Religion

All Hail Optimus.

Across the multiverse, different Transformers stories have explored the concept of religion, introducing new gods, religious figures, and belief systems to explore. Although they are usually introduced as a myth or story, these spiritual and religious beliefs are alarmingly confirmed to be true with some frequency, often to introduce high stakes to the story.

{{#if:Robert Epps on Optimus PrimeRevenge of the Fallen|

Beliefs

Afterlife

See also: Transformer afterlife, Spirit realm, and Tree of Life

Not to be confused with this or this. Definitely isn't that.

We are all but fragments of the Matrix, which releases each of us in order to struggle, and grow, and evolve—so when we return to it, it may grow and evolve. Thus do we serve the Matrix, not just by battling, but also by acquiring knowledge, wisdom, and experiencing love.{{#if:|{{{quote2}}}}}{{#if:Optimus PrimalEndgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future|Optimus Primal{{#if:Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future|, Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future|}}|}}

Regardless of their origin, most Cybertronians believe in the existence of an afterlife. Known by many names across the multiverse, this extradimensional existence is believed to be where sparks are born, and where sparks return to after death. Some Transformers can use relics such as the Matrix of Leadership and the Oracle, or build devices connected to stasis pods, to travel into the afterlife.

Other realms exist beyond the main Transformers afterlife. The 2005 IDW continuity depicts Infraspace as a realm of pure information that exists between life and death. In the Power of the Primes marketing material, Rodimus Unicronus, a corrupted form of Hot Rod, could gain the ability to trap his foes' sparks in a spirit realm. A Transformers Legends prose story, "Singularity Ablyss", introduced a Cybertronian version of the [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Sephirot|{{#if:Tree of Life from the Jewish Kabbalah|Tree of Life from the Jewish Kabbalah|Sephirot}}]], with the unoriginal name of the Tree of Life.

Primus and the Thirteen

See also: Primus, Thirteen, and Theomachy

Before the beginning...there was Primus. And there was Unicron. One, the incarnation of creation—the other...of destruction. For eons, Primus and Unicron battled, the balance of power shifting between them more times than could be counted. Only by creating the Thirteen—the original Primes who preceded me—was Primus finally able to defeat Unicron and cast him out. Primus became one with the very core of our planet, creating life through the Well of All Sparks, while Unicron was never to be heard from again...{{#if:|{{{quote2}}}}}{{#if:Optimus Prime"One Shall Rise, Part 1"|Optimus Prime{{#if:"One Shall Rise, Part 1"|, "One Shall Rise, Part 1"|}}|}}

How many retellings does it take for a Transformers origin story to stick?

The most prominent religious belief, often more fact than faith in the Transformers franchise, is the story of Primus, Unicron, and in later iterations, the Thirteen. Introduced by Marvel UK author Simon Furman, the 1988 comic "The Legacy of Unicron!" began a series of stories providing different versions of the theomachy - the battle between Primus and Unicron. These stories introduced the concept of Primus becoming Cybertron, and creating both the first Transformer and the Matrix of Leadership. The Dreamwave Generation One continuity would bring the Thirteen into the fold, with their ranks being filled out over the 2000s and early 2010s, resulting in the line-up established in 2013's The Covenant of Primus, set in the Aligned continuity family.

The existence of Primus and the Thirteen is more well-known in some continuites than others.

The 2005 IDW continuity introduced an iteration of the Thirteen who were simply warlords and leaders but were treated as living gods and were worshipped. Transformers from the colony world of Caminus follow the Way of Flame, a religion that worships the Thirteen, particularly Solus Prime. The Clavis Aurea sect believed that Primus had formed as a "counterbalance" to an uncreator - Unicron.

The 2019 IDW continuity depicted Termagax doubting the existence of the Thirteen, considering them metaphors to explain the existence of certain artifacts, while the Reversionists are depicted as a religious organization that worships Primus and the Titans.

The Guiding Hand

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The New God...er The Guiding Hand.

