Codex of FaithsAn illustrated atlas of belief

The faiths

Origins, teachings, scriptures and branches of the world’s religions, each opened by its own illuminated miniature.

The family tree

How the traditions are related, and when each began. Select a name to open its page.

The family tree of religions Ancient Egyptian religion: about 3000 BCE to the 6th century CE, ended. Greek and Roman religion: 2nd millennium BCE to the 4th century CE, ended. Hinduism: Vedic roots from about 1500 BCE, still practised. Jainism: Mahavira, 6th–5th century BCE, still practised; shares roots with Hinduism. Buddhism: the Buddha, 5th century BCE, still practised; shares roots with Hinduism. Sikhism: Guru Nanak, about 1500 CE, still practised; shares roots with Hinduism. Zoroastrianism: Zarathustra, perhaps 1500–1000 BCE, still practised. Judaism: ancient Israel, 1st millennium BCE, still practised. Christianity: Jesus, 1st century CE, still practised; grew out of Judaism. Islam: Muhammad, 7th century CE, still practised; shares roots with Christianity. Bahá’í: the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh, 19th century, still practised; grew out of Islam. Confucianism: Confucius, 6th–5th century BCE, still practised. Daoism: the Daodejing, 4th century BCE, still practised. Shinto: from prehistory, still practised. Yoruba religion: Ile-Ife, by about 1000 CE, still practised. 3000 BCE2000 BCE1000 BCE1 CE1000 today AncientMediterranean Indian Iranian Abrahamic East Asian West African Ancient Egyptian religion: about 3000 BCE to the 6th century CE Ancient Egyptian religion Greek and Roman religion: 2nd millennium BCE to the 4th century CE Greek and Roman religion Hinduism: Vedic roots from about 1500 BCE Hinduism Jainism: Mahavira, 6th–5th century BCE Jainism Buddhism: the Buddha, 5th century BCE Buddhism Sikhism: Guru Nanak, about 1500 CE Sikhism Zoroastrianism: Zarathustra, perhaps 1500–1000 BCE Zoroastrianism Judaism: ancient Israel, 1st millennium BCE Judaism Christianity: Jesus, 1st century CE Christianity Islam: Muhammad, 7th century CE Islam Bahá’í: the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh, 19th century Bahá’í Confucianism: Confucius, 6th–5th century BCE Confucianism Daoism: the Daodejing, 4th century BCE Daoism Shinto: from prehistory Shinto Yoruba religion: Ile-Ife, by about 1000 CE Yoruba religion
grew out of shared roots or strong influence beginnings that cannot be dated

Every tradition