The Smoke religion

The Smoke Religion – “The Grace of the Air”

The Smoke Religion is a young, developing faith that spreads mainly in industrial cities, around steam plants and workshops. Believers believe that smoke and steam are not just by-products, but the spirit of human perseverance and progress. The smoke of machines is a sacrifice rising into the ether, which symbolizes the work and will of mortals. Basic teachings. Smoke and steam are the visible soul of human effort. Every chimney is an altar, every boiler a shrine. It is the duty of the believer to present a “smoke offering” with his work, sweat and the power of his machines.

Clear smoke is a sign of power, dark and sooty smoke is a sign of sin and neglect.

Rituals, Masking:

Priests wear copper or iron masks that filter the air and hide their personality. This symbolizes unity with the spirit of smoke.Chanting: During rituals, slow, deep, rhythmic chanting accompanies the flow of smoke. Believers connect, “inhaling the smoke”.Smoke Offering: Using small devices, censers, cauldrons, they emit pure white smoke, which is considered an offering. Knocking: At the end of prayers, believers knock three times on a copper plate worn on their chest, indicating the pulsation of the “heart cauldron”.

Priests and Organization:

Priests are called "smoke servants".

They guard the order of rituals, wearing masks to make themselves impersonal.Their ranks are named after the size of the cauldron (Small Cauldron, Large Cauldron, High Cauldron). Each Smoke Shrine is built around a central cauldron where rituals take place.

Prevalence:

Not a very widespread religion It has only existed for a few years, but is spreading rapidly in industrial cities where people are looking for spiritual meaning in their daily work.The Imperial Court views it with suspicion because, as a new religion, it is not yet controlled and could easily hide a political movement.

Smoke Shrines:

All temples of the Smoke religion are called smoke shrines regardless of size

Smoke shrines are often arched or circular, slightly elongated structures resembling steam boilers, usually covered in red copper, with recesses in which eternal flames burn, symbolizing the fire of the boiler. The shrines are open to the faithful day and night.