#galahd color code

[secret-engima]

Hello! Love your Galahdian world building, but uh, quick question. What does the color silver mean?

The color silver is an offshoot of white! White means "to destroy until there is nothing but ash", so a very extreme meaning, but silver is more focused. It's the intent of White -to burn something very very thoroughly into ash and ruin- but it's focused on some specific target rather than literally the world at large.

Which is why the Galahdians don't protest silver being on Kingsglaive uniforms, because if they could they very much would like to turn Niflheim Specifically into said ash.

[a-world-in-grey]

Galahdian Color Code - Combined Meanings

Primary color determines the core of the meaning, with Secondary colors adding depth depending how much of each Secondary color is present. As such, different people can wear the same colors but with different Primaries/Secondaries and have completely different meanings.

Not all colors take on slightly different meanings as secondaries, but some do. As a general rule:

Red Secondaries - Typically mean that the wearer will Throw Hands on behalf of someone/something else, or because of someone/something.

Yellow Secondaries - Indicate the wearer is acting for those they love.

Green Secondaries - Generally a warning for others to be Vigilant, rather than an expression of Vigilance on part of the wearer.

Black Secondaries - Indicate that the Primary color will only stop/end in death.

White Secondaries - Indicate that the wearing has nothing left, or that the wearer will continue with the Primary color until nothing is left.

Pink Secondaries - Generally mean that the wearer is a poisoner instead of having been betrayed - but as most Galahdians aren’t pushed to those kinds of tactics unless they’ve been betrayed, the assumption of prior betrayal remains.

Certain color combinations have specific associations outside their literal meanings.

Orange/White - This is a color combination specifically worn by those who are the Last of their clan. Means that the wearer has nothing and nobody left, that they are alone. A heartbreaking combination to see on a Galahdian.

Yellow/Pink - The usual response to seeing this combination is ‘stab first ask questions later.’ It indicates the wearer has felt that their love for someone has been betrayed, and so they will get their revenge on the one who betrayed them by killing them and/or their loved ones. As there’s no real way to tell who might be on the wearer’s list of targets, other Galahdians will stab first out of self-preservation.

Yellow/Brown - This, and the gold/brown variant, is typically used to signify that the wearer grieves the deaths of Kin/Clan, though it can be used for friends. 

Pink/Blue - This is another combination that will result in Galahdians stabbing out of reflex, as the wearer is indicating that they intend to get their revenge by killing that which their victim protects.

Pink/Purple - Unlike most other combinations with pink, this combination is acceptable for Galahdians to wear. It’s not a good combination, but it is an honored one, for it is worn by Kinslayers who must act in defense of the Clan by killing either the Chief or another ‘untouchable’ Clansman. This combination is so rarely worn that those who do wear it are automatically assumed to be Kinslayers and Chief-killers.

Pink/Black - This combination is as terrifying to see as pink and yellow, for it means that the wearer will not stop in their revenge until they are dead, with no care for the collateral. Another ‘stab first’ combination.

Pink/White - Similar to pink and black, the wearer intends to get their revenge by poisoning anything and everything.

Pink/Brown - Like pink and purple, this combination is an acceptable and honored combination for Galahdians to wear. This combination is specifically reserved for those declaring revenge for a loss.

Black/Brown - Unending grief, and usually prompts other Galahdians to keep an eye on the wearer in case they slip into depression.

[a-world-in-grey]

Galahdian Color Code - Singular Meanings

Each color has a specific meaning. This meaning can be affected by the shade - brighter shades convey a more intense meaning, while lighter/duller shades are more subtle. In addition, certain colors can mimic others - most often seen with near-black or near-metallic shades - and those shades take on the implication of the color mimicked. Metals carry the meaning of their parent color, but also hold specific meanings.

Red - Wrath/War. Red is used to convey a general willingness to Throw Hands. Not a color often worn in large amounts.

Orange - Freedom/Independence.

     Copper - Variant shade that means Life, and is associated with births, accomplishments, and new beginnings.

Yellow - Love. This color is used for romantic, platonic, and familial love.

     Gold - Variant shade reserved for life-long partners and to designate Clan Chiefs.

Green - Vigilance/Caution. Green is also used as a warning for others to be vigilant and cautious of the wearer.

Blue - Protection.

Purple - Loyalty. To people, places, or ideals.

Black - Undaunted. Not necessarily a bad color, but concerning to see when not tempered by another. Indicates that the wearer will not be stopped - not by enemies, long odds, or common sense.

White - Purity/Destruction. Also known as Pyre-purity, for it’s the purity of nothing remaining but ash, of total destruction, of having nothing left.

     Silver - Variant shade meaning a  more controlled destruction. The destruction associated with the steel of a weapon - and with a correspondingly shorter range.

Grey - Cunning/Intelligence.

Brown - Grief/Loss.

     Bronze - Variant shade that means Death, and only used to adorn the dead. Indicates a total absence of Life, and not even Galahdians who are dying or suicidal will wear it. Seeing a living Galahdian wearing bronze sends up major red flags - because it’s highly likely they won’t be among the living much longer.

Pink - Poison/Betrayal. This color is bad. Pink signifies the wearer is discarding all societal values in order to accomplish their goals. Lighter shades can indicate someone who does so on behalf of the Clan, while vibrant shades generally indicate flat-out insanity. Those convicted of serious crimes are dressed in this color before being Exiled.

