- For the character in Morrowind, see Mara (Character).
- "Mara says: Live soberly and peacefully. Honor your parents, and preserve the peace and security of home and family."
- ―Ten Commands: Nine Divines
Mara is a goddess of the Nine Divines[1]. She is also known as Mother-Goddess and Goddess of Love in the Empire, and in Skyrim as handmaid of Kyne.[2][3] She makes an appearance in almost every culture's pantheon in Tamriel, and at times is affiliated with Nir who gave birth to creation. She may be married to, or act as a concubine of, either Akatosh or Lorkhan, depending on the religion.[2] In Morrowind, Mara appears in the form of Ama Nin.[4]
Worship
Ten Commands: Nine Divines has Mara instructing worshippers to: "Live soberly and peacefully. Honor your parents, and preserve the peace and security of home and family."[5]
Temples
- Mara's main Chapel is located in Bravil.
- In Skyrim, Mara has a temple dedicated to her in Riften. Marriages are carried out in her name at this temple.
- The Amulet of Mara increases the Restoration aptitude for the wearer. It is also used as a symbol that the wearer is looking for a spouse.
Arkay
Ark'ay The God describes a process by which Mara transforms Arkay, an ordinary shopkeeper, into a god, and his apotheosis.[6]
Since Mara may have been the wife of Akatosh, it is believed she may also be Arkay's mother.[source?] However, it is unclear whether Mara was, in fact, the wife of Akatosh, the wife of Lorkhan, or a concubine of both.[2]
Representations
- Mara – Nine Divines, Bretony Pantheon, Nordic Pantheon, Altmeri Pantheon, Bosmeri Pantheon, Khajiiti Pantheon and Kothri Pantheon
- She-Wolf – Ancient Nordic Pantheon
- Morwha – Redguard Pantheon
Verse
"Come to me, Mara, for without you, I might forget the ways of our fathers, and preening by the light of latest fashion, my words might tremble like the thin reeds of novelty in the tempest of enthusiasms."[7]
Gallery
Appearances
- The Elder Scrolls: Arena (mentioned only)
- The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall (mentioned only)[6]
- The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (as Ama Nin)
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (mentioned only)[5]
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (mentioned only)[8]
- The Elder Scrolls V: Dragonborn (mentioned only)[2]
Trivia
- Mara was named after Daggerfall beta tester Marilyn Wasserman, who is also the author of The Real Barenziah and King Edward books.[UL 1]
References
- ↑ For my Gods and Emperor
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Varieties of Faith in the Empire
- ↑ Dialogue with Maramal
- ↑ Events of "Boots of the Apostle"
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Ten Commands: Nine Divines
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Ark'ay The God
- ↑ Pocket Guide to the Empire, Third Edition: Foreword
- ↑ Events of "The Book of Love"