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{{Status|Canon}}
{{Era|Covenant|Human|UNSC|HCW|Post}}
{{Callsign}}
{{References}}
{{References}}
{{Seealso Level|The Great Journey|Halo 2}}
{{Seealso Level|The Great Journey|Halo 2}}
[[File:H3 Truth rings.jpg|thumb|370px|The [[High Prophet of Truth]] activates the Halo Rings from [[Installation 00|the Ark]].]]
[[File:H3 Truth rings.jpg|thumb|370px|The [[High Prophet of Truth]] activates the Halo Rings from [[Installation 00|the Ark]].]]
{{Quote|Every member of the Covenant shall walk the Path. None will be left behind when our Great Journey begins! That is the Prophets' age-old promise, and it shall be fulfilled!|The [[High Prophet of Regret]]<ref name="h2reg">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Regret (Halo 2 level)|Regret]]''</ref>}}
{{Quote|Every member of the Covenant shall walk the Path. None will be left behind when our Great Journey begins! That is the Prophets' age-old promise, and it shall be fulfilled!|The [[High Prophet of Regret]]<ref name="h2reg">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Regret (Halo 2 level)|Regret]]''</ref>}}
The '''[[Covenant]] religion''',{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=188}} based upon the worship of the ancient race of beings known as the [[Forerunner]]s. The Covenant commonly referred to the religion and its teachings as '''the Path'''.{{Ref/Reuse|h2reg}}<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 304''</ref>
The [[Covenant]] was founded on and united by a single '''religion''', based upon the worship of the ancient race of beings known as the [[Forerunner]]s. The Covenant commonly referred to the religion and its teachings as '''the Path'''.{{Ref/Reuse|h2reg}}<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 304''</ref>


==Background==
==Background==
[[File:H5Concept -The Path.jpg|thumb|150px|A symbol associated with the Path to the Great Journey.]]
[[File:H5Concept -The Path.jpg|thumb|right|150px|A symbol associated with the Path to the Great Journey.]]
According to the Covenant religion, the Forerunners, a race of enlightened beings regarded as nearly omniscient and all-powerful, discovered a way to transcend the physical world and became divine gods by activating the [[Halo Array|Halos]], or "Sacred Rings" as referred to by members of the Covenant.<ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', cinematics</ref> The Halos supposedly uplifted the Forerunners into [[Technological Achievement Tiers|transsentience]], but left all lesser, unworthy races behind. The Covenant believed themselves to be the chosen inheritors of the Forerunners, and sought to reclaim the "gifts" they left behind, in most cases lost technology. Their ultimate goal was to locate and activate the Halo installations. In doing so, it was believed that all faithful adherents to the Covenant religion would be uplifted as the Forerunners were, following them on a Great Journey resulting in godhood. This belief was shared, with varying degrees of sincerity, amongst all the Covenant's client races.
According to the Covenant religion, the Forerunners, a race of enlightened beings regarded as nearly omniscient and all-powerful, discovered a way to transcend the physical world and became divine gods by activating the [[Halo Array|Halos]], or "Sacred Rings" as referred to by members of the Covenant.<ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', cinematics</ref> The Halos supposedly uplifted the Forerunners into [[Technological Achievement Tiers|transsentience]], but left all lesser, unworthy races behind. The Covenant believed themselves to be the chosen inheritors of the Forerunners, and sought to reclaim the "gifts" they left behind, in most cases lost technology. Their ultimate goal was to locate and activate the Halo installations. In doing so, it was believed that all faithful adherents to the Covenant religion would be uplifted as the Forerunners were, following them on a Great Journey resulting in godhood. This belief was shared, with varying degrees of sincerity, amongst all the Covenant's client races.