In the beginning, moments after the Formatting, when the First Light was still questing forth, all were one -- and his name was Primus. Primus - Warrior God! Forged in the Universal Furnace! Conceived as a reaction to his opposite -- and as Primus walked the surface of Cybertron, across the miracle planet, he felt an urgency in his body -- something hot and coiled and rootless: a nest of sparks. Without hesitation he broke apart his body, giving the lives inside him full force of expression. And so One became Five...{{#if:|{{{quote2}}}}}{{#if:Cyclonus"Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations"|Cyclonus{{#if:"Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations"|, "Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations"|}}|}}

The 2005 IDW continuity would introduce a new, alternative mythology involving Primus and four other gods, collectively referred to as the Guiding Hand. The concept was slowly introduced in 2011, with Springarm name-dropping Primus, Mortilus, and Adaptus in "Chaos Theory Part 2". Optimus Prime would later name-drop the Guiding Hand in "Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime", the one-shot that would kick start the true delivery mechanism for introducing the myth: The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye (MTMTE).

The 2012 annual for More than Meets the Eye would establish the "Primal Sacrament", the creation myth of the Transformers for that universe. According to the Primal Sacrament, the Guiding Hand were five aspects of the original warrior god Primus, a being conceived in reaction to his opposite. Primus, walking the surface of Cybertron, split himself into Primus the life-giver, Mortilus the death-bringer, Epistemus, the embodiment of knowledge, Solomus, the embodiment of wisdom, and Adaptus, master of change. The story claims that Primus bestowed second forms onto the new Cybertronian race and that the Guiding Hand was broken apart by the villainous Mortilus, who started the "God War". Nearly every member of the Guiding Hand became a significant relic or body part: Primus became Vector Sigma, Solomus became the Matrix of Leadership, Epistemus became a prototypical brain module, and Adaptus became the transformation cog. Mortilus, as the story goes, was killed by Primus, which depending on interpretation, meant that the Cybertronian race could live forever in the Afterspark. The Transformers: Lost Light (season 3 of MTMTE) would reveal in its series finale story arc the true history of the Guiding Hand, with some aspects of the traditional myths revealed to be untrue.

In the 2005 IDW continuity, belief in the Guiding Hand is known as Primalism, and Neoprimalism is an organized religion emphasizing belief in miracles and unholy evil beings. The Guiding Hand is also associated with myths concerning the legendary Knights of Cybertron, who were said to be disciples of the Guiding Hand. The Primal Prophecies were said to have been created by the Knights of Cybertron.

The Militant Monoform Movement espoused anti-Adaptus ideology by removing their transformation cogs. The Book of Adaptus was a disputed holy text in the Functionist Universe.

The Covenant of Primus

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning—and the end! I am that which is, which was, and is yet to come! And you will know my name is Megatron when I lay my vengeance upon you!{{#if:|{{{quote2}}}}}{{#if:The Covenant of Primus"Nemesis Part 2"|The Covenant of Primus{{#if:"Nemesis Part 2"|, "Nemesis Part 2"|}}|}}

Introduced in the two-part series finale of the Beast Wars cartoon, the Covenant of Primus (aka the Book of Primus) is a religious tome of prophecy. It is an ancient artifact belonging to Alpha Trion, capable of recording both the past and future. The Covenant of Primus contains numerous prophecies, such as the Book of Logos, but these prophecies are often interpreted by less than ideal individuals for their own sinister goals.

The Covenant of Primus refers to a mythical Megatron, who is said to be a dreaded figure that brings great destruction. This mythical "Megatron" would become the namesake of both the Decepticon and Predacon incarnations of Megatron, as depicted in the Beast Wars cartoon. In the 2005 IDW continuity, a similar tome called the Covenant of Primes exists.

Alternate beliefs

Kids, this is what happens when you mess with the Ouija board.

Unicron worshippers

The Fallen, before the Shroud, was one of the first worshippers of Unicron. The Acolytes of Unicron was a secret cult that worshipped and served Unicron in the Marvel Comics continuity.

The Ultimate Warrior

The Decepticon myth of the Ultimate Warrior appears to be a corruption of the Last Autobot story. The mystically inclined Decepticon Bludgeon dedicated his life to the "teachings" of the Ultimate Warrior in the Marvel Comics continuity.

Dark science

The War Within, a miniseries set in the Dreamwave Generation One continuity, would depict the Chaos Trinity, a trio of Decepticon mystics messing with "dark" mystical forces in attempt to gain power. The Fallen would provide Bludgeon a vision of several demonic robots, a human skull, and swords with these mysterious abilities.

Xal

The Cybertronian Mindset, in a moment of great fear, screamed "Great Xal protect me!" in an issue of the Marvel Generation 2 comics series. The nature of Xal is unknown, though the Cybertronians appear familiar with the concept of Primus which indicates Xal is a separate entity. Those heard swearing by Xal's name include Kup, Bumblebee and Sentinel Prime. The deity's name is also one of the star signs in the Cybertronian zodiac.

