Shu-Korath
| Shu-Korath | |
|---|---|
| Related to | Teod and Arelon |
| World of Origin | Sel |
| Universe | Cosmere |
Shu-Korath is a sect of Shu-Keseg that is centered in the Selish nation of Teod.[1] While once more widespread, it is now officially practiced only by the people in the nations of Teod and Arelon.[2][3] Shu-Korath is regarded as a docile and unassuming[4] faith, practiced in chapels designed to make its patrons feel comfortable.[5]
Beliefs[edit]
The Korathi worship a merciful, loving god known as Domi, often referred to as “Merciful Domi.” The central tenet of the faith is the unifying power of love. [6]
- Elantris
- While the Korathi denounce the magic of the Elantrians as a sham,[7] its priests teach that the Elantrians themselves, even after the Reod, are children of Domi and as such should be treated with respect and love.[5]
- Seons
- The official stance of Shu-Korath regarding seons seems to be one of distaste, as they are associated with the magic of Elantris.[8][7] This is evidenced by the church’s patriarch throwing Sarene’s seon Ashe out of a Korathi chapel in Teod.[5] However, both Raoden and Sarene view seons as gifts from Domi, expressions of His love that are sent to provide protection, comfort, and friendship.[6][7]
- Additional Teachings
- All people’s personalities are gifts to be enjoyed[9]
- Unity can spring from strife[5]
- Aid should be provided to those who are less fortunate[10]
Religious Texts & Iconography[edit]
- Korathi scriptures are contained in the Do-Korath.[7]
- Additional information regarding the history and use of Aon Omi in Shu-Korath can be found in the Origins & History section of this page.
Organization & Hierarchy[edit]
The Korathi church is led by the patriarch, a title that is currently held by Seinalan.[12] Chapels are led by priests, with “head priests” designated in each city.[4] Additionally, an unspecified group of leaders is responsible for electing a new patriarch when necessary[13] and presumably takes charge of interpreting and safeguarding church doctrine.
Origins & History[edit]
Split from Shu-Keseg[edit]
Shu-Korath developed when one of Keseg’s students, Korath, set out from JinDo to spread Shu-Keseg’s central tenet of unity of all mankind, teaching that it should be achieved through love.[8] These teachings were later used as the basis for the new faction of Shu-Keseg, named Shu-Korath after its founder.[11]
Establishment in Arelon and Teod[edit]
Korath traveled to the nation of Arelon, whose people worshipped the Elantrians, living gods who resided within its borders. Secure in their own divinity,[14] the pre-Reod Elantrians allowed other religions to preach within their nation, even within the city of Elantris itself. However, the religion didn’t gain a significant following in Arelon until after the Reod, when the Arelene rejected Elantrian divinity based on the Elantrians’ perceived “disease” or “curse.”[15]
Following Korath’s death, his follower ShanVen moved the center of the religion’s operations to Teod, whose monarchy adopted Shu-Korath as the country’s official religion.[11]
Elantrian Influence & Intersections[edit]
Prior to the Reod, Elantrian culture influenced the symbology and practices of the religion that later became known as Shu-Korath.[16]
- Aon Omi
- Chief among these influences was Korath’s adoption of Aon Omi as a representation of the church and God, shocking his contemporaries who viewed Aons as symbols of heathens and pagans. Korath, however, chose a symbol of what many considered to be a competing religion in order to demonstrate God’s love and acceptance of all peoples.[11]
- Aon Omi later became the official symbol of the Korathi church and can be found carved on buildings, especially chapels. Pendants carved with Aon Omi are worn around the necks of Korathi priests and other devout followers of the church, and similar pendants are exchanged during Korathi wedding ceremonies.[11][17]
- Omi is also the root word in the name of the Korathi god, Domi, who was previously referred to using the JinDo name “Dashu.”[11]
- Korathi Chapel in Elantris
- In a show of mutual respect and as a sign of friendship to Teod, the Elantrians built a grand Korathi chapel, said to be the most beautiful of its kind, within the walls of Elantris.[14] This chapel later became home to Raoden and the center of New Elantrian operations.[18]
- Religious Practices
- Ceremonies such as the Widow's Trial were influenced by Elantrian culture. Members of Shu-Korath are expected to perform such ceremonies even though anything involving the city of Elantris is considered taboo in the time of the Reod.[5]
- Following the Reod, Korathi priests prepared those taken by the Shaod for entry into Elantris. The priests bathed the new Elantrian in water from the Aredel River, clothed them in a white robe, and provided them with a food basket containing bread, vegetables, grain and wine.[19]
Conflict with Shu-Dereth[edit]
Though Shu-Korath and Shu-Dereth have differing views on how to achieve their parent religion’s goal of unity[8], true conflict did not occur until Fjorden adopted Shu-Dereth as an excuse to conquer nearby nations under the guise of divine unification.[3][20] This reduced the number of countries whose official religion is Shu-Korath, though citizens of those countries may continue to practice Shu-Korath despite its government’s declaration in favor of Shu-Dereth. [3]
Notable Members[edit]
- Countries
- People
Notes[edit]
- ↑ Elantris chapter 6#
- ↑ Elantris chapter 3#
- ↑ a b c Elantris chapter 9#
- ↑ a b Elantris chapter 21#
- ↑ a b c d e Elantris chapter 17#
- ↑ a b Elantris chapter 16#
- ↑ a b c d Elantris chapter 41#
- ↑ a b c Elantris chapter 14#
- ↑ Elantris chapter 2#
- ↑ Elantris chapter 20#
- ↑ a b c d e f Brandon's Blog 2008
— Arcanum - 2008-04-16# - ↑ Elantris chapter 35#
- ↑ Elantris chapter 38#
- ↑ a b Elantris chapter 10#
- ↑ Elantris chapter 4#
- ↑ Elantris Annotations
— Arcanum - 2005-10-03# - ↑ Elantris chapter 63#
- ↑ Elantris chapter 13#
- ↑ Elantris chapter 30#
- ↑ Elantris chapter 53#