summation
-
One Elden Ring fan suggested that Erdtree could be based on a West Australian Christmas tree.
-
Not only do the two trees look very similar, but both trees are also believed to house the spirits of the dead.
The most iconic image of Elden Ring is undoubtedly the Erdtree. Styled after the World Tree from the Berserk manga, often drawn by Hidetaka Miyazaki, this plant can be seen spreading its branches across the sky throughout the Land of Sai.
The World Tree is inspired by Yggdrasil and the Bodhi Tree from Norse mythology and Buddhism, and the Elden Ring appears to have been similarly inspired.
But Reddit user Independent-Design17 thinks there's another inspiration we're missing. This is Nuytsia floribund, also known as the Western Australian Christmas tree.
Even at Christmas, Elden Ring fans are delving deeper into the legend.
As they point out, it looks very similar to Erdtree, especially Minor. But there are similarities that go much deeper than just aesthetics.
In Elden Ring we learn that the souls of the dead were ritually guided to Erdtree, which is why we discover catacombs built around Erdtree's giant roots. The demigods and champions were even memorably “sculpted by Erdtree.” The cycle of life and death is a central part of the mythology, and Nuisia has similar cultural significance.
As writer Sharnae Watson explains on the Margaret River Town website, the indigenous Wadandi people know Nuisia as the “spirit tree,” with each flower representing the soul of a deceased person. Bright, vibrant colors often look like a sunset. It is therefore believed that the soul travels throughout Australia, “through caves and across the seas”, as it did in Elden Ring, before finally coming to rest.
Another connection that Independent-Design17 makes has to do with a popular theory among Elden Ring fans. It is often claimed that Erdtree is a parasite that infected the roots of the original primordial bamboo. This massive tree is believed to contain the crucible, the melting pot of all life. Likewise, Nuytsia is a hemiparasite, meaning it steals water and minerals from surrounding plants to survive.
However, it is worth noting that the parasite theory is hotly debated. First of all, the 'giant tree' mentioned in various item descriptions does not exist. (As LaMi_1 pointed out) It's the result of a bad translation. Actually the translation should be Erdtree's own “Great Roots”. Despite this, some people still believe that it is a parasite and was planted with bad intentions by a greater will.
Whatever the case, there are striking similarities between Erdtree and Nuytsia, both visually and thematically. Whether intentional or not, only FromSoftware can confirm. But regardless, it's a fun excuse to play Elden Ring again this Christmas.
Built on the universe of Game of Thrones author George RR Martin and developed by FromSoftware, Elden Ring is a masterpiece of the 'Soulslike' genre of action role-playing games.