Various "Kin of Primus"

See also: Chronarchitect, Gaea, and Atlas

In some universes, other mysterious beings exist who are related to Primus. The Chronarchitect, an old god who is also known as the Time Walker and Ruler of Time and Space, is said to exist in abstract form outside of linear time. He communicates with the Covenant and Heinard to support the Grand Plan. Other "kin of Primus" include two beings whose alternate modes are the planet Earth: Gaea, a goddess who was believed to be needed for a future threat, and Atlas, whose existence was known by various human secret societies. In one universe, Atlas, Primus, and Unicron were said to be creations of Daiakuron, a being who could create other worlds.

Atechnogenesis

Em..., I think I need a stiff drink now.

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The very first origin ever put forth for the Transformers established that the Transformers had evolved through atechnogenesis, a mechanical parallel to [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}abiogenesis|{{#if:||abiogenesis}}]] that gave rise to life on Earth, with cybernetic life arising from the interaction between "naturally occurring gears, levers and pulleys" on the surface of Cybertron. This questionable theory was given in the very first Transformers comic ever produced and was quickly forgotten, though the concept occasionally crops up as an in-universe "atheist" viewpoint to contrast against more spiritual perspectives. A more serious take on the concept was published in a Japanese-exclusive story.

In one universe, atheistic Cybertronians are referred to as "evolutionary engineerists".

God of the Maximals

The Maximals aboard the Gung Ho professed a belief in the "God of the Maximals", an enigmatic deity who resembled the Great Convoys of the Convoy Council. <ref>"Chase the Mysterious Capsule"</ref>

Primacron

Jetfire and Scoop both swore by Primacron. Stormbringer #2

Spectralism

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Spectralism is a religious movement that places great importance on colors and their meaning. It's one of the few belief systems to not center around Primus.

Dark Cybertron Prophecy

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A story told by Onyx Prime at the beginning of the Age of Primes, the Dark Cybertron prophecy warns of a coming apocalypse, but like all stories, there's more to it than meets the eye...

Alien religions

Sometimes, other species' religions will be explored in stories. For example, the Dire Wraith going by the online handle "CONS4EVA" practiced Temptorian religion, which worships a deity called the "Brand" and features a ritual called the Crossover.

Human religions

In rare cases, Transformers have adopted the cultural and spiritual traditions of other species. Cybertronian settlers in Iron Town lived near a prominent [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Protestantism|{{#if:Protestant|Protestant|Protestantism}}]]-style church, <ref> The Brave Hero of the Universe - Star Saber" </ref> while Brainstorm once made the traditional Catholic [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}sign of the cross|{{#if:||sign of the cross}}]]. <ref> "The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery" </ref> When confronted by the Vok, a panicked Tarantulas tried to ward them off by shaping his hands into a crucifix, <ref> "Other Victories" </ref> and the Maximal Gimlet once cried out to Jesus. <ref>"A Fearsome Combination Plan?" </ref>

The Multiverse

Starting with Armada and taking place concurrently with the Dreamwave's Transformers continuity and Universe, the Primus-Unicron mythos became strongly associated with the multiverse. A series of retcons established by Simon Furman introduced the concept of a single Unicron traveling from universe to universe, attacking each reality one at a time. Fun Publications would introduce the concept of multiversal singularities, establishing that Primus and the Thirteen were also singularities, unique and one of a kind, either traveling between universes or existing across all realities. These sweeping changes caused some headaches, particularly concerning Unicron's origins in The Transformers cartoon and The Fallen, who became the titular antagonist of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The multiversal origins of Primus, Unicron, and the Thirteen became an even greater issue when the Aligned continuity family decided to do its own thing, ignoring the multiversal concepts that previous Transformers fiction had taken place in.

Eventually, the event known as the Shroud changed the nature of the multiverse, rendering iterations of Primus and Unicron as individual entities rather than multiversal singularities.

Fiction

Generation 1 continuity family

Marvel Comics continuity

No resemblance to Hot Rod whatsoever, no siree, no foreshadowing here!

Marvel The Transformers comic

This is the strangest Poké Ball I've ever seen.

Events from the UK-only comic stories are in italics.

After millennia of war, many Transformers regarded Primus and Unicron as mere legends.

