An intriguing sense of symbolism stands out here, opening up space for reflection.
The name *Horizon* literally refers to the line where the earth meets the sky. For Aloy, the horizon is constantly intertwined with the unknown, with journeys, and with everything that lies beyond the visible world. In the first game, her path begins with a longing to discover what is hidden past the borders of familiar life, and it culminates in unraveling the mysteries of an entire civilization.
Meanwhile, Meridian is the capital of the Carja people, named after the geographical term. In a physical sense, a meridian is an imaginary line stretching across the globe, while in astronomy, the sun reaches the meridian at noon—the highest point of its journey through the sky.
This creates a fascinating symbolic pairing:
* **Horizon:** A line extending into the distance, a path forward, a search for the future.
* **Meridian:** A vertical axis connected to the sun, the center of the world, and the present moment.
Delving deeper, the horizon and the meridian represent the two fundamental coordinates people have used since ancient times to navigate space and the celestial bodies. One indicates direction into the distance, while the other helps determine the position of the sun. Together, they form a complete navigation system.
Looking beyond literal canon to the core imagery of the characters, Aloy truly embodies the horizon: she is in perpetual motion, impossible to tether to one place for long. Her gaze is always fixed beyond the known world, driven by the question, "What lies further ahead?"
The horizon is beautiful precisely because it can never be reached; it recedes with every step forward. There is something profoundly characteristic of Aloy in this: having accomplished one goal, she immediately looks toward the next.
Avad, on the other hand, aligns perfectly with the image of the meridian. He is tied to Meridian not only as its ruler but as an individual. He provides a point of support and stability; his role is not to venture into the unknown, but to hold together and guide the state. He remains the center to which one can always return.
Interestingly, the horizon and the meridian are not opposites. They are required simultaneously for navigation. One grants direction, while the other offers a system of coordinates and a point of reference.
Thus, in a romantic interpretation, a touching image emerges: Aloy is forever reaching for new horizons, while Avad remains that rare presence existing as a reliable anchor in the world.
It feels exceptionally meaningful that their potential story is intertwined with Meridian. The horizon-woman meets the meridian-man in the city that literally bears the name Meridian. Within the world of *Horizon*, this association feels remarkably natural, even if the developers never intentionally planned it.
How does this dynamic function if Aloy eventually chooses to settle in Meridian permanently and become Avad’s wife?
In that scenario, the symbolism does not vanish; it transforms. While Aloy wanders, the image of the "horizon" remains literal—she is always moving further away. Yet, the horizon is more than just movement; it is also the capacity to see further than others, to look beyond the boundaries of the familiar world. If we imagine Aloy remaining in Meridian as Avad’s wife, she ceases to be the horizon as a traveler, but she remains the horizon as a person.
Avad can still be the meridian—the center, the axis, the point of stability. It is simply that a different geometry arises between them.
In astronomy, the horizon and the meridian do not exist independently of one another; they intersect. Any celestial observation is constructed relative to both the horizon and the meridian at the same time. One determines the direction of the gaze, while the other establishes the position of the observer.
In this reading, Avad provides stability, while Aloy provides perspective.
He helps sustain the state.
She helps perceive what lies beyond its borders.
He focuses on how to preserve the world.
She contemplates what this world might become.
A meridian without a horizon becomes a center of the world locked within itself. A horizon without a meridian remains an endless road without a home.
This phrase captures the core essence. Without a reference point, without a Meridian, Aloy’s eternal movement risks turning into an endless flight, where every reached goal merely exposes the next emptiness. Without breadth of vision, without a Horizon, Avad’s Meridian risks becoming trapped in a cycle of internal problems, celebrations, and courtly routine.
This is precisely why the image does not devolve into "Aloy sacrificed her identity for marriage." Rather, the opposite occurs: the horizon ceases to be a line of escape and becomes a line of vision.
Even while living in Meridian, Aloy is unlikely to become someone who sits in the palace, consumed entirely by courtly affairs. Instead, she would remain the one who brings new ideas, knowledge of other cultures, technologies of the past world, and unexpected solutions to the capital.
This yields a beautiful piece of symbolism. A meridian without a horizon becomes a center of the world locked within itself. A horizon without a meridian remains an endless road without a home. Together, they form a system of coordinates.
For a romantic narrative, this is even more powerful than the trope of eternal waiting. It is not a matter of "he waits for her to return," but rather "she has finally found a place where her distant gaze does not conflict with the desire to stay." Ironically, in this version, the horizon does not disappear—it simply stops being a line at the edge of the world and becomes a part of home.
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