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==Articles of faith==
==Articles of faith==
[[File:H2A Cutscene SanctumHaloView.png|thumb|300px|Alongside the [[Prophet of Truth]] and [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee, the [[Prophet of Mercy]] gazes upon [[Installation 05]] while preaching about the Great Journey.]]
[[File:H2A Cutscene SanctumHaloView.png|thumb|300px|Alongside the [[Prophet of Truth]] and [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee, the [[Prophet of Mercy]] gazes upon [[Installation 05]] while preaching about the Great Journey.]]
===Divine Ones===
The Forerunners were known to the Covenant as "Great Ones"{{Ref/Novel|FS|Epilogue}}{{Ref/Novel|Halo: Broken Circle|Chapter=15}} or "Divine Ones".{{Ref/Novel|Halo: Divine Wind|Chapter=12}}
===The Great Journey===
===The Great Journey===
{{Article quote|<i>
{{Article quote|<i>
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:"[[Seven]] rings begin The Journey!"</i>}}
:"[[Seven]] rings begin The Journey!"</i>}}


The "Great Journey" is the central goal of the Covenant religion. According to the Covenant, the Forerunners initiated the first Great Journey through the use of the seven Halos, or sacred rings, which unleashed a "divine wind" that swept through the galaxy and elevated the Forerunners to godhood. The Covenant seeks to do the same by finding and activating the sacred rings, which would transcend those worthy to the divine beyond, a heavenly paradise they will share with the Forerunners. The non-believers and those unworthy of the journey would be left behind, as punishment for their heresy.
The '''Great Journey''' is the central goal of the Covenant religion. According to the Covenant, the Forerunners initiated the first Great Journey through the use of the seven Halos, or sacred rings, which unleashed a "divine wind" that swept through the galaxy and elevated the Forerunners to godhood. The Covenant seeks to do the same by finding and activating the sacred rings, which would transcend those worthy to the divine beyond, a heavenly paradise they will share with the Forerunners. The non-believers and those unworthy of the journey would be left behind, as punishment for their heresy.


In addition to being their overall goal, the Covenant also employ the term "Great Journey" in a broader sense; as an expression of the path to transcendence, both collectively and individually. For example, a [[Sangheili]] warrior's individual "Great Journey" is said to start when they first begin their training.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe''', "The Return", ''page 489''</ref>
In addition to being their overall goal, the Covenant also employ the term "Great Journey" in a broader sense; as an expression of the path to transcendence, both collectively and individually. For example, a [[Sangheili]] warrior's individual "Great Journey" is said to start when they first begin their training.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe''', "The Return", ''page 489''</ref>
===The Mantle===
{{Main|Mantle}}
The Covenant are aware of the Forerunner concept of the Mantle, although they appear to misunderstand its true meaning.<ref>'''[[Halo Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''' volume II, ''page 299''</ref> Whereas the Forerunners' Mantle was their responsibility to protect and watch over all life in the galaxy, the Covenant regard the Mantle as their divine right to inherit dominion over the galaxy, namely through following in the footsteps of their gods.


===The Halo Array===
===The Halo Array===
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The [[Halo Array|Halos]], otherwise referred to as "Sacred Rings" or "Holy Rings"<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', "[[Priority Broadcast Log/Eleventh Cycle, Third Unit]]", ''page 365'' (2010 edition)</ref> by members of the Covenant, were seven holy artifacts that, when activated, would propel all "worthy" individuals in the galaxy into a heavenly paradise, where they would exist as divine beings. This could only be achieved by the retrieval of the "[[Activation Index|Sacred Icon]]", a holy artifact that would activate the rings.
The [[Halo Array|Halos]], otherwise referred to as "Sacred Rings" or "Holy Rings"<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', "[[Priority Broadcast Log/Eleventh Cycle, Third Unit]]", ''page 365'' (2010 edition)</ref> by members of the Covenant, were seven holy artifacts that, when activated, would propel all "worthy" individuals in the galaxy into a heavenly paradise, where they would exist as divine beings. This could only be achieved by the retrieval of the "[[Activation Index|Sacred Icon]]", a holy artifact that would activate the rings.


