Luhenye Aptar
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The Luhenye Aptar (English pronunciation /luˈwɛnje æpˈtɑː/ or /luˈwɛnje æpˈtɑɹ/, Aelsyan Lhuénye aPtár lit. "the Foot which Leads", commonly translated "Leading Foot" pronounced /ˈlweːnje aˈptaːr/, adjective Aptaran) is a polytheistic religion with elements of animism which was founded in Aelsya by the Three Prophets Qenye Mihuáná, Yahice Qedis and Sípa Qahua. The Prophets' teachings are recorded in the Hagioramae (Deqhuerá yAptórisán "Holy Visions") Since its founding it has spread across the continent of Asura and into lands which were colonised by nations practising the religion.
At the core of Aptaran belief are the four Aspects of Existence (Senámu-n Aytagáhuá) whose personifications are the Archaeotati (Ecémbráhuá "Most Ancient"), Tennu "Thought", Lós "Action", Líhánu "Emotion" and Bédanu "Creation", four gods which make up the core of the Aptaran pantheon. The pantheon consists of two groups: the Archaeothei (Suqaptón "Old Gods") and Neothei (Núraptón "Young Gods"). The Archaeothei are fifty-two main gods, including the Archaeotati as well as their children and grandchildren, the Megagenea (Yúpa Qánt "Great Family"). The Neothei are lesser spiritual beings with many and varied roles.
Etymology
The spelling Luhenye Aptar is an Anglicisation of the Aelsyan name for the religion, Lhuénye aPtár, pronounced /ˈlweːnje aˈptaːr/. The Aelsyan name literally translates as "the foot (Lhuénye) which leads (aPtár)". It is usually translated as "Leading Foot" into English. The name consists of the noun lhuénye meaning "foot" or "lower leg" and the subordinate verbal clause aptár meaning "which leads". The prefix a- shows subordination while ptár is the third person singular present form of the verb ptaná meaning "to lead" or "to guide".
The name itself is something of a pun. The conjugated verb aptár has a coincidental similarity to the Aelsyan word for "god", apto, with folk etymology popularly connecting the two (though in reality, the verb derives from the Proto-Satto-Lhedh stem *päð- while the noun derives from *ämpiγö via the Old Aelsyan forms *pi̯ar and *i̯ãpi̯o). The use of lhuénye (from Proto-Satto-Lhedh *rʷëŋʲkʲë via Old Aelsyan *lwē̃ŋi̯e) makes reference to the travels of the prophets and suggests both a spiritual journey and following in the footsteps of the enlightened.
Although the adjective used in Aelsyan is Lhuényétu, literally "one who travels by foot", in English the term Aptaran is used instead.
