Oceanism

The official symbol of Oceanism depicts a water drop that makes circles after a contact with a liquid surface. Three “waves” have been added to this symbol only after the Unification Wars. They refer to three classes of the society: Nobility, First Class and Second Class citizenry. It is important to notice that only the top “wave” is connected to the drop – it implies power and agency of the Noble class while reinforcing the still stability of subservant classes.

Originally, “Mahaasaagaravaad”, Oceanism is a major religion that have formed on the Pangean continent of Limmea, and over a millennia spread across the whole planet.

Overview

The main doctrine of Oceanism revolves around an idea that all beings alive and dead originate from one single whole. This all-bounding entity is called for The Cosmic Ocean, The Great Ocean or just The Ocean. Oceanists believe that when one’s physical body dies, their soul (aatma) does not disappear, but like a drop of spiritual liquid, merely dissolves in an endless ocean – just to be later reborn in a new body. This cycle of life is perceived by Oceanists as uninterruptible and endless. Only the purity of life an individual chose to live is determining how big of a splash they are going to make before their inevitable reunification with the Cosmic Ocean.

Plurality of Interpretations

As of the First Era, there are slightly over a dozen confessions, sects and cults in the Empire that each have a different interpretation of this religion.

The Way of the Oceanic Unity – The most ancient and powerful branch of Oceanism. Its priesthood is represented in the Chamber of Lords and the Way also controls the grandiose Temple of Water near the heart of Capitol of Limmea. Followers of The Way of the Oceanic Unity believe that humanity began on Limmea as an ancient and powerful civilization. According to them, thousands of years ago Limmean humans have colonized the stars, but grew arrogant and were punished by the Great Floods. They also believe in progressive reincarnation where obedience and virtue lead one’s soul to be reborn in a higher caste, while bad deeds will be inevitably punished after the reincarnation.

Church of the Endless Ocean – A reformist branch of Oceanism that originated at Dar continent on Limmea. Differently from the Way of the Oceanic Unity, Church believes that not humanity, but life itself has originated from the Limmean oceans, and seeded the whole Universe after a collision with a comet millions of years ago. Devotees of Church of the Endless Ocean believe that reincarnation of each soul is led by completely random principals, as everyone is equally loved by the Endless Ocean of space.

Sakshi Bahanen – One of the most prominent Oceanic sects is a reclusive all-female order of nuns based in the deserts of Araszi. Sakshi Bahanen are devoted to a relatively radical ascetic philosophy of reaching the oceanic unity with the Universe through overcoming of mental and physical suffering. It means that each sister is pledging her life as an endless service to the Ocean which ends only after her death.

Symbolism

Symbol of Oceanism conveys a notion that while being a part of the endless whole, each individual can create cosmic impact by their deeds, like a small drop creates circles on water that affect the surface of the whole ocean.

Sources

Imperial Informatorium