Fleets entering unexplored territories were given one of the [[Luminal Beacon]]s for the express purpose of signalling that they had discovered a Halo ring, should they have encountered one.{{Ref/Novel|Oblv|Chapter=5}}
From the inception of the Covenant religion, the Covenant Empire scoured all known star systems within their reach, relentless in finding at least one of these Sacred Rings. The search for the rings spanned over [[History of the Covenant|seven Ages]]; the Age of Reclamation was the age in which the Covenant finally came into contact of two Sacred Rings. The first contact was short-lived, as the first Halo was destroyed by a [[John-117|demon]], while the firing of the second was stopped due to Sangheili defectors who teamed up with the UNSC.


In the event that a Holy Ring was to be discovered, a [[reclamation]] procedure had to be followed under [[San'Shyuum]] leadership. This was known as the "Consecration".<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', "Priority Broadcast Log/Eleventh Cycle, Third Unit", ''pages 366-368'' (2010 edition)</ref> The only individual who oversaw such a procedure was the [[Prophet of Stewardship]], though he was unsuccessful due to the first Ring's destruction.
In the event that a Holy Ring was to be discovered, a [[reclamation]] procedure had to be followed under [[San'Shyuum]] leadership. This was known as the "Consecration".<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', "Priority Broadcast Log/Eleventh Cycle, Third Unit", ''pages 366-368'' (2010 edition)</ref> The only individual who oversaw such a procedure was the [[Prophet of Stewardship]], though he was unsuccessful due to the first Ring's destruction.
Other components of the Halo Array are referred to by the Covenant:
*"Repository of Fate" - [[Library]]{{Ref/Novel|Halo: The Broken Circle|Chapter=17}}
*"Chamber of Consecration" - [[Control room]]{{Ref/Novel|Halo: The Broken Circle|Chapter=16}}
*"[[Silent Cartographer]]"{{Ref/Level|CE|[[The Silent Cartographer]]}}
===Afterlives===
There were a few afterlives for the Covenant. The Faithful would proceed to the "One Freedom" while infidels and unbelievers were to be condemned to "Oblivion".{{Ref/Novel|Id=SoR??|Halo: Shadows of Reach}} Alive unbelievers were considered to be on the "Path to Oblivion".{{Ref/Novel|Halo: Divine Wind|Chapter=1}} Another known afterlife was the "Circle of Deliverance".{{Ref/Novel|DW|Chapter=5}}
===The Mantle===
{{Main|Mantle}}
The Covenant are aware of the Forerunner concept of the Mantle, although they appear to misunderstand its true meaning.<ref>'''[[Halo Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''' volume II, ''page 299''</ref> Whereas the Forerunners' Mantle was their responsibility to protect and watch over all life in the galaxy, the Covenant regard the Mantle as their divine right to inherit dominion over the galaxy, namely through following in the footsteps of their gods.


===The Parasite===
===The Parasite===
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{{Main|Monitor}}
{{Main|Monitor}}
The Covenant refer to all Forerunner AIs as "Oracles". They believe these constructs to hold holy knowledge regarding the Great Journey, and hold their words as sacred truths. [[Mendicant Bias]] and the [[Monitor]]s are all regarded as oracles by the Covenant.
The Covenant refer to all Forerunner AIs as "Oracles". They believe these constructs to hold holy knowledge regarding the Great Journey, and hold their words as sacred truths. [[Mendicant Bias]] and the [[Monitor]]s are all regarded as oracles by the Covenant.
===Order of Devotion===
The "Order of Devotion" was a concept surrounding the species of the Covenant and their roles. The [[San'Shyuum]] were to "shepherd" while the [[Jiralhanae]] were to fight.{{Ref/Novel|DW|Chapter=7}}


