So, there's a lot of symbols blended into one for the Adderstone, and on Leander's spell circle, so I figure why not look at each one of them?
I do want to preface this by saying it's really interesting that Leander uses a spell circle when he's branding someone. Maybe it was so there an was interesting visual with symbolism, but it could also hint it's a more powerful spell, since in the prologue the Alchemist MC noted that it was unusual for Leander *not* to use a spell circle when casting. Maybe he's doing more than just a physical mark when he brands an Adder.
I sincerely hope this is coherent because I've written it all over the course of 12 days and most of the time I wrote parts in isolation.
Anyways, symbol analysis/observations below the cut, and because of how entwined everything in Touchstarved is, the symbols appear elsewhere and the analysis is not limited to Leander and the Adderstone.
The Celtic Knot (specifically: Triquetra)
This symbol also appears on Mhin's cloak.
It stands for trinities, just as the triple moon on Leander's belt does. It also represents interconnectedness and unity.
Touchstarved as a game has a lot to do with how things are intertwined since it takes heavy influence from alchemy, so it's another symbol tying things together. Its meaning for 'unity', though, is probably why Leander chose it. When explaining the Adderstone to MC, he stressed the importance of community and loyalty. Having a symbol of unity being branded into an Adder's skin really solidifies how there's no turning back once someone joins.
It's also used as a protective symbol, perhaps suggesting that as long as the Adders stick together as one, they'll be safe.
As for how it appears on Mhin's cloak... Mhin seems to value community, which is why they don't allow themselves to have it. It's a rather ironic. And despite the fact that they aren't an Adder, they do work with Leander, who does want to recruit them officially. Maybe a hint towards their association. There's also associations with the triquetra and the Morrígan, but that's for another post when I've done more research.
2. The Circle w/Moon phases
This appears on the symbol itself and inside of the spell circle Leander casts.
Firstly, the moon phases. Only full, new, and waning half are shown. Typically, moon phases represent time, change, cycles, and rebirth, which are all heavy ideas in Leander's design (triple moon on his belt, ouroboros earring, lilies he summoned in the prologue, infinity knot on his key).
Secondly, the circles. Traditionally, represents cycles and protection. In alchemy, the spirit, transmutation and the divine feminine.
So, the symbol boils down to change and cycles. Potentially, in context of the Adderstone, inescapability. Leander won't leave you and you won't leave him. Change and cycles are also important concepts in alchemy.
3. Crescent w/ Star
The star appears in a few other places as well.
(yes i'm counting the Halloween art)
Typically the star and crescent do not have a 4-point star, so this feels deliberate.
4-point stars are associated with both Venus (the Morning Star, associated with Lucifer) and the Star of Bethlehem (and generally Jesus' birth). The star is also associated with knowledge. One symbol representing sin, salvation, and knowledge. And it always appears in places associated with all of those things: Kuras (the Divine Teacher), the Senobium, and Leander (connections to the Magician tarot card and he clearly values information, promising to help MC but clearly hiding something).
The 4 points also represent a lot of sets of 4: the cardinal directions, the classical elements, seasons, equinoxes/solstices, which leads it to be associated with balance and interconnectedness.
The crescent and star together are often seen as a symbol of Hecate and were used on various currencies. Fitting with knowledge being the currency of Eridia. Typically, the moon and star, when interpreted as Venus, depicted the two in conjunction.
Overall, the symbol strikes me as meaning 'the time is right' and general calculation, both things associated with the Magician card.
4. Downwards triangle
In alchemy, a triangle pointing downwards means 'water'. Leander has other triangles on his outfit representing the elements, and the Adderstone symbol adds more 'water' to the set.
His outfit has fire, the upwards triangle, and earth, the downwards triangle with the line. On his collar/harness, he has the water symbol as well.
Since the Adderstone brand also has the water symbol, I see this as them being an extension of his influence. But as far as I can tell, he does not have air. He doesn't have every elemental symbol, there is something missing. The painting that was never finished.
There's two interpretations I could see: that Leander is missing freedom and room to breathe (taking 'air' more literally), or that he does not have ultimate power (taking 'air' as the heavens or height = power).
Now slight theory time, MC represents all the things Leander is missing: they have no ties to anyone, no expectations of who they should be. And they have their curse, which Leander refers to as a power. He could see MC as a way to complete himself.
Moving on, it's another set of 3, with only fire, water, and earth present on Leander.
Now if he does have the air symbol somewhere on him and I just cannot find it: ignore all that 👍 but I do think MC's not having ties is part of why he's drawn to them. Easy target n all that.
(EDIT: He does have an air symbol, it's the sword on his earring; check comments for elaboration on that by @/deadbe)
ANYWAY in addition again, combined with the star above the crescent in the entire symbol, it reminds me of 'as above, so below'.
Last point, it's interesting that he has several symbols for water when water symbolism is most heavy with Ais, especially since water as an element often means transformation.
5. Twined Crosses (?)
Yeah I'm not sure if these are called anything.
I don't believe they're any specific symbol (or two overlapping symbols), although if anyone can find something, I'm interested. All I can figure is the way they intertwine is another reference to alchemy, how everything is inseparable and affecting everything else.
So, the symbols largely represent unity, protection, cycles, and transformation.
Protection and unity are huge parts of the Adderstone, especially with a potential translation of the writing on the wall being 'rise together, fall apart' (not my translation, translated here)
Cycles and transformation are very important in both magic and alchemy, but considering...
...it feels more like a 'you made this choice and you can't escape'.
The core of the Adderstone, reflected in every symbol that makes up the brand, is the idea that loyalty is a choice and you will be given protection and the ability to change Lowtown, and once you make that choice, there is absolutely no backing out for you.
The last thing I want to say about it is the placement of each symbol. Symbols reflecting unity are placed in the center, while water is at the bottom and the crescent and star at the bottom. I think it represents the hierarchy in Eridia.
The symbol for knowledge is at the top, the symbols for unity and protection are in the center, and the symbol for change is at the bottom. Going from bottom to top, it feels like saying through the willingness to change by standing together, the gap between Hightown and Lowtown can bridged. What 'bridged' means in Leander's mind, though, remains to be seen.
sunnydale high. oh sunnydale high. it feels like a monster itself sometimes. a hungry beast to feed helpless corpses to. if they shut down everytime someone died the place would never open.
no one there likes you or cares about you and god knows no one believes you. go through the motions keep your head down just try to get out. it still might not be enough to stay alive. did you really think you could survive this?
*Sun-Kissed Cookie was running around and looking around. She can’t tell what is real or fake and she was horrified. She didn’t know where anyone was because she ran too far. Moon-Kissed kept trying to speak to her but she wouldn’t listen. She was too far gone and she didn’t even know if she was sane herself.. she suddenly stoppped. She was now at her sunflower garden.. or what seemed to be.. she couldn’t tell. She looks around before locking her eyes on something. It looked like faded flower..? But she had no face. Her vision began to get blurry and staticky as she kept focusing on it.. an eye opens.. too realistic to be a cookie. She starts running the other direction, screaming and crying until she couldnt anymore. She fell on the ground and curled up, holding her knees and sobbing…*