Two prominent artifacts were known to exist: the Creation Matrix and the Matrix Flame. The Creation Matrix, also known as the genetic matrix, contained the essence of Primus and a portion of his power. The Primal Scream The Creation Matrix was passed from leader to leader down through the millennia: from the first Transformer Prima, to leaders Prime Nova and Sentinel Prime, and eventually Optimus Prime. Dark Creation The Matrix Flame of Cybertron was set in a golden brazier on a green altar and tended by a red tabard-clad acolyte. It is the living embodiment of the sacred Creation Matrix. Its status indicates that of the Matrix and its bearer. Target: 2006

Unicron would recount his conflict with Primus to the bounty hunter freelance peacekeeping agent known as Death's Head. At the dawn of time, Unicron and Primus led the Light Gods and Dark Gods into battle, destroying much of the old universe. Primus and Unicron fought both on the physical plane and the astral plane, but Primus could not defeat Unicron through sheer strength. Primus lured Unicron into a trap by having the Chaos Bringer follow him back into the physical realm. Rather than return to their original physical bodies, the two became trapped in asteroids, thus ending Unicron's campaign of chaos across the universe. Primus rose from the conflict as the winner, changing his new asteroid body into the planet Cybertron, but created the Matrix of Leadership as a deterrent. The Legacy of Unicron!

After encountering Demons, Emirate Xaaron explained that according to legend, the Demons were "the flipside of the Matrix's good creatures" and were entombed by Primus. Dawn of Darkness.

While the Rescue Patrol and the Autobot Classic Pretenders were preparing to travel to Earth from Autobase, Emirate Xaaron called on Primus to watch over them on their return journey. Bumblebee thanked Xaaron for reminding him that the Autobots had a God, having completely forgotten about Primus. Nobody had mentioned that legendary figure to Bumblebee in recent memory, and he had completely forgotten about him. Yesterday's Heroes!

The Keeper was there and yelled at them to bow in their unworthiness before their creator, their living god. Bumblebee, Jazz, and the Rescue Patrol complied, but Grimlock thought they were fools for falling for such trickery. He demanded proof, and so the Keeper told the story of Primus and Unicron's battle. At the end of the Age of Gods of Light and Darkness, Primus had one last task before he could take his place in the Omniversal Matrix—destroy Unicron. They fought, but Primus was not faring very well, so he fled. Unicron followed and they were both imprisoned within asteroids. Over time, both beings transformed their asteroid prisons. Unicron changed his asteroid into a transforming planetoid body. Primus built a Transformer army to fight Unicron for him and instilled his life essence into the Creation Matrix. Primus slept, waiting for the time when his creations would be ready for the epic battle. Primal Scream

Later, Optimus Prime was feeling uncomfortable with the mystical aspects of the Creation Matrix and so paid a visit to the altar on board the Ark. Kings of the Wild Frontier.

Primus would eventually provide his version of events by possessing the body of Emirate Xaaron. According to Primus, Unicron had destroyed the "old realms" that had existed before the present-day universe, and the "sentient core" of the universe created Primus to defend the universe from Unicron, leading to the theomachy. When Primus named Optimus Prime leader of the army of Cybertron, Unicron's sleeper program activated, compelling the Acolytes of Unicron to gather to assassinate Prime. The Autobots and Decepticons defeated the Acolytes, although Prime was royally pissed when he learned that Primus knew about the sleeper program, and used him as bait. The Void!

Regeneration One

Regeneration One continues from the Marvel US series, and does not include the UK stories or any subsequently published stories.

Rodimus and the Demons stumble upon an Easter Island head.

The Demons created a primitive society based around the worship of Primus. Natural Selection, Part Four

Cultists from the Acolytes of Unicron were responsible for retrieving Galvatron when he returned to Cybertron during Bludgeon's assault on the planet. Ultra Magnus had thought that the cult had disintegrated after seeing Unicron's destruction, but they had gone underground and managed to avoid Autobot detection. The War to End All Wars, Part 1 The Acolytes brought the unconscious Galvatron to the Primus chamber, where their master, pleased with their service, bid them to go... only to hasten their departure by draining their life energy. The War to End All Wars, Part 3

Cartoon continuities

The Transformers cartoon

In his final moments, Optimus Prime recited a prophecy that "one day an Autobot shall rise from our ranks, and use the power of the Matrix to light our darkest hour". His last words would later on be repeated by the survivors of the Unicron War: "'Til all are one." The Transformers: The Movie

