Quick headcanon about Kryptonian/Kryptonese
Its a very vague, general, and very poetic language despite being a very scientific society.
For example, (according to Kryptonian Dictionary) the word “El” by itself roughly translates to the word, “Sun”. But because the society worshipped their sun, Rao, it would be with great Narcissim to think that one could have the surname of “Sun”. So the House of El then roughly translates to, The House of Star(s).
But their house motto is “El Mayarah”, which - according to Kara - means “Stronger Together” but “El” doesn’t mean “Stronger”… and “Mayarah” roughly translates to “band together”… So it really means, “stars band together.”
I headcanon that Kara was only able to give a very loose, very shorthand translation. Because she’s not sure how else to fully capture the phrase, how to fully give the full description without it losing the meaning.
Because Krypton is a logical, scientific society - and when the House of El is a mostly scientific house, then they know that the stars are really just distant suns, often dying suns, often dead suns - and yet they still shine in the night. They also know that the stars can be used to map out your location. You could be lost, but just look up at the night sky and look at the stars, and then you realize you’re not alone no matter where you are, no matter what planet you’re on.
So, on Krypton, the complete phrase would be something like a proverb - translated into something like, “One Star is enough to light the day, but Stars Band Together to light up the darkest of nights.” - It’s meant to say that by yourself, you can only achieve so much. But with others? You achieve so much more.
It’s meant to transcend distance. It’s meant to transcend time. It’s meant to transcend death. No matter where, no matter when, no matter how.
On Earth, in English, the best way to translate it is just simply, “Stronger Together.”
When Kara says, “El Mayarah” she really means to say, “I’m with you no matter what, no matter when, no matter where….”
And so when Kara looks at her house emblem, she remembers her house, The House of El - The House of Stars. She remembers their motto, El Mayarah, the Kryptonian phrase for dead stars that still light up the darkest of nights. She remembers happier times with her family. She remembers that she’s been given a new family.
(And that’s where she succeeds the house motto where Clark fails; he believes it’s his sole duty to be strong for everyone, she knows she’s stronger with everyone.)
I will forever cherish this interpretation. I just love it.
Scientifically poetic and pure beauty.
