The Old Gods and the New: Your Guide to Religion on Game of Thrones

"The night is dark and full of terrors" isn't just Melisandre's favorite saying; it's a religous utterance by followers of R'hllor, the Lord of Light. We've already seen some of the extent of this deity's powers — remember the demon shadow baby, and the fact that Melisandre is actually several centuries old? But during season six, we're sure to experience even more of the magic R'hllor has in store — perhaps through the resurrection of Jon Snow.

Where the religion is based: Essos

What followers believe: Light and darkness are intertwined and cannot exist without one another; nonbelievers and false gods should be destroyed.

Major religious themes: light vs. dark, fire vs. shadow, sacrifice by burning

Who follows this religion: Melisandre, most of Stannis Baratheon's army (or what's left of it), and Red Priests like Beric Dondarrion scattered across the world

Remember the women who chant while Daenerys Targaryen savagely consumes a fresh horse heart in season one? Those are widowed Khaleesi, sent to Vaes Dothrak to serve the Great Stallion as his "dosh khaleen". It's no wonder that Dany has no interest in joining their creepy club, which we're sure to learn more about this season.

Where the religion is based: Vaes Dothrak and other Dothraki territory

What followers believe: The Dothraki worship "The Great Stallion" and await a savior known as (this will sound familiar) "The Stallion Who Mounts the World."

Major religious themes: consumption of horse flesh, widows-turned-wisewomen (dosh khaleen)

Who follows this religion: Dothraki, including the newly introduced Khal Moro and Daenerys's bloodriders

Remember the scene where Theon Greyjoy is baptised, kneeling on a rocky beach, by a greasy-looking guy who pours seawater over his head? Well, you're likely going to hear a lot more about the religion that inspired that ceremony in season six, especially with the introduction of Theon's uncle Euron.

Where the religion is based: The Iron Islands

What followers believe: Ironborn folk, like the Greyjoys, believe in a messiah of the sea who came forth from water (undrowned) to strengthen the people of the Iron Islands. A hard god for a hard people, Ironborn are taught by priests of the Drowned God to capture, pillage, and sacrifice in the name of paying "the iron price."

Major religious themes: resurrection from drowning, paying "the iron price," saltwater baptisms

Who follows this religion: the Greyjoys and their Iron Islands subjects

Jon Snow doesn't take his Night's Watch vows in a godswood for nothing — he and his fellow northmen follow the "old gods," whom Bran will undoubtedly learn more about during his training with the Three-Eyed Raven in season six.

Where the religion is based: The North (particularly beyond the Wall)

What followers believe: Though few Westerosi still follow the Old Gods of the Forest, the Starks and their northern lieges believe that such powers existed before men came to the Seven Kingdoms — the Old Gods' original followers were the Children of the Forest. Sacred trees, weirwoods, act as vessels to see and hear prayers, and those gifted with special abilities (like Bran) were given them by various nature dieties.

Major religious themes: weirwood ("heart") trees, greensight

Who follows this religion: the Starks, the Reeds, the Umbers, the Boltons, other northern houses, and the Wildlings

If you feel the need to blame somebody for Khal Drogo's untimely death, take it up with the Great Shepherd. Mirri Maz Duur, the maegi who tricks Daenerys into losing both her husband and unborn son, claims to have done so because Drogo "angered" her shepherd god.

Where the religion is based: Lhazar

What followers believe: Much like their god's name, believers in The Great Shepherd see all people as part of a single shepherd's flock. This god observes and protects (or punishes) every member of his flock, even nonbelievers.

Major religious themes: maegi (medicine-women or healers), sheep

Who follows this religion: Lhazareen tribespeople like Mirri Maz Duur

"There is only one god, and his name is Death. And there is only one thing we say to Death: 'Not today,'" Syrio Forel tells Arya Stark during their "dancing" lessons in season one. After a series of events that lead Arya to becoming an apprentice of the Many-Faced God in the House of Black and White, she certainly finds Forel's statement to be true — but will she be able to stick with her training this season? We'll find out!

Where the religion is based: Braavos

What followers believe: Believers worship the Many-Faced God of Death, and view death itself as a gift to end suffering. There is a strong emphasis on balance within this belief system, and followers must only bring the gift of death to those whom their god has selected.

Major religious themes: masks, debt and repayment, "All men must die," black and white

Who follows this religion: Arya Stark, Jaqen H'ghar, Syrio Forel, and many Braavosi citizens

A priest couldn't capture and publicly punish Cersei Lannister without a huge amount of religious support behind him, which is exactly what makes The High Sparrow (a follower of The Seven) so frightening. Here's what you need to know about the religion that's causing so much trouble in King's Landing during season six.

Where the religion is based: The Seven Kingdoms

What followers believe: The Faith of the Seven rests on the existence of seven deities: the Stranger, Crone, Maiden, Father, Mother, Warrior, and Smith. Each god blesses different aspects of daily Westerosi life — for example, the Warrior grants strength in battle.

Major religious themes: seven-pointed star, houses of worship called "septs" (with male followers called "septons" and female "septas"), penance for sin

Who follows this religion: the Lannisters, the Tyrells, and almost everyone else in the Seven Kingdoms

While it's unlikely to play a major role, you've undoubtedly heard Tyrion Lannister mention the gods of Old Valyria, a civilization which was destroyed in the Doom of Valyria. This polytheistic religion greatly motivated Daenerys's ancestors, inspiring fearsome dragon names. It's not vital to know this information since nobody in the show follows these gods, but it's definitely interesting background information!

Where the religion is (was) based: Old Valyria

What followers believe(d): Followers believed in multiple gods, a few of whom inspired the names of several Targaryen dragons. (Think: Balerion, Vhagar, Meraxes, and Syrax)

Who follows this religion: now-extinct Valyrians, including the Targaryens