Religious and mythological references in Battlestar Galactica

In both the original and re-imagined versions of Battlestar Galactica various references are made to existing mythologies.

Common to both

Some of the elements of the two Battlestar Galactica science-fiction television series seem to be derived from the Mormon beliefs of their creator, Glen A. Larson. In both series the planet Kobol is the ancient and distant homeworld of the human race. According to Jana Reiss, author of "What Would Buffy Do?", Kobol as an anagram of Kolob is only one of many plot points borrowed from Mormonism by Larson. ["What Would Buffy Do?" by Jana Reiss] In Mormonism, Kolob is the star or planet nearest unto the throne of God. ["Book of Abraham" 3:2]

The "Lords of Kobol" are sacred figures in both series. They are treated as elders or patriarchs in the original series, while in the new series they are versions of the Twelve Olympians.

In both series, the twelve colonies are named after the astrological signs of the Greek zodiac; for example, Scorpia (Scorpio), Caprica (Capricorn), and Aquaria (Aquarius). Also, several of the characters in the series have names or call signs corresponding to significant characters in Greek mythology, including Apollo, Athena, and Cassiopeia.

Original series

Referring to marriage as "sealing" is another Mormon element used in the original series.

Re-imagined series

Humans

As seen in the first two seasons of the reimagined series, Humankind is polytheistic, believing in multiple gods with inspiration from Greek mythology. Humans are the descendant of the gods called the Lords of Kobol. During the diaspora from the 12 colonies, and subsequent search for the mythical planet Earth, the human survivors find out that the holy scriptures are true and that Kobol is a cursed planet, due in part to the practice of human sacrifice. Time is perceived in classical Greek fashion of cycles (in contrast to the Judeo-Christian concept of linear time); the major running theme is "All of this has happened before and all of this will happen again". [Cushman, Robert E. "Greek and Christian Views of Time." The Journal of Religion 33 (1953): 254-265.] The presence of religious figures known as oracles, distinct in role from priests, calls up the image of ancient Greek oracles, such as the famous oracle of Delphi.

There are also parallels between the Twelve Colonies and the Twelve Tribes of Israel in the search for the promised land. The diaspora is as much a trial of faith for President Laura Roslin as was Moses's 40-year journey for him. Roslin finds herself a reluctant prophetic figure whose visions help uncover the path to Earth.

The opening theme song for seasons two, three, and four (1-4 in the UK) includes a famous Hindu mantra, the Gayatri Mantra, taken from the Rig Veda. The words are "OM bhûr bhuvah svah tat savitur varçnyam bhargô dçvasya dhîmahi dhiyô yô nah pracôdayât", which may be translated in various ways but may mean:

Oh all-protecting lord, please guide our intellects, so that we may proceed in the right direction towards enlightenment".Fact|date=October 2007

Another translation is:

O earth, atmosphere, heaven: May we attain that excellent glory of Savitr the God: So may he stimulate our prayers" [ [http://tviv.org/Battlestar_Galactica_(2003)/Season_1_Soundtrack Battlestar Galactica (2003)/Season 1 Soundtrack - The TV IV ] ]

Cylon

In the re-imagined series, the Cylons are monotheistic in believing in one god, resembling a caricature of Aristotle's Unmoved mover and the Neo-Platonic One. However, this god is not the creator. The Cylons look upon themselves as the children of mankind and see their human creators as essentially evil and want to destroy them. Thus the genocide in the beginning of the 2003 miniseries. This resembles Gnostic or dualistic faith with the view of the material creation and the creature as evil (Demiurge) and true salvation comes from a timeless God beyond the creature (personified in Christ in Christian-Gnostic belief). It also resembles the Gnostic idea whereby God's true apparation is concealed from man. This is not related in any scriptures, but can only be perceived by a chosen few in a spiritual way.

Life and Death

In the re-imagined series, the Cylons don't have a childhood or die - in fact, they reincarnate with their mind born into a new adult body, joining the collective culture where there is no room for individuality. But the few Cylons who have experienced deep love or great pain develop feelings and stand out from the collective and become more integrated with their corporeal bodies. A copy of a Number 6, named Gina, was tortured and abused on the Battlestar Pegasus in the second season. She tried to escape reincarnation by ending her life permanently, similar to the Hindu or Buddhist belief of ending the cycle of the material world.

Names

In the re-imagined series, Kara's last name, Thrace, refers to a region that includes Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey. In Greek mythology this region provided a number of Greek kings (including Lycurgus, Phineas and Orpheus's father) and was known for its mercenaries. Colonial Warriors (Galactica's Viper pilots) wear a patch on the right shoulder of their flight jackets somewhat similar to the Sri Chakra, a yantra. Saul Tigh (originally called Paul prior to production, but had to be changed due to legal issues [ [http://en.battlestarwiki.org/wiki/Saul_Tigh Saul Tigh - Battlestar Wiki ] ] ) persecuted the Cylons, then, after he lost an eye, later discovered that he was one. Similarly, Saul of Tarsus (later called Paul), persecuted the Christians, then, after he was blinded, decided to become one.

The Commanding Officer of Battlestar Galactica, William "Husker" Adama, gets his last name from Adam, the first man in the Bible.

Religious Terms and Expressions

"So say we all" has been used the ending of a communal prayer in the re-imagined series, much as "amen" is used at the end of prayers in many faiths.

References