of light source, and often involve an act of cleansing. Followers of R'hllor perform all of their rituals in the presence of fire. We haven't been shown any religious text used by R'hllors followers, and similarly, Zoroastrian priests are expected to know and perform prayers and texts from memory.