What Religion Is Elden Ring Based On?

Elden Ring is not based on a single, specific real-world religion. Instead, its rich lore and world-building are a complex tapestry woven from themes and elements drawn from various real-world religious traditions and mythologies, with a significant emphasis on Christian allegories and concepts.

While Elden Ring presents a unique, original fantasy world, its underlying thematic and narrative structures bear striking resemblances to established religious frameworks. The creators, Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin, meticulously crafted a universe that evokes deep mysticism and philosophical inquiry by integrating diverse spiritual concepts, creating a world as envisioned.

Primary Religious and Literary Influences

The most prominent influences observed in the game include:

• Christianity: Numerous parallels can be drawn between Elden Ring's cosmology, iconography, and narrative arcs and Christian theology. This includes:

  • Divine Figures and Hierarchies: Concepts of a singular, all-powerful entity (the Greater Will), demigods, and various factions vying for divine favor or challenging established orders.
  • Sacrifice and Rebirth: Themes of characters undergoing profound transformations, often through suffering or sacrifice, mirroring concepts of redemption or spiritual awakening.
  • Moral and Ethical Frameworks: The game subtly explores ideas of sin, corruption, grace, and damnation. The journey of the Tarnished can be seen as an allegorical quest where their actions and choices resonate with equivalents of the Seven Deadly Sins, influencing their path through the Lands Between.
  • Biblical Imagery: Certain architectural styles, character designs, and even boss encounter themes might evoke imagery found in Christian art and scripture.

• Dante's Divine Comedy: A profound literary influence is evident through themes borrowed from Dante Alighieri's epic poem. Just as Dante journeys through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise, the player's progression through Elden Ring's diverse and often nightmarish landscapes parallels a similar spiritual and physical odyssey. This allegorical journey often involves confronting internal and external corruption, reflecting the Divine Comedy's exploration of human depravity and divine justice.

• Other Real-World Religions and Mythologies: Beyond Christian themes, Elden Ring incorporates elements from:

  • Norse Mythology: Concepts like a shattered world-tree (the Erdtree mirroring Yggdrasil), powerful gods and ancient giants, and a cyclical nature of existence (the Elden Ring's influence on the world's order).
  • Gnosticism: Ideas of a false god or a hidden true reality, where certain characters seek to unveil deeper truths or break free from a predetermined cosmic order.
  • Eastern Philosophies: Subtle hints of fatalism, impermanence, and the interconnectedness of all things might be present, reflecting broader mystical traditions.

How Religious Themes Shape the Game

The integration of these religious and mythological themes is not explicit but rather forms the foundational fabric of Elden Ring's world. They contribute significantly to:

• World-Building: The decay and grandeur of the Lands Between, the motivations of its inhabitants, and the very nature of the Elden Ring itself are imbued with deep, often somber, spiritual significance.
• Narrative Depth: The overarching story, involving the restoration or destruction of the Elden Ring, delves into complex questions of fate, free will, and the nature of divinity.
• Player Experience: The challenges faced by the player, and the various factions and endings they can pursue, often present moral dilemmas and reflect different philosophical stances on the world's ailments.

By drawing upon a multitude of real-world religious and mythological frameworks, Elden Ring creates a fantastical yet profoundly resonant experience that explores universal themes of power, decay, faith, and ambition. For more information about the game, visit the Elden Ring Official Website.