Kup recommended praying before battle, but did not specify to whom. Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2

The spirits of Autobot leaders past dwelt within the Matrix of Leadership even after their deaths, allowing a living Autobot leader to journey within the Matrix to commune with them and receive visions of the past. Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4 The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2

Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity

Primus became known in Transformer mythology for his prophecies (such as through the Covenant of Primus) and was worshipped. Super Megatron comic 2 Three hundred years after the end of the Great War between the Autobots and Decepticons, Primus was now known as the Oracle. Through the Oracle, Optimus Primal communed with the Allspark, the extradimensional source of all Transformer life to which the computer was connected, and believed that it was the will of the Allspark that Cybertron be restored to its organic beginnings. The Innards of the Machine Following the Great Transformation, Emissary of the Fourth Planet Primus, now once again known as Vector Sigma, was recognized as the god of the Transformers and the ultimate authority over the planet of Cybertron. Big Convoy, Move Out

Beast Wars cartoon continuity

Beast Wars cartoon

In addition to its occasional invocation in prayer or righteous anger by the Beast Warriors, Bad Spark Primus's name was also lent to a set of prophetical datatrax, known as the Covenant of Primus. From this document, the Megatron of this era took his name, and the scriptures foretold the events that completed the Beast Wars. Nemesis Part 2

When the Vok spoke with Optimus Primal in Earth's pre-history, they took the form of Unicron's head, claiming that they scanned his mind and chose Unicron as an "authority figure". Other Voices, Part 1 Megatron would later invoke the name of Unicron by referring to Tarantulas as "Unicron's spawn" in a derogatory manner. Nemesis Part 1

3H Comics

The Predacon gangster Cryotek laughed at the idea that Unicron was a threat, since Unicron had been dead for three centuries, and the idea of his resurrection was a fairy tale believed only by the naive. Wreckers: Finale Part II

Dreamwave Generation One continuity

PAPA SMITE!

During the Dark Ages, the Chaos Trinity (composed of Bludgeon, Bugly and Mindwipe), were performing a ceremony to tap into dark science, when they were approached by The Fallen. The Fallen offered them power beyond measure in exchange for their servitude, which they eventually agreed to. Fragmentation The Fallen would later give Bludgeon a glimpse into the power of dark science, ensuring his loyalty. Escalation

Jetfire, a skeptic of the supernatural and metaphysical, found himself involved in The Fallen's ceremony, the Unbinding, at the Well of All Sparks. Witnessing the hand of Primus reaching out and smiting The Fallen, Jetfire began to question if something bigger than them was going on. Conflagration

Generation One ceased publication before the story could conclude. The following would have taken place in unpublished issues.

Sometime later, Jetfire experienced a vision of Primus deconstructing The Fallen with a gesture of his hand. As Jetfire struggled to rectify what he had experienced with his lack of belief in Primus, he was confronted by The Fallen, who informed Jetfire that his mindset would help The Fallen return to power. The Enemy Within

2005 IDW continuity

Rodimus calls out his gods. Spoiler alert: they answer back. Well, sort of.

Unlike many others, Transformers from this continuity hold a wide variety of religious reliefs, and the true nature of Cybertronian life remains a mystery in the modern day... except for some notable individuals, who are eventually revealed to be responsible for creating their species's greatest beliefs through memory wiping, fake prophecies, time travel, and rare ores of Energon.

Decepticons were forbidden on pain of death from believing in any religious movements, no matter how small, as obedience to any authority beyond Megatron was seen as inherently treasonous. The Permanent Revolution

The Guiding Hand was the first prominent pantheon of gods in Cybertronian mythology, known for starting the planet's first Golden Age. You, Me, and Other Revelations Primus, known as "The Celestial Architect" and "The Mechanica Divine" Metastasis, supposedly delivered the Prime Pastoral at the future site of Crystal City. Origin Myths. The Primal Sacrament described the fall of the Guiding Hand during the God War. You, Me, and Other Revelations New myths emerged from the Knights of Cybertron's age, such as the monstrous Trypticon being rumored to be a creation of Mortilus Salvation, and eventually the Knights are believed to be mythological folk heroes. Dark Dawn

Skids was described as a lapsed Primalist The Gloaming, while Flywheels was known as a "twitchy neoprimalist". Rules of Disengagement Cyclonus would claim that he used to pray in the shadow of Titans, reciting the Primal Sacrament in Old Cybertronian. Rodimus would also affirm to Drift his belief in the Guiding Hand and the Knights of Cybertron in the early days of their quest. You, Me, and Other Revelations