===The Arbiter===
===The Arbiter===
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{{Quote|no=two|Jameson Locke|Thel 'Vadam|q1=Your people used to call him demon. Was that an insult or a compliment?|q2=An insult, to be sure, but one with a modicum of respect.|[[Thel 'Vadam]] on [[John-117]]'s title as ''the'' Demon<ref>'''Halo 2: Anniversary''', ''Prologue''</ref>}}
{{Quote|no=two|Jameson Locke|Thel 'Vadam|q1=Your people used to call him demon. Was that an insult or a compliment?|q2=An insult, to be sure, but one with a modicum of respect.|[[Thel 'Vadam]] on [[John-117]]'s title as ''the'' Demon<ref>'''Halo 2: Anniversary''', ''Prologue''</ref>}}
[[File:H2A Terminals - Jai vs Thel.jpg|thumb|250px|Thel 'Vadamee in combat with [[Jai-006|a demon]].]]
[[File:H2A Terminals - Jai vs Thel.jpg|thumb|250px|Thel 'Vadamee in combat with [[Jai-006|a demon]].]]
The Covenant refer to the UNSC's SPARTANs as "demons," and regard them with a mixture of contempt and superstitious fear.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 243'' ("Voro strained to isolate the human word for demons from their objectionable speech... ''Spartans''".)</ref><ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 349'' ("They would take no chances with these human demons, these 'Spartans' ".)</ref><ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 372''  ("The Fleet Master Elite snarled at Kurt, and the translation filtered through his helmet's speaker: 'One last fight, demon' ".)</ref> Low-ranking client races such as the Unggoy and Kig-Yar would frequently panic upon engaging Spartans, their numbers and advanced technology providing little benefit in a protracted fight. The same would prove true of the San'Shyuum Hierarchs, despising demons for their blasphemous defiance of the Great Journey, yet fearful of their lives in the presence of one. Mgalekgolo{{Citation needed}} and Yanme'e were unaffected by the presence of a SPARTAN, as their drastically different nervous systems left them incapable of feeling fear. Sangheili held a more spiteful, begrudging opinion of demons, incredulous that unworthy "vermin" could be the cause of so much havoc. Often, Sangheili or Jiralhanae would disregard tactics and hurl themselves at demons, fighting for the honor of the kill. However such impromptu duels usually resulted in the deaths of the challengers, not the demons. However, after the Great Schism a few Sangheili came to admire the prowess and courage of these warriors, though such views remained rare. [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]]s have been referred to as "imps" in much the same way.{{Citation needed}} The term has also been applied to the renegade Arbiter [[Fal 'Chavamee]].<ref>'''[[Halo Legends]]''', ''[[The Duel]]'', ('''Unnamed Unggoy''': ''"He's the Demon!"'')</ref>
The Covenant refer to the UNSC's Spartans as "demons," and regard them with a mixture of contempt and superstitious fear.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 243'' ("Voro strained to isolate the human word for demons from their objectionable speech... ''Spartans''".)</ref><ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 349'' ("They would take no chances with these human demons, these 'Spartans' ".)</ref><ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 372''  ("The Fleet Master Elite snarled at Kurt, and the translation filtered through his helmet's speaker: 'One last fight, demon' ".)</ref> Low ranking client races such as the Unggoy and Kig-Yar would frequently panic upon engaging Spartans, their numbers and advanced technology providing little benefit in a protracted fight. The same would prove true of the San'Shyuum Hierarchs, despising demons for their blasphemous defiance of the Great Journey, yet fearful of their lives in the presence of one. Mgalekgolo{{Citation needed}} and Yanme'e were unaffected by the presence of a SPARTAN, as their drastically different nervous systems left them incapable of feeling fear. Sangheili held a more spiteful, begrudging opinion of demons, incredulous that unworthy "vermin" could be the cause of so much havoc. Often, Sangheili or Jiralhanae would disregard tactics and hurl themselves at demons, fighting for the honor of the kill. However such impromptu duels usually resulted in the deaths of the challengers, not the demons. However, after the Great Schism a few Sangheili came to admire the prowess and courage of these warriors, though such views remained rare. [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]]s have been referred to as "imps" in much the same way.{{Citation needed}} The term has also been applied to the renegade Arbiter [[Fal 'Chavamee]].<ref>'''[[Halo Legends]]''', ''[[The Duel]]'', ('''Unnamed Unggoy''': ''"He's the Demon!"'')</ref>


