What is the Nine? Lumon’s ‘Core Principles’ in Severance explained

Published: Mar 07, 2025, 05:15

Helena Eagan and Sissy Cobel in Severance Season 2

Apple TV+

In Severance Season 2 Episode 8, Sissy tells Harmony her mother would have “found solace in the Nine” – and this is what she means.

After fleeing from her face off with Helena earlier in the season, the latest episode of Severance follows Harmony Cobel as she journeys to Salt’s Neck. She reunites with Hampton, whom she worked with in the town’s ether mill, before going to see Sissy (presumed to be her aunt).

It isn’t a pleasant catch-up. When Harmony asks about the death of her mother, Charlotte Cobel, Sissy says, “There was gratitude in her eyes to be freed from her suffering. If only she had been a believer, perhaps she would have found solace in the Nine.”

This isn’t the first time “the Nine” has been mentioned, and it references a key part of Lumon’s philosophy.

Severance’s Nine Core Principles explained

When Sissy says the “Nine”, she means the nine Core Principles that all employees of Lumon Industries (and followers of the Eagan family) are expected to follow. These are:

Vision
Verve
Wit
Cheer
Humility
Benevolence
Nimbleness
Probity
Wiles

In addition to the Four Tempers, the Core Principles are intended to be the foundation of any severed employee, as well as a balance to strive towards in all of daily life. For example, they’re included in the Compliance Handbook and The Macrodata Refiner’s Orientation Booklet, and Irving told Mr Milchick that his favorite principle was Cheer in Season 1.

They have been referenced throughout the series; when Mark tried to take Ms Casey’s place in the break room, Ms Cobel said it wasn’t “a core principle, but sweet.”

Harmony also had a framed needlepoint with all nine principles in her home next to Mark’s Outie, and they featured prominently in her shrine to Kier (which also included Charlotte’s ventilator tube). In the Season 1 finale, Helena also said Jame Eagen made her recite them every night.