Sharing Symbolism!

Welcome to the Thread!

I decided to create this thread for writers to talk about each others' characters, and maybe even inspire some new designs with a fun activity/challenge ~

I love using symbolism in descriptions and designs. For example, color meanings are usually a crucial part of designing anime-esque characters like mine, and I like to associate a character's magical element (or how it manifests) with characters as well. There are even some especially specific ones I thought were interesting, including (but not limited to), Flower Language (Victorian Floriography), Gemstone Uses and Meanings, Bird Symbolism (or Spirit Animals/Totems).

So that's the theme of this thread! Sharing symbolism as it relates to your own characters -or if you're not someone who features a lot of specific name characters, you could apply it to other themes and visuals in your work, or even yourself as a writer. You could use that symbolic trio I brought up before, and also bring up colors, elements, or anything else you think is significant to your character that you want to share. You may just pick up something that you could feature in your own designs ~

Spoiler

I thought I would start this thread with Kita, to give you an idea:

- Kita's flower would probably be the bluebell, as it represents humility. This is a common color used in her design and around her, but I've been thinking about taking it a step further and adding a little bluebell design to her dress...

- Her gemstone would probably be amethyst, symbolizing a strive for wisdom and clear-headedness. It also has associations with cures for insomnia, which she struggles with.

- Her bird would probably be the phoenix, representing rebirth, renewal, and healing. This is the general theme of her arc in the story.

- I also feature purple as an important part of her design, particularly her eyes. Not only are they reminiscent of the amethyst, but lighter shades of purple and lavender can generally represent a childlike and naive nature, which becomes part of another underlying theme in her character and development.

Share as much as you want, and have fun!

Edit: also, if you like the idea of using symbolism like this in your writing, but don't know where to start, don't be afraid to ask some questions!

Symbloism is big in Everbound (that just dropped a mini update yesterday if you haven't read it ) A part of me wants go and on about Lilian's name and the meaning of Lilies but at the same time I also want to encourage readers to look into it. Sometimes looking into why a author picked things can be just as entertaining as the plot itself.

Heres a hint : The use of scents in chapter one and the poem might hint to some of the ongoing themes. On top of this I would look at Lilies and take her job into account ( toxicology)
What I can talk about is the use of gray it is meant to not only represent Lilian's downward spiral and mourning of a lost ex but also her repressing her identity. Gray is very natural and bland It can go with anything like how Lilian can change herself to fit into what others want.

I can come back and go way more in depth for Lilian and some of the cast that is going to come in during later chapters.

Hey everyone,

I love the idea of this thread! It's fascinating how symbolism can add so much depth to character design and storytelling. I've always been drawn to the way symbols can convey complex ideas and emotions subtly.

In my own work, I often use color symbolism to reflect a character's personality and journey. For instance, one of my main characters starts off with a lot of dark, muted colors, representing his inner turmoil and secrecy. As he grows and finds redemption, his palette shifts to lighter, more vibrant colors, symbolizing his newfound clarity and peace.

Flower Language (Victorian Floriography) is another tool I love incorporating. One of my characters, a healer, is closely associated with lavender, which symbolizes healing, calmness, and purity. It’s a small detail, but it adds a layer of meaning to her actions and motivations.

Gemstones also play a big role in my designs. A warrior character of mine carries a sword with a sapphire embedded in the hilt. Sapphires represent wisdom, virtue, and good fortune, which aligns perfectly with his role as a protector and guide for the younger characters.

Bird symbolism is something I haven't explored as much, but I find it incredibly intriguing. I think I might start incorporating it more, especially for characters with animal totems or spirit animals. For example, a character with a hawk totem might symbolize keen vision and focus, adding another layer to their skills and personality.

I’d love to hear more about how you all use symbolism in your designs! This is such a rich topic with endless possibilities for creativity.

Looking forward to being inspired by your ideas!

@Zahid I'm glad you're enjoying this thread! And I love hearing about the kinds of symbolism you've used in character design! I never considered a link between a healer-type character and lavender -that's fascinating! I'm also a little newer to bird symbolism myself, but my favorite so far is...

Okay maybe this is more obvious than I thought but my favorite is the raven XD They have a lot of spiritual meaning in Nordic lore especially, and they're generally seen as a bird associated with magic, transformation, and especially prophecy or divine guidance.

@Moonlily *I also meant to respond to you way sooner I'm so sorry about that ':D I love how Lilian's name is reminiscent of lilies! Especially those notoriously poison types like lily-of-the-valley, and the link to toxicology. That's awesome!

Thanks so much for your response! I'm glad you found the connection between the healer character and lavender interesting. Symbolism adds such a rich layer to character design, doesn't it?

The raven is an excellent choice! Its deep roots in Nordic lore and associations with magic, transformation, and prophecy are incredibly powerful. It’s amazing how much depth you can add to a character by incorporating these kinds of symbolic elements. I might explore ravens in my designs too, especially for characters with a mysterious or prophetic role.

It’s also interesting to think about how different cultures interpret the same symbols. For instance, in some Native American traditions, the raven is seen as a creator and a trickster, adding another layer of complexity.

@Moonlily, I love the idea of using a character's name to hint at their traits and symbolism. Lilian and lilies, especially the toxic ones, is a brilliant touch. It’s these kinds of details that really make characters come alive and resonate with readers.

I’m excited to hear more about everyone’s use of symbolism and maybe even get inspired to try out some new ideas in my own work. This thread is such a treasure trove of creativity!

Looking forward to more amazing discussions!