Many members of the Lost Light held various beliefs outside of the Guiding Hand. After a new-death experience, Drift rediscovered his spiritual side and became a practicing spectralist, Hangers On even attempting to convert Rodimus to the religion. Predestination: A Beginner's Guide Drift would later be greeted by Thunderclash with the spectralist greeting known as the Call of the Wavelength Little Victories. Rodimus would eventually convert to spectralism, being repainted in blue and purple, which Drift noted had multiple interpretations according to his beliefs. Some Other Cybertron

Primus was also involved in a separate series of myths concerning his battle with an "uncreator". Unstopped and Unstoppable All Good Things Some religious circles considered the two beings as natural balances to one another; the Clavis Aurea sect believed that Primus had formed as a "counterbalance" to the uncreator. You, Me, and Other Revelations Metastasis According to these myths and legends, Primus battled against this villainous being for eons in a war that predated the universe before eventually triumphing over his foe and casting him out. Last Stand Another account claimed that the original three Titans—Metroplex, Metrotitan, and Chela—had taken part in the battle. Origin Myths

The Thirteen Primes were the second prominent pantheon of gods in Cybertronian mythology, ruling the planet during the Age of Primes. These ancient tribal leaders ruled Cybertron together, but their egos grew as they began to believe they were immortal and that only a Prime could kill another Prime. The Crucible Origin Myths For reasons unknown, the Thirteenth Prime's name was stricken from history, along with that of his brother Megatronus; whereas Megatronus became known only as "the Fallen", the Thirteenth Prime was dubbed "The Arisen" Lagrange The Arisen, in particular, would be known as a "true Prime", Unforgivable.

The memory of the Thirteen would survive the First Cybertronian Civil War The Crucible The First Who Was Named, with Caminus's religion, the Way of Flame, deifying Solus Prime and the rest of the Thirteen. The Sum and Its Parts The Light of the Forgefire was a Camien holy text that contained an ancient poem, which served as the inspiration for Rust Dust's name. Ghost Stories

In modern times, Alpha Trion told Optimus Prime the story of the Primes' fall. The Crucible When Cybertron reconnected with Caminus, Windblade warned Optimus about the Way of Flame. Optimus's arrival on Caminus, and his "proof of divinity" by being a living Prime with the Matrix of Leadership, caused the Mistress of Flame and other Camiens to bow before Optimus. The Sum and Its Parts A small group of Camien immigrants began handing out religious pamphlets about Optimus Prime in a Decepticon ghetto of all places, The Transgressors while Optimus had an encounter with the Torchbearers in the Sea of Rust. The Torchbearers, uniquely affronted by the presence of a "Prime", question Optimus, before fighting him and eventually combining into Victorion. Optimus, prompted by Victorion to share the history of the Matrix of Leadership, tells what he knows of its origins: how "Solomus the Wise" was trapped in the photonic crystals by Mortilus, how the crystal prison was reshaped into the Matrix by Solomus, and how the Matrix eventually fell into the hands of Solus Prime, who used it to forge Prima's Star Saber. Optimus admitted that he does not believe the Matrix of Leadership is a divine object, or a "Creation Matrix" - he believes it to be an object, a piece of technology, nothing more. Lagrange

After a meeting with the Council of Worlds didn't go in his favor, Optimus met with the Mistress of Flame, who explained her belief that Optimus was The Arisen. The Medium and the Message After raising Metrotitan from the ground, As Above... So Below Optimus's divinity seemed to be all but proven, changing public opinion among Cybertronians and infuriating Starscream. No Fair Fights Optimus's increased divinity led to a journey across the colony worlds, recruiting a new generation of Autobots. Many of his closest allies, particularly Aileron, became increasingly unsettled with his use of the colonists' religious beliefs to gain their allegiance. Time Will Rust Post

