#it's been a while since I rambled about genshin lore/symbolism

[silkflovvers]

What if Khaenri'ahn marriage customs were similar to Harvest Moon's blue feather custom? They could go about it in an entirely different way, but I have a lot of reasoning, so keep reading this thread if you're curious.

[DISCLAIMER: This is me being a silly little delusional fan of both Genshin Impact and Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons and trying to think of unique ways Khaenri'ah may have differed from the common customs we see in Teyvat and in IRL western countries. This is not a set in stone theory and is just for fun. If you like this idea, feel free to run with it, if not, feel free to ignore my silly rambling]

So firstly, for those unfamiliar with the Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons franchise: It's essentially a farming and dating simulator. In order to court the person of your choice, you talk to them, do things for them, and give them gifts to increase heart levels.

Once you've reached the appropriate heart level you give someone a "commitment ring" to ask them to go out with you. This can be compared to a "promise ring". I think promise rings may only be a thing in the west (maybe even USA only), but they're essentially a physical symbol of a promise to stay true to each other, even if you aren't engaged nor married yet.

Once you've dated for a while, you can then give your object of affection a blue feather. This is the equivalent of an engagement ring, since the marriage takes place after.

There is no true wedding ring equivalent, you're essentially just... married after the wedding. But! This is perfect for Khaenri'ahn alchemists who can't risk getting any extra metals or minerals near the alchemy table. Nothing like accidentally melting your wedding ring down.

When I first considered this, I figured it would need to be a feather from a bird or other feathered creature from Khaenri'ah. There aren't many that we know of through in-game lore. However, there is the feather from the Blizzard Strayer artifact set.

Part of the description for the Icebreaker's Resolve feather: "A feather of a bird of prey that did not originally belong in the winter chill. It is cold to the touch. And when you do touch it, it is as if you can hear cries in the snowstorm, unbowed but bereft of hope."

Also:

"Those who have been chased away by the chilling tide, and those children who have lost their homes, they will return with you to the home of their dreams."

We know from the in-game lore regarding Khaenri'ah that the people of Khaenri'ah "dream of dreaming". The children could be a reference to the creatures that roam Teyvat (such as Hilichurls). All this points to the idea that the bird may have come from Khaenri'ah.

[Post Sumeru Edit: The line regarding "dream of dreaming" could be in reference to Sumeru and how the people there do not dream once they have grown old enough. However, I dare suggest this could be more related to Irminsul and the role it plays within Sumeru and how it's power is harnessed. There could have been a similar system in Khaenri'ah. Perhaps that is what angered Celestia to the point of destroying it entirely?]

To further tie Icebreaker's Resolve to Khaenri'ah, we have similar shapes and designs on the artifact that can also be found in the costumes of the two characters that have confirmed ties to Khaenri'ah, Kaeya and Dainsleif.

Starting with Dainsleif, The marking on the bottom half of his shoulder plate matches the shape of the ice blue design in the center of the feather. (I have the feather flipped upside down in this image so it's easier to see.)

The color scheme of Dainsleif's cape matches the majority of the feather as well. The light blue of the ice is also the same color as his eyes and the light blue veins that run through his "corrupted" arm in his character art.

As for Kaeya, the similarities can be found in the diamond pattern down the side of his pants and the shape of his earring.

While those are subtle references to Khaenri'ah, I still believe they're important to note. Now, lets get back to how I believe this could be used in a marriage custom.

Being that Khaenri'ah was known for Khemia and their interest in creation, I doubt such a simple thing as a ring would symbolize union. It would likely be something that would blend both natural and manmade materials, much like khemia itself.

Which is why I believe two feathers from a native bird made into something that could be worn by both people (or more) could be a viable option. Their careful use of metals and alchemy could be combined to make an earring/hairpiece that would be safely worn away from their work.

A ring on a chain would still be at risk of being too close to the alchemy table or could get hot when in close proximity to heat or flames. If we take a bit from Norse history to influence Khaenri'ah's own culture, we can assume hair is very important to them.

A hairpiece kept safely tucked into intricate braids could definitely work. Imagine the wedding ceremony! Blue and white feathers woven into traditional braids of each person being joined in union. *cries* How pretty would that be?

Now this is where my theory may seem like a stretch since it's more recent lore in the timeline. But these lines from the artifact description:

"I believe that the lively birds will follow you, and return to the gardens of the summer palace, now green once more."

and

"Those who have been chased away by the chilling tide, and those children who have lost their homes, they will return with you to the home of their dreams."

Both include terms that have been used as metaphors in romance in many cultures.

Birds, especially mated pairs are romantic in almost every culture. The game references this itself in the Good Sign daily commission. Finding a pair of birds is one of the "signs" you report seeing to Zhihua.

Icebreaker's Resolve has two individual feathers, one dark and one light. This would leave one feather for each person in a pair. They could either be worn separately by each person or both worn together to show their bond.

Personally, I think it would be sweet if the person who "proposes" gave the feather associated with themselves for their partner to wear. Each wearing each other's feather until the wedding where they would wear both feathers from then on.

If the relationship includes more than 2 people, perhaps the person who proposes gets one color feather while the other people in the relationship get the other color feather. Or all members of the relationship wear both colors, with an extra third feather or design element added on post marriage.

That system would be similar to the engagement and wedding phases of a western marriage. It would also be a way to alert others that the person is taken.

