Klingon Religion and Honor
Kahless is a historical figure, who united the Klingon Empire about 15 centuries ago. The story of Kahless, his achievements and his death is a major cornerstone of the Klingon mythology and religion. Klingon honor is based upon the way Kahless lived his life, and Klingon's strive to die in battle as Kahless did, fighting with honor. To die any other way, even after a long life of honorable and victorious battles is a disgrace.

Sto-Vo-Kor
Sto-Vo-Kor is a mythological place for the afterlife for the honored dead. It is very much like Valhalla for the Vikings. When a Klingon dies honorably they are taken to Sto-Vo-Kor where they reside with Kahless to fight battles in the after life as they did in life.

Gre'thor
Gre'thor is the place in Klingon mythology where the dishonored go to die. The mythic Klingon beast, Fek'lhr is the guardian of Gre'thor. Gre'thor can be compared with the Norse Feneris.

Klingon Customs

Klingon Mating Customs
The female is of mating age at 15. At this time the female is given a necklace, jinaq, to wear and show that she is ready to take a mate. The Wedding is at the house of the females father. The male, wears his Military uniform, or a brown robe if not in the military, and the bride wears a bridal dress. The ceremony is very short and simple. One mate says the words "jIH dok" (my blood) in which the other replies "maj dok" (our blood). Then the two say "Tlinghan jIH" (I am a Klingon) and the ceremony is over, time for the party to begin.

Mauk-to 'Vor
This is the ritual killing of a family member so that heir honor can be restored. The mevak dagger is used during this ceremony.

Klingon death ritual
The Klingon death ritual is a ceremony practiced by Klingons upon the death of a comrade. The eyes of the fallen warrior are pried open while the other warriors watch closely. Upon the last breath of the fallen all of the Klingon warriors let loose a powerful howl. Klingons believe that the howl warns the dead that a Klingon warrior is about to arrive.

hegh'bat ceremony
The hegh'bat ceremony is a ritualized suicide. Klingon tradition states that if a Klingon is unable to stand and face his enemies, he should choose the hegh'bat to retain his honor. This rite calls for the eldest son or a trusted friend of the Klingon to deliver a ritual knife to the warrior, who would then impale himself in the chest. The son or friend would then remove the knife and wipe it on his sleeve.

Government

Emperor
Khaless is the current Emperor of the Klingon empire. At one time the Emperor was the main ruler of the entire Klingon empire, but now it is a figure head position only. The High Council makes all governmental decisions.

Klingon High Council
The ruling body of the Klingon empire, made up of about 2 dozen representatives , is lead by a Chancellor or Council leader. The Council meets in the great hall in Kling on Qo'nos. The Klingon High Council is the Governing body of the Klingon Empire. The members of the Council are charged with overseeing the welfare of the Empire and it's Citizens. Each Council Member usually heads one of the major Departments within the Empire so that the Council can meet and make informed decisions of policy based on input from the members of all said Departments.

Rite of Succession
Process whereby a new leader was chosen for the Klingon High Council following the death of the previous leader. The rite first required the sonchi in which the previous leader was formally certified to be truly dead. Next the arbiter of succession was required to select the challengers for leadership of the council. The two strongest challengers would then fight for the right to lead the council.

The Sonchi Ceremony
The Sonchi Ceremony formally confirmed the death of a leader before his successor is chosen. The ritual involves jabbing the body with Klingon pain sticks while issuing a verbal challenge . Sonchi translates into "He is dead."

Klingon Defense Force
The Klingon Defense Force is the section of the Klingon government in charge of protecting the empires borders and running their space

Rituals

Age of Ascension Ceremony
This ritual, also known as the Klingon Rite of Passage, marks the attainment of a new level of spirituality for a Klingon warrior. First the ascendee proclaims "DaHjaj SuvwI'e' jiH. tIgwIj Sa'angNIS. Iw bIQtIq jIjaH." - Today I am a Warrior. I must show you my heart. I travel the river of blood. Then the ascendee walks between two rows of warriors who subject him or her to painsticks. The ascendee is expected to express his or her most profound feelings while under this extreme duress.

Challenge Rituals
When a Klingon Warrior is accused by the Council, he has the right to challenge them. He presents evidence to the Council which then passes judgement. While being heard, the challenger appoints a cha'Dich (a second) who stands with him during the challenge or trial. Results of challenges can be exoneration, discommendation or even death.

Discommendation
The ritual shaming of a Klingon. When an individual receives discommendation, he or she is treated as if they didn't exist. The individual loses his or her honor and the family is disgraced for seven generations.

Rite of MajQa
One of the most important ceremonies a Klingon male will ever have the honor of going through is the Rite of MajQa. This is one of the Rites during Ascension. The male is placed in the caves of No' Mat for about 2 hours. The heat in the cave is supposed to induce visions. The vision seen is of some importance of the Klingons life to come as a warrior. Sometimes it is the vision of a long dead person. But there have been those that have seen the vision of Kahless himself.

Rite of R'uustai
The R'uustai is a ceremony in which two individuals bond together to become brothers or sisters. It is a solemn ceremony which includes the lighting of ceremonial candles, the wearing of warrior's sashes and intonations honoring the individual's mothers.

Tea Ceremony
This is a ceremony to test one's bravery. In this ritual, two friends share poisoned tea served on a tray decorated with simple flowers. This ceremony gives the friends a chance to share each other's mortality and to remind them that death is an experience best shared - like the tea.