Written by Carlene
For those of you who are searching information about the religions in Antemidia, we prepared this short article, including all information on the topic that we managed to find. Unfortunately, there isn’t much of it, but we hope to learn more from the next books in the “Mermaid Princess Amelia” fantasy series.
Starting with the absolute basics, religion seems to play a huge role in Antemidians’ life. It acts as a source of comfort, hope and pride – and motivation too, as the vast majority of gods (if not all of them) were once national heroes – outstanding people who had dedicated their lives to achieving amazing things.
It’s unclear, how many gods are there in the Antemidian Pantheon. For sure, there’s the trinity of most important gods: Sal-An-Syon, Um-Nah-Mel and Ala-ne-ra. It looks like, the three most important generals ruling the country of Antemidia, are meant to correspond to this, for they’re General Asvald, General Esteban, and General Aalona. Except them, there are also other generals in the council – just like there are other gods in the pantheon. It’s not known, however, whether this is accidental or not.
Let’s take a look at the trinity now:
Sal-An-Syon – Sal-An-Syon is most important deity in Antemidia. Despite this, not much is known about him (at least, not from “…The Lost Symphony”). He belongs to the trinity together with Um-Nah-Mel and Ala-ne-ra. The three of them were painted on the fresco in Amelia’s glass palace. They held each other’s tails in a clockwise fashion, to resist the whirlpool coming at them. Their history is strongly related to the country’s name, which means “Do not forget,” although Amelia doesn’t clarify it. It’s important to know, though, that Sal-An-Syon is the first person merpeople of Antemidia pray to, even during dangerous times. They often call him, when something shocks or terrifies them. “For Sal-An-Syon’s sake” is a common calling. Interestingly, his name is used in other phrases, too: for example, there’s a greeting which goes: “Praise be to Sal-An-Syon!”
Um-Nah-Mel – Um-Nah-Mel is the second god in the Antemidian trinity. A little is known about his background. He was a prominent Nerlandese triton born in Nöntal, Nerland, who had later moved to Antemidia, and trained to become god, together with aforementioned Sal-An-Syon. He was actually Sal-An-Syon’s protégé, which means, Sal-An-Syon trained him, to make sure he could advance in his career. It’s highly likely that Um-Nah-Mel was under deep influence of Sal-An-Syon. Together with him and Ala-ne-ra, they trained to become gods, and succeeded. Interestingly, Um-Nah-Mel is a god in Antemidia, but not in Nerland. His name is also used in greetings, typically appearing after Sal-An-Syon’s name, and before Ala-ne-ra’s name.
Ala-ne-ra – Ala-ne-ra is the third person in the trinity, the only woman in it, and a goddess. Even though she’s an important person, Amelia doesn’t mention almost anything about her, which could be a sign, she doesn’t feel close to this deity. Portraits of the Antemidian trinity hanged in the border booth.
Let’s take a look at other gods who don’t belong to the trinity, now:
Yal-An-Dal – Yal-An-Dal is yet another important god in the pantheon. Even though he doesn’t belong to the trinity, we have quite a lot of information about it. Before the earthquake occurred, Amelia had to inaugurate the newest monument built to honor him. He was a national hero, living in the fifth current of the sixth starfish (17th century). According to Amelia, he had led her country’s civilian out of the Caribbean Sea’s border, to save them from the invasion of a tribe living in the Central Atlantic. He sacrificed his life to protect the stone tablets that had confidential information about Antemidian history. Interestingly, Amelia’s fifth name, Yolanda, was inspired by him.
Ar-lei-ta– Ar-lei-ta was an Antemidian heroine that Amelia liked quite a lot. It’s unknown though, why she liked her, she never stated the reason. In any case, Edith painted her for Amelia’s sixteenth birthday, so she must have been quite popular even abroad, with her looks known among foreigners.
Ux-ma-ya and Tak-an-tal – Twin deities. Amelia mentions that the family clan of Tikalie Uxmal, the previous princess of Antemidia, was related to them.
These gods seem to be ever present in the Antemidians’ reality. Their portraits hang in important places; and they have several monuments dedicated to them. To give you an example, the gate to the capital of Antemidia, Atanga, is decorated by glass sculptures of gods sitting on it. Amelia stated such sculptures are a frequent sight in the city, adorning many other places.
In Atanga, there’s also an avenue paved with gold, with famous heroes’ fins cast in it. If a mermaid or triton’s fin fits, the hero becomes their patron. It’s highly likely that Antemidians view several of their gods just as Christians view saints, but we can’t confirm it with so little information.
Atanga is also a city filled with countless temples. Very often, speeches are given there. Attending them doesn’t seem to be mandatory, though. Amelia mentions that if someone finds the speeches boring, they can go home.
Who’s your favorite god from the pantheon? Let us know in the comment section below!
Related articles:
- The mermen’s roles in “Mermaid Princess Amelia and the Lost Symphony”
- Mermaid magic in the “Mermaid Princess Amelia” fantasy series
- Antemidia (The Caribbean Sea) – A Mermaid Kingdom From Mermaid Princess Amelia Fantasy Novel Series
- Tikalie Uxmal – a tertiary character in “Mermaid Princess Amelia and the Lost Symphony“
- The CONCH, TUNA and other undersea mermaid organisations in “Mermaid Princess Amelia and the Lost Symphony”
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