Lore Questions: Why is Gridania's Flag Yellow, and What do the 'Twin Adders' Mean?

[Enkidoh]

These two points have had me wondering even before 1.0's launch - the symbolism behind Gridania's national flag:



For a nation which places such importance in nature and the environment around them, the colours and design of the flag struck me as rather odd choices - yellow doesn't really come across as a 'natural' colour, other than that of the sun and sand, neither of which are really common in The Black Shroud. I would have thought green would have been more appropriate especially due to the fact the city itself is green all over.

Could the reason behind Gridania's flag being yellow and not green have had something to do with wanting to avoid player confusion with this flag (which also has a tree in it)?:



It's the flag of the Federation of Windurst from FFXI in case you didn't know.

As for the two snakes, what importance do they have? Is it some kind of metaphor for the elementals, or something else, more abstract? I've never been able to understand the whole reasoning behind the twin adders, especially as the other two main citystates (Ul'dah and Limsa Lominsa) have flags which have literal meanings (LL's with the longboat, showing they're a naval power, and Ul'dah's with the scales balancing a gemstone and a flame, symbolizing the importance they place on industry and trade).

In any event, as a loyal Gridanian I'm rather interested in finding out the lore reasons behind the adoption of the Gridania flag so I hope Ferne or someone on the development team could enlighten us as to this.

*lays offerings to the ahriman loregod*

[Seirra_Lanzce]

too much greenish in the green forest. Yellow add contrast to it, is a matter of design choice if i'm not mistaken. Why Yellow? Snake can be yellow too, maybe is because of the Adder that yellow is a colour choice

[Yrusama]

too much greenish in the green forest. Yellow add contrast to it, is a matter of design choice if i'm not mistaken.

This is the most likely choice for all three. An army's banner should be clear and visible against any background.

Thanalan has a lot of pale yellow colors (sand), so black contrasts nicely. Apart from that, Nald'thal (attributed to scales) is the dual-manifestation of life/wealth and death/virtue. Take wealth (gold) and death (black) and you have the Ul'dah flag!

Limsa Lominsa is a sea-faring nation, so the ship flag is obvious. That being said, there is a lot of green in La Noscea and blue on the sea, making Red stand out vibrantly. There are other things one can speculate, as well.
*It's not a trade city, but one of war and bloodshed. Blood is red.
*Limsa Lominsa is on the western edge of Vylbrand, which in turn is to the west of Aldenard. As the sun sets in the west, the sky (and maybe the reflective sea) might turn red.
*edit: Between Vylbrand and the Cieldalaes (islands) is the Rhotano Sea. "Rhot" in Roegadyn means "red", but there isn't a word "ano" or "tano" in the Roegadyn dictionary.

The ironic thing about yellow is that it's also a prominent color for toxicity and biohazards. Sure, some snakes are poisonous, but you'd think a nature loving community would avoid putting such things on their flag.

[Catapult]

Most of this is coming from memory, but I'll field what I can, being the resident Chief Serpent Loremonger Lieutenant.

The elements of the device can be considered representations of Gridania's socio-political infrastructure. The lotus flower represents Stillglade Fane, seat of the Conjurers who are the de-facto theocratic government of Gridania. They are protected by two entities:
- The Wood Wailers, who protect the citizenry of Gridania; and
- The God's Quiver, who protect the Twelveswood from external threats.
In this way, these two entities protectively wrap themselves around that which Gridania holds dear.

Additional fun facts:
- The council of Seedseers meet at the Lotus Stand.
- Ixal lore tells how Garuda became hungry for flesh only after she saved the Ixal from a cruel Serpent. (This lore is probably just as warped by the ages as that of the Twelve, but I'm guessing there is a connection here that associates the Ixal being cast out of Tinolqa with the establishment of Gridania.)

I suspect that among the zodiac associated with Heavensturn, the Year of the Snake represents the Year of Nophica, Gridania's patron, much like how the Rabbit represented Halone and the Dragon represented Althyk, creating a reverse rotation of the gods through the cycle of elements.

As to why yellow? I'm not entirely sure and this is entirely conjecture, but I think of yellow as the colour of the earth. Nophica's elemental affiliation is Astral Earth, so a bright yellow rather than a brown would be appropriate for her.
(Ice = light blue; Water = dark blue; Lightning = purple; Wind = green; Fire = red)


Edit: Making sure to distinguish the emblem from Windurst would have very likely been a design consideration to work with, but by no means the sole reason for this appearance.

