The Father

The Father is one of the seven aspects of the single deity worshiped by the Faith of the Seven, the principal religion of the Seven Kingdoms. He is the god of judgment, justice, and the law, and is traditionally depicted as a bearded man of advanced years, often seated upon a throne. His role is to weigh the souls of the dead and determine their fate in the afterlife, a concept that underpins the Faith's moral and legal framework.

Role and Iconography

The Father is the arbiter of justice, the figure to whom the faithful pray for fair judgment and to whom they appeal when seeking truth. In the septs of Westeros, his statue is a common sight, often shown with a stern, solemn expression befitting his role as the ultimate judge. The septons teach that the Father sits in judgment over the souls of the dead, weighing their good deeds against their sins. This imagery is central to the Faith's understanding of the afterlife and provides a powerful incentive for moral behavior among the living. The Father is also invoked in legal and judicial contexts, with oaths often sworn "before the Father" to emphasize their solemnity and the divine witness to the truth of the words spoken.

The Father in Prayer and Doctrine

Prayers to the Father are often pleas for justice, for the righting of wrongs, or for guidance in making difficult decisions. The faithful ask him to "judge justly" and to grant wisdom to those who sit in judgment on earth, such as lords and kings. The Father is also seen as a protector of the innocent and a punisher of the guilty. In the holy book of the Faith, The Seven-Pointed Star, the Father is described as the creator of the world and the giver of laws. The doctrine of the Seven holds that each aspect of the godhead has a distinct role, and the Father's is to provide the moral and legal order that underpins civilization.

The Father in the Narrative

Throughout the narrative of A Dance with Dragons, characters invoke the Father in moments of crisis, judgment, and moral reflection. When Tyrion Lannister is being praised for his ability to make men smile, Septa Lemore tells him, "You should thank the Father Above. He gives gifts to all his children" . This reflects the common belief that talents and abilities are divine gifts from the Father. In a more somber context, during the trial of Cersei Lannister, the High Septon tells her that she must stand before the Father's judgment seat to swear the truth of her innocence . This underscores the Father's role as the ultimate witness and arbiter of truth, a figure whose judgment is both feared and sought by the faithful. The Father is also mentioned in the context of the creation of humanity, as Septa Lemore states, "The Mother and the Father made us in their image" , reinforcing the idea that the divine is the template for human existence.

The Father and the Other Gods

The Father is one of the seven aspects of the godhead, each with a distinct function. He is often paired with the Mother, who represents mercy and nurturing, creating a balance between justice and compassion. The Father's stern judgment is tempered by the Mother's mercy, a dynamic that is central to the Faith's theology. This balance is reflected in the prayers of the faithful, who may appeal to the Father for justice and to the Mother for mercy in the same breath. The other aspects—the Warrior, the Smith, the Maiden, the Crone, and the Stranger—each have their own domains, but the Father's role as the judge is perhaps the most consequential for the moral and legal order of Westerosi society. The Faith teaches that all souls must ultimately face the Father's judgment, a belief that gives the religion its power to shape behavior and enforce social norms.