Battlestar Galactica (1978)

:This article is about the original movie and television series; for other versions, see Battlestar Galactica (disambiguation).

Religious and mythological references

Greek mythological references

Battlestar Galactica contains obvious references to Greek and Roman mythology.

Related Topics:
Greek - Roman - Mythology

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• Several of the characters in the series have names corresponding to significant characters in Greek mythology, including Apollo and Cassiopeia.
• The twelve colonies are named after the astrological signs of the Greek zodiac:
• Aerelon - Aries
• Tauron - Taurus
• Gemoni - Gemini
• Cancera - Cancer
• Leonon - Leo
• Virgon - Virgo
• Libron - Libra
• Scorpia - Scorpio
• Sagitara - Sagittarius
• Caprica - Capricornus
• Aquaria - Aquarius
• Picon - Pisces. Home colony of Count Baltar.

The Cylon armor is also clearly derived from Greek designs, while the Colonial pilots wear helmets derived from Egyptian designs.

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The birthplace of humanity is a distant planet named Kobol, external shots for which were taken in Egypt around the pyramids. It is meant to hint that this really was the origin of Earth and the Earth refered to in the series is definitively us for better or worse.

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Mormon influences/references

Probably less noticed are references to the theology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (more commonly known as the Mormon church). Producer Glen Larson is a member of this church.

Related Topics:
Theology - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

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Some parallels between the series and the religion include:

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• The race of humanity is led by Commander Adama, whose name bears similarity to that of Adam, the first human.
• Central to the plot of the series is a legendary thirteenth colony, somewhere far distant from the twelve that are known. In Mormonism, there is no doctrinal or cultural reference to a 'Thirteenth Tribe'. But there are some parallels that may have inspired this 'Thirteenth Tribe' idea:
• In the Old Testament, Israel had twelve sons. As Israel's favorite son, Joseph received a double inheritance. Therefore, when Moses led them from Egypt back to their promised land, they are divided into thirteen tribes for purposes of inheritance.
• In The Book of Mormon is the teaching that during the reign of king Zedekiah (about 600 BC), two separate groups left Jerusalem and ended up in the Americas; a remnant (or 'thirteenth tribe') of the twelve tribes of Israel.
• A Council of Twelve, headed by a president, governs the colonies. A president who is assisted by two counselors and a Quorum of the Twelve Apostles preside over the Mormon Church.
• Marriages in the Battlestar Galactica mythos as well as in the Mormon religion are sealed for eternity.
• The beings on the Ship of Light say, "as you are, we once were; as we are, you may one day be", a parallel to the Mormon belief that even God was once a human being.
• The system which is believed to be the original home of the human race is Kobol. In Mormon theology, the star closest to the Throne of God is called Kolob.

These parallels are explored in more detail at Battlestar Galactica and Mormonism.

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Other influences/references

The character Count Iblis was inspired by the demon Iblis in Islamic mythology.

Related Topics:
Count Iblis - Iblis - Islam

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The word "adama" in Hebrew means "earth."

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