[Ramesses]

Most of this is coming from memory, but I'll field what I can, being the resident Chief Serpent Loremonger Lieutenant.

The elements of the device can be considered representations of Gridania's socio-political infrastructure. The lotus flower represents Stillglade Fane, seat of the Conjurers who are the de-facto theocratic government of Gridania. They are protected by two entities:
- The Wood Wailers, who protect the citizenry of Gridania; and
- The God's Quiver, who protect the Twelveswood from external threats.
In this way, these two entities protectively wrap themselves around that which Gridania holds dear.

Additional fun facts:
- The council of Seedseers meet at the Lotus Stand.
- Ixal lore tells how Garuda became hungry for flesh only after she saved the Ixal from a cruel Serpent. (This lore is probably just as warped by the ages as that of the Twelve, but I'm guessing there is a connection here that associates the Ixal being cast out of Tinolqa with the establishment of Gridania.)

I suspect that among the zodiac associated with Heavensturn, the Year of the Snake represents the Year of Nophica, Gridania's patron, much like how the Rabbit represented Halone and the Dragon represented Althyk, creating a reverse rotation of the gods through the cycle of elements.

As to why yellow? I'm not entirely sure and this is entirely conjecture, but I think of yellow as the colour of the earth. Nophica's elemental affiliation is Astral Earth, so a bright yellow rather than a brown would be appropriate for her.
(Ice = light blue; Water = dark blue; Lightning = purple; Wind = green; Fire = red)


Edit: Making sure to distinguish the emblem from Windurst would have very likely been a design consideration to work with, but by no means the sole reason for this appearance.

This... totally agree with you Catapult, and thanks for perfectly suggesting the significance regarding the lotus and serpents. Also agree with the idea that Yellow was chosen because it is a spiritual colour relating to the Earth element.

Only thing I will add is that I think the triangular shape of the banner (which is the classic triangular shield shape) also emphasizes the ancient origins of the region. Triangular banners were one of the earliest styles of heraldry or flags (however, triangular shields or the "kite-shield" only came several centuries after the classic Greek circular Hoplons and the Roman rectangular Scutums)

And to the OP... awesome thread

[Fernehalwes]

They are protected by two entities:
- The Wood Wailers, who protect the citizenry of Gridania; and
- The God's Quiver, who protect the Twelveswood from external threats.
In this way, these two entities protectively wrap themselves around that which Gridania holds dear.

Hey Catapult,

Thanks (as always) for taking the time to chime in to show off the nuggets you've gathered while panning for lore.

HOWEVER, the Ahriman Assayer (scribbles down idea for new monster name) cannot accept this particular nugget...as it is fool's gold.

Fun Fact: We just translated a quest last week which touches upon the Gridanian standard and the TRUE meaning behind the twin snakes. It actually originated fiv-- Uh... The loremaster's giving me the evil eye... I think I'll stop right here...

Sorry I can't divulge any further, but rest assured, more info is coming.

[Catapult]

Hey Catapult,

Thanks (as always) for taking the time to chime in to show off the nuggets you've gathered while panning for lore.

HOWEVER, the Ahriman Assayer (scribbles down idea for new monster name) cannot accept this particular nugget...as it is fool's gold.

But... but... I'm a miner! I should be able to recognise pyrite! D:

Fun Fact: We just translated a quest last week which touches upon the Gridanian standard and the TRUE meaning behind the twin snakes. It actually originated fiv-- Uh... The loremaster's giving me the evil eye... I think I'll stop right here...

Sorry I can't divulge any further, but rest assured, more info is coming.

/ears prick
/brain clicks
/starts scribbling furiously
You may have revealed far more than you realise. *_*

Of course I'm going to need a bit of time to consolidate these thoughts.

[auritribe]

This is the logo for the American Medical Association. Because I can. It doesn't have anything to do with the subject, but I'll leave it here anyway.

[auritribe]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_of_Asclepius

[Nakiamiie]

This is the logo for the American Medical Association. Because I can. It doesn't have anything to do with the subject, but I'll leave it here anyway.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_of_Asclepius

Correction, it's the Rod of Caduceus, not the Rod of Asclepius: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caduceus