It is a common superstition among the Sangheili that SPARTANs are reanimated soldiers killed in battle, brought back to life through artificial means to fight again.<ref>'''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'''</ref>
It is a common superstition among the Sangheili that SPARTANs are reanimated soldiers killed in battle, brought back to life through artificial means to fight again.<ref>'''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'''</ref>


Amongst the Covenant, [[John-117]], otherwise known as the Master Chief, the SPARTANs' ''de facto'' commander gained the title of ''The'' Demon from the Covenant, setting him aside from the rest of the SPARTANs. This came from his destruction of [[Installation 04]]. According to [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]], this was done as an insult but also with a modicum of respect, showing that even the Covenant, while fearing and insulting their most hated enemy, also had a level of respect for him and his skills as well.
Amongst the Covenant, [[John-117]], otherwise known as the Master Chief, the SPARTANs' ''de facto'' commander gained the title of The Demon from the Covenant, setting him aside from the rest of the SPARTANs. This came from his destruction of [[Installation 04]]. According to [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]], this was done as an insult but also with a modicum of respect, showing that even the Covenant, while fearing and insulting their most hated enemy, also had a level of respect for him and his skills as well. Indeed, 'Vadam himself displayed a level of respect for the Master Chief after the events of ''[[Halo 2]]'': while they came close to fighting at the beginning of ''[[Halo 3]]'' and didn't like each other, Thel worked side by side with his old enemy. Thel trusted the Master Chief and vice versa by the time of the death of the [[Prophet of Truth]] to fight back to back with him against the [[Flood]]. Thel continued to refer to him as the Demon even while fighting with him, but showed more respect later, changing to calling him "Spartan" instead. Thel would later state to [[Jameson Locke]] that he had come to see the Master Chief as both his ally and his friend while working together.
 
Even after the Covenant War's conclusion, the nickname "demon" remains emblazoned on the SPARTAN operatives, spoken by even those who don't believe in religion. [[Atriox]], leader of the [[Banished]], condescendingly referred to the members of [[Red Team]] as "little demons" after he single-handedly defeated [[Douglas-042]], forcing [[Alice-130]] and [[Jerome-092]] to retreat, though without the religious undertone.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars 2]]''', campaign level, ''[[The Signal]]''</ref> Irreligious [[Sangheili Mercenary|Sangheili mercenaries]] in the Banished also use the term "demon" in a colloquial way to describe them.{{Ref/Game|Id=HW2PL|Halo Wars 2|[[Phoenix Logs]]: [[Phoenix Logs/Campaign Logs/The Blinded|The Blinded]]|Quote=No longer do I feel the religious reverence or feel humbled in the presence of the ancient's structures and monuments.|Quotee=[[Orda Val 'Saham]]}}{{Ref/Level|Id=HW2Foundry|Halo Wars 2|Level=[[The Foundry]]|Quote=You destroyed our carrier, demons!|Quotee=[[Orda Val 'Saham]]}}


===Heresy of the Chosen===
Even after the Covenant War's conclusion, the nickname "demon" remains emblazoned on the Spartan operatives. [[Atriox]], leader of the [[Banished]], condescendingly referred to the members of [[Red Team]] as "little demons" after he single-handedly defeated [[Douglas-042]], forcing [[Alice-130]] and [[Jerome-092]] to retreat, though without the religious undertone.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars 2]]''', campaign level, ''[[The Signal]]''</ref>
The "Heresy of the Chosen" is a subversive belief within the Covenant that [[Human]]ity were the true successors to the Forerunners, explaining why humanity had a special relationship with Forerunner technology. [[Veta Lopis]] theorized that this belief came about due to the seemingly paradoxical fact that humanity had access to Forerunner technology that the Covenant lacked, including and especially for the most powerful of Forerunner technology.{{Ref/Novel|Halo: Divine Wind|Chapter=7}}


==Known Scriptures==
==Known Scriptures==

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