The artifact description also mentions the bird has lost its home but "They will return with you to the home of their dreams". Perhaps this could be compared to the idea of family and loved ones being a home. This could be the home of their dreams.

This custom of course could be lost after the fall of Khaeri'ah, but it's likely it is still continued in some way. Hilichurls could likely find or retrieve feathers to give to their loved ones. And people such as Kaeya and Dainsleif may still know of these traditions as well.

This theory could easily be used to further the Kaeya flirting with traveler agenda, giving him the artifact could be like a promise to stay together, which could explain some of his character voice lines with increased friendship. Which is cute, IMO.

That's all I have for now, but I hope you enjoyed my brainrot, I mean theory.

No, wait. One last thing:

The feathers they use are likely from an extinct species of bird, which is why the exact custom was likely lost. However, giving the Icebreaker's Resolve to a character would be an authentic way of replicating the custom.

#gnsn #genshin theory #don't take this too seriously #I wrote this up in a discord and then later on as a thread on twitter the first year I started playing Genshin #I think it was after the first Dainsleif quest actually #so it's missing a lot of updated info that we've learned since #but I still think it's cute so I wanted to share it here too #genshin impact #txt #genshin impact fanart

[bluepines]

Genshin Impact, Discussion about the Anemo Element

Anemo is one of my favorite elements in this game and with the release of the 1.4 trailer and soon Venti rerun I decided now was a good time to talk about it. I won’t be going much into gameplay elements just how it’s represented in game and the characters with the Anemo vision.

Warning, Genshin Impact spoilers!

Let’s start with Venti, for the obvious of him being the Anemo archon.

Venti is typically carefree and pretty free spirited, which is just about expected since Anemo is also the symbolism of freedom in Genshin. Venti is really the only Anemo character that’s truly free. He chooses not to rule over Mondstadt and even in his archon quest isn’t really directly involved because he is the archon, compared to the Liyue story at least. Him being Barbatos or just Venti himself isn’t the main plot point, it’s mainly about Dvalin.

Venti has seen three very distinct versions of Mondstadt; old Mondstadt(Stormterror’s Lair), the aristocracy period, and current Mondstadt. Old Mondstadt is referenced and discussed briefly in his story quest, and the aristocracy period is very briefly discussed in the Genshin Impact Webtoon. The first two have the citizens or common folk of Mondstadt trapped or chained down. In both of those Venti helps in it’s liberation, though not a major force of it.

Venti has his issues and trauma, but is working through and with it. He’s optimistic but also putting up a facade at times. But even with that he’s still pretty carefree and cares that others are making choices for themselves rather than some outside force.

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Next up, let’s talk about Sucrose

Truth be told, I don’t know much about Sucrose in a lore perspective. I do know that she devotes herself to alchemy greatly. She doesn’t have many friends and a lot of what she does is to try to bring two of her old friends back, since she believes if she can realize their dreams when they were kids, they’ll come back.

The reason I said Venti was the most free of the Anemo users is well that the other 3 are devoted or bound to their duties or work. Sucrose is devoted to mostly only the art of alchemy and that’s why I find her not to be as free as Venti but she’s not as trapped as the other’s I’m going to discuss. Sorry I don’t know much about her.

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Next, Vanessa, the first Grandmaster of Mondstadt

Vanessa is the first grandmaster of Mondstadt once the aristocracy peroid is done. She was a gladiator fighter before then, put in literal shackles. She helps free Mondstadt from the oppressive rule of the nobility. Even after then, she became metaphorically shackled under the weight of the protection and duties to the people of Mondstadt.

We don’t know what vision Vanessa had, but we know she had one since she ascends to Celestia. The most likely options are Pyro or Anemo since her heritage comes from the people of Natlan, land of the Pyro archon Murata. I feel like it’s Anemo since Vanessa from what we do know is a character that values her freedom. Even after she ascends to Celestia, she still checks over Mondstadt and I believe is the eagle in Diluc’s idle animation(and possible his burst).

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Following her, is Jean, the current acting Grandmaster of Mondstadt

Jean, much like Vanessa, is burdened with the weight of the responsibilities of Mondstadt. It’s even seen taking a physical toll on her during her story quest. Jean isn’t the “real” Grandmaster, she’s the acting one while Varka is out on a mission.

Jean has a lot of her character I do want to delve into but I’d rather save you the time for now. She wants what’s best for Mondstadt above all else, as seen in her story quest as well as the archon quest. She’s the definition of what to expect when you here the word knight, devoted, chivalrous, and compassionate. Though despite being one of the prime characters that should represent freedom, she’s burdened by all she does for Mondstadt.

--

Lastly, Xiao, the last Yaksha of Liyue

To save you and myself time, I’ll do my best to summarize here. Xiao has been defending Liyue under a contract and his devotion to Rex Lapis for well over a millennia. Over the years of his protection of Liyue has been building up karmic debt that might end up killing him one day.

Xiao is the most currently shackled character that belongs to the Anemo element, in my opinion. His eternal service to Liyue’s protection even though “the age of the Adepti has long passed” and his past during the archon war when he was forced under the service of a cruel archon before he was liberated by Rex Lapis.

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That’s where I’ll end this to keep myself from rambling too much. Anemo is one of my favorite elements in this game, gameplay and character wise(mostly Venti and Xiao). I might do one of these again for the other elements, who knows. Thanks for reading my rambles!

#genshin impact #genshin venti #genshin xiao #genshin jean #genshin sucrose #genshin vanessa