Bel Senir

Bel Senir is one of Odezia’s major religions. It roughly translates to “true parentage”. It teaches that there are two gods, Jessin, the Mother, and Kazte, the Father, who created all. The Mother and the Father represent slightly different values, creating perfect balance. For example, the Mother represents tenderness, mercy and imagination, the Father represents strength, justice, and insight.

Believes

Core Tenets

• The Mother and Father are creators of all, and all is created by the Mother and Father
• Everything created by the Mother and Father has inherent worth, and no harm shall be done to all that has worth
• The Mother and Father will bestow blessings upon those who listen to their words and shall punish those who transgress
• One's ancestors are the door to the Mother and Father, and shall be treated as such

Ethics

• Respect and treasure all life
• Honour your ancestors
• Respect your parents
• Respect your elders
• Love/guide your children

Religious Texts

Bel Senir’s central religious text is Bel Teri. It is divided into two sections: the Mother’s word and the Father’s word. The book does not have a front or back. Instead, read from one side the word of the Mother and from the other side the word of the Father is told, both words meeting in the middle of the book. One word does not precede or succeed the other. Instead, both tell the same story from a different perspective.

Creation, Afterlife, and other believes

WIP

Structure

Priesthood

At the head of this religion are a priest and a priestess. In theory, the priest is chosen by Jessin to recite the words by Kazte, while the priestess is chosen by Kazte to recite the words by Jessin. In reality, the priest and priestess are chosen by the high council of priesthood based on their experience and holiness.

Worship

The place of worship is the holy temple. In addition, many adherents have a family shrine. Adherents sometimes also have a household shrines. This is most common in Namda, where Bel Senir is sometimes practiced next to Kysan.
Depending on the circumstances, adherents pray to both, or specifically to the Mother or the Father.

Festivities/important dates

WIP

Origin

Bel Senir’s origins can be traced back to Enthuri in eastern Erumir. Lilinilbri was the first prophet to spread the words of the Mother and the Father and denounce the false gods. In five millennia, Bel Senir spread to become one of the major religions of Odezia.

Symbology

The most common symbol in Bel Senir is the Embrace. It is often depicted in two distinct ways. Most recognizable in wood and stone sculptures are two figures embracing. The two figures represent the Mother and the Father, but also two lovers, and parents and child. Sometimes a third figure is seen in the embrace, representing the individual in embrace with the Mother and the Father, and a child with parents.

The second depiction is a little bit more abstract. It is a drawing of a circle with on both the left and right side another half circle. At the centre of the half circle line, a smaller circle is drawn. The picture is often embellished with more lines and circles. The centre circle, the one embraced by the arms of the two smaller circles, represent the individual, but also the universe. The smaller circles embracing represent the Mother and the Father.