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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, often to introduce high stakes to the story.
Beliefs
Afterlife
- See also: Transformer afterlife, Spirit realm, and Tree of Life
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 Tree of Life from the Jewish Kabbalah, with the unoriginal name of the Tree of Life.
Primus and the Thirteen
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.
In some continuities, the existence of Primus is more well-known, while in other continuities, such as the Marvel Comics G1 continuity, the Transformers regard Primus and Unicron as mere legends, or disregard them entirely. The 2005 IDW continuity introduced an iteration of the Thirteen who were simply warlords and leaders, that were treated as living gods and were worshipped. Transformers from the colony world of Caminus in particular follow the Way of Flame, a religion that places Solus Prime in particular at the top of The Thirteen. In contrast, the 2019 IDW continuity sees Termagax doubt the existence of the Thirteen, considering them metaphors to explain the existence of certain artifacts.
The Guiding Hand
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
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
- 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" includes 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.
- Atechnogenesis
In the 2005 IDW continuity, atheistic Cybertronians are referred to as "evolutionary engineerists" after the scientifically-grounded theory of atechnogenesis.
- Spectralism
- Dark Cybertron Prophecy
- Primacron
In IDW's comic series he swears by Primacron rather than Primus. (Although what that implies about said continuity beyond being a cute in-joke is unknown. Scoop swears by him later on in the same issue.)
Fiction
Generation 1 continuity family
Marvel Comics continuity
Marvel The Transformers comic
Marvel Generation 2 comic
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
Dreamwave Generation One continuity
Jetfire, a skeptic of the supernatural and metaphysical, found himself involved in The Fallen's plot 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
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 own 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
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' greatest beliefs through memory wiping, fake prophecies, time travel, and rare ores of Energon.
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 supposedly delivered the Prime Pastoral at the future site of Crystal City Origin Myths, and 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
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 that they were immortal and that only a Prime could kill another Prime. The Crucible Origin Myths 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, defying Solus Prime and the rest of the Thirteen. The Sum and Its Parts
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
Optimus's political actions began to draw scrutiny from Starscream New Worlds Order and other members of the Council of Worlds, with Starscream accusing Optimus of starting interstellar war by annexing Earth. After his meeting with the Council didn't go in his favor, Optimus met with the Mistress of Flame, who explained her belief that Optimus is The Arisen - the mysterious Thirteenth Prime. 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 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 meaningless. 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 and united the spirits of countless Cybertronians, sending 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
Transformers vs. G.I. Joe
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. Daiakuron was later revealed to be the creator of Atlas, the hidden true form of Earth and Primus's long lost kin. The War Never Ends