The return of Onyx Prime and Liege Maximo would ultimately mark the end of Prime-based worship, with the truth about the Primes' origins The First Who Was Named ultimately destroying Cybertron's pre-existing mythology and ideologies. Unforgivable Yet even in the Transformers' darkest hour, new meanings of faith would emerge. Soundwave, wielding the Enigma of Combination, used his faith to tap into the "spiritual combination implicit in the phrase 'Till All Are One' ", connecting with the Earth Enigma. Soundwave reached into the Afterspark, united the spirits of countless Cybertronians, and sent them, Shockwave's thoughts, Stardrive's Dire Wraith magicks, and the energy of the Talisman to Optimus Prime in the heart of Unicron. Shockwave protested, arguing that he invented faith itself, but Prowl responded that "faith" is just another name for having the strength to conquer the fears within yourself. After Unicron and Optimus Prime's death, Pyra Magna realized that to her, "faith" is not what others tell you to believe, but what you believe in your own heart. Ceremony

Non-Cybertronian alien religions also existed in this universe. non-conformist Dire Wraith, going by the online handle "CONS4EVA", learned about Temptorian religious customs and the ritual known as the Crossover. Seeking to enact the ritual, he recruited "Grumpybox" and the human MP3 to help complete the ritual. The three misfits successfully opened an interdimensional portal to a higher plane of existence, but it was too small to enter. CONS4EVA interpreted this turn of events as the Temportian deity Brand telling them to make the most out of life. Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again!

G.I.Joe vs. the Transformers

Unicron was known about in Transformer legend and was said to have been banished from his homeworld. Optimus Prime admitted that he had believed Unicron to be a legend, a boogeyman, and a tall tale. Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2

Transformers vs. G.I. Joe

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Venturing deep below the surface of Cybertron, Rodimus and Duke's team learned the origins of the Transformers from the Keeper, steward of Primus's dreams. The Keeper explains that an ancient race known as the Makers created Daiakuron, a living world that could create worlds of its own. This being created Unicron and Primus, the latter of which in turn created the Transformers race. Earth: R.I.P.

Beast Wars: Uprising

According to the scriptures, Primus, along with several other bizarre deities, had held court beneath the Sonic Canyons. The First Church of Primus was erected in Dodecahex where the order debated how Primus was interpreting the current situation and how the atrocities fit into the god's infinite wisdom. During the Grand Uprising, Lio Convoy won the Church's loyalty by noting that the Resistance was only opposed to the Builder Assembly, not any religion. Derailment Despite such evidence to the contrary, information creep caused some Cybertronians to doubt that Unicron had been real. The Inexorable March Some maintained he was a conspiracy theory, made up to accomplish... something, or just outright denied his existence at all. These individuals were dubbed "Unicron Truthers". Derailment

Upon learning of their sparks, Lord Imperious Delirious developed a profound hatred of the Cybertronian race, dedicating himself to wiping them out. In a moment of self-reflection before he was destroyed by Rampage, he postulated that, among other theories, this might have been rooted in religious creeds he had inherited from his organic creators. Derailment

2019 IDW continuity

Seems legit.

Primus and the Thirteen Primes were well-known myths on Cybertron. Primus was worshipped as the creator-god of Cybertron by the Reversionists, who believed Cybertron and every forged Cybertronian were manifestations of Primus. The World In Your Eyes Part Four A statue of Primus existed before its destruction during the War of the Threefold Spark. Orion Pax: Free Fall After the war, Windblade offered thanks to Primus that the power of the orbiting Titans had not been needed for ten megacycles. The World In Your Eyes Part One At an Ascenticon rally in Tarn, Megatron spoke of the great gifts that Primus had bestowed upon their race and of how the Nominus Edict limited those gifts. The World In Your Eyes Part Two

The Matrix of Leadership's Mediator software seemed to support Primus's existence, claiming that Primus intended that the Matrix be an echo of the Allspark made of his essence. The Mediator shared with Orion Pax the legend of the Thirteenth Prime, the final bearer of the Matrix, and how they would one day claim it. Prime The Mediator later showed Optimus Prime a vision of Cybertron transforming into Primus's robot mode as it warned that the planet was preparing to die. Radical Time

The Thirteen Primes were said to have lived in the Age of Primes before they vanished. Prime Termagax considered them to be metaphors, avatars, Sea of Rust I or an expression of the life pattern that made up Cybertron itself, End of Time even postulating that the Thirteen might have been fabricated by the early Cybertronians to explain the origins of their fourteen artifacts Sea of Rust I. One legend said that Solus Prime and Alchemist Prime received Solomus to hear his plans for Crystal City, and contributed to its construction. A Dust of Crystals

When forced to take Lodestar on an almost certainly suicidal mission against a crazed Vigilem, Lightbright prayed that the Thirteen would see the two through their task. The Change In Your Nature Part Five

Calm Sleep Stories

Regarded as the Cybertronian deity of creation, Primus was said to have created Cybertron using the AllSpark before using the energy of his own spark to create the Transformer race. His creations considered energon to be a remnant of Primus. History of the Transformers

Unicron Trilogy

Cartoon continuity

Transformers of this universe believed the stories of Unicron, Primus, and Omega Supreme to be only myth and legend.

Cybertronian legend referred to an attack by Unicron on the planet that was ultimately thwarted by the mighty Autobot warrior, Omega Supreme. Omega Supreme

When Optimus Prime tried to tell Galvatron about Unicron's existence, Galvatron didn't believe him, believing it to be an Autobot trick. Uprising It wouldn't be until Starscream's demise at the hands of Unicron that Galvatron would believe his existence. Cramp

While exploring Cybertron's interior, Dr. Brian Jones was transported to a long-abandoned temple where offerings of energon had been left for the legendary "guardian of energon" who had protected Cybertron long before the current generation of Transformers was created. Before witnessing Omega Supreme's reactivation, Jones believed these stories were just myths. Crash Course

The Japanese version of "Crash Course" describes the Energon offerings as happening 'tens of thousands of years ago.'

Vector Prime would claim that Primus "charted the universe when it was new" and battled Unicron. He also claimed that Primus's spark was the basis of all Transformer life. Cybertron

Fleer Armada cards

At the beginning of the universe, the All Spark sent his two sons, Primus and Unicron, to explore the new world, from one end to another. They discovered a region that acted as a fountain of "pure energon", a source of infinite power. Primus planned to tell their father of this wonderful discovery, but Unicron, desiring this power for himself, struck Primus and left his apparent corpse adrift in a nearby star cluster. Unicron card

Live-action film series

The Last Knight film

On Cybertron, Unicron was known as the planet's ancient enemy. A book that would eventually come to be held in the Trinity Library spoke of Unicron being the core of Earth. The Last Knight

Rise of the Beasts film

Legends that predated Cybertronian civilization described Unicron as a dark god who consumed planets, but few knew of the legends, and fewer still believed them. The Maximals learned that Unicron was real only when the Chaos Bringer arrived on their doorstep to consume their planet. Rise of the Beasts

Titan movie comics

Legend had it that the original seven Transformers were creations of Primus, though they didn't think this. It was not said who started the legend. The Fallen Profile Optimus referred to Primus as his ancestor and the protector of the AllSpark. Accept No Substitutes!

IDW movie comics

The Primes thought they were "children of Primus". Tales of the Fallen #4

According to legend, when the AllSpark cube crashed into Cybertron, it gave life to Primus and his descendants, the Primes. Foundation #2 Primus was known as the first Cybertronian. Foundation #1

Aligned continuity family

According to legend, at the beginning of time, Primus and Unicron battled each other for eons, with neither side remaining victorious for long. Primus created the Thirteen Primes, who defeated Unicron and cast him into space. Primus became one with the Core of Cybertron, creating life through the Well of All Sparks. One Shall Rise, Part 1

Due to the presence of the Well of All Sparks, the Core, and Dark Energon (known as the "Blood of Unicron"), Primus and Unicron were generally believed to exist.

The Thirteen fell into myth and legend after the Great Cataclysm, The Covenant of Primus with modern Cybertronians knowing the story of how their war made "enemies of brothers, murderers of lovers, heroes of the insignificant, and cowards of the mighty". Jazz didn't believe the Thirteen Primes existed, though he felt there were great lessons to be learned from the stories surrounding them. Exodus Strongarm occasionally swore by Solus Prime, True Colors as did Fixit. Decepticon Island (Part 1) Combine and Conquer

The Covenant of Primus foretold that the gravitational forces of a planetary alignment would wake Unicron from his slumber in the core of Earth. One Shall Fall One Shall Rise, Part 1

Cyberverse cartoon

A stain glass depiction of Thunderhowl and his Prime, Onyx Prime.

Windblade swore by Primus when Shockwave's hacking forced her out of a cortical psychic patch. Sabotage Optimus Prime later invoked Primus's name when he channeled the power of the Matrix to blast the AllSpark out of Starscream. I Am The Allspark

The Thirteen were legendary figures in Cybertronian society. Dweller In The Depths Silent Strike The Other One

Deep in the Argon Sea, the Dweller became a local legend. Dweller In The Depths

See Also

• God
• Jesus
• Transformer funerary practices

References

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