[a-world-in-grey]

Astrals and Galahdian Color Code

Because @ends-of-the-wayward-storm asked and I finally have an answer. Also tagging @secret-engima since it’s based on her Color Code and some of her Astral and Galahd worldbuilding.

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Ifrit - white. Purity of nothing remaining but ash. Of wiping the slate clean and destroying everything that taints. (Secondary colors are gold, red, and pink, depending on how Ifrit is being depicted. Because Galahd remembers how Ifrit was the first of the Astrals to care for humanity. How humanity betrayed him and that is why he Raged. How the other Astrals struck him down, betraying him, in order to save humanity. Galahdian art is unique in portraying Ifrit’s side of the story, though anyone who doesn’t know the Galahdian Color Code wouldn’t be able to see it, thinking it merely another piece of art about the War of the Astrals with an... interesting choice of color schemes.)

Ramuh - black. Undaunted and unstoppable. Fearless in the face of danger and continuing onward with dogged determination regardless of difficulty or disappointment. (Secondary colors are blue, yellow, purple, and pink. Because Ramuh is Galahd’s patron. Galahd remembers how Ramuh walked among them, his children, and taught them just as Ifrit once walked with and taught those of Solheim. They remember how Ramuh’s love and loyalty to them led him to protect them from Ifrit’s Rage, even if it meant betraying the other Astral. Galahd remembers that betrayal, remembers the Kinslaying, and to this day that act is remembered - honored, even, in it’s own way - in the combination of purple and pink. And Galahd legend states that is why Ramuh no longer walks with them - for there can be no other fate for a Kinslayer but Exile.)

Shiva - grey. Cunning and mischief and trickery. Intelligence so sharp as to be a weapon (and in some cases, so sharp as to be silver). (Secondary colors are yellow, blue, pink and brown. For Shiva fell in love with Ifrit, and through him learned to love humanity as well. Shiva protected humanity, betrayed her lover for those she loved, for those they both loved. And so she betrayed Ifrit as much as Solheim did, helping Bahamut strike him down. And Shiva mourned her lover’s death, mourned the loss of Ifrit’s children, mourned the loss of Ifrit’s Fire to Shiva’s Ice.)

Bahamut - red. War and blood. The mindless violence of the battlefield, the furious haze of battle-lust, lacking any need for finesse or weapons. (Secondary colors are silver, black, blue, and pink. For Bahamut is also of Steel. Of sword and axe and arrow and the merciless intent to kill and destroy that is in their forging. And Bahamut is of Prophecy, speaking this will be into fate and refusing to let anyone stop his decrees. Protecting humanity, but betraying and killing Ifrit, betraying the other Astrals by making them Kinslayers at his side. And betraying humanity as well, because Galahd has never been one to believe in such a thing as fate. Fate is a choice, and taking away that choice is one of the greatest betrayals of all. Galahd... is not very fond of Bahamut.)

Leviathan - orange. Freedom and life. The ocean at dawn, morning sun turning the waves to fire, calling to those who would seek the freedom of life at sea, unbound by anything but the Sea and the Sky. (Secondary colors are green, black, grey, brown, red, pink. For the Sea is not kind and never merciful, and those who live by it must be vigilant and fearless and cunning to not only survive, but truly thrive upon the waves. But Galahd remembers Leviathan’s TideSingers, remembers how Leviathan mourned the loss of her Blessed - all dead, their descendants scattered on the waves - and how her grief and Rage still persist to this day. And Galahd also remembers how Leviathan’s Grief and Rage led her to aid Bahamut in slaying Ifrit, repaying betrayal with betrayal.)

Titan - yellow. Love and care. Gold and heliodor and the sun-ripe wheat of the summer harvest, and the continual care and effort required for all of it. (Secondary colors are green, black, blue, and pink. For the earth requires not only that one cares, but also that one watches and listens and does not give up even when one fails. For Titan protected humanity from the Meteor that would have destroyed their star, protected them again by betraying Ifrit who also would have destroyed them for the sins of a few.)

[a-world-in-grey]

Galahd Color Code questions

Yo, @secret-engima quick question since your asks are still turned off (no probs, I know ur still working through the backlog).

If Gold is Yellow and Silver is White - does that mean Copper is Orange and Bronze is Brown? Those are kind of the last two major precious metals, and if Copper is Orange then I have ideas.

[a-world-in-grey]

Completed Color Chart! (First draft, subject to corrections by @secret-engima so this could change)

Singular color meanings are included as well!

Does not include Gold or Silver, which are variants on Yellow and White respectively. Gold is typically for Love, the kind reserved for lifelong partners and is typically romantic. (In SoHL, gold also typically designates Clan Chiefs, so feel free to incorporate that too.) Silver is a focused and Calculated Destruction as opposed to White’s Burn Everything To Ash. Simply adjust meanings accordingly.

[a-world-in-grey]

@secret-engima

(click for full size)

Updated Galahd Color Code! Now including Brown!

[a-world-in-grey]

So, Galahd color code, I think you and SecretEnigma said that Exiles would most likely be wearing brown. If an Exile went to start over on the Mainland, what colors would they wear? Brown, yes, black maybe? Brown and black. Maybe orange? What would those colors say?

If I remember @secret-engima’s previous post correctly, during the actual act of Exiling someone, the Exile is dressed in pink. Now, AFTERWARDS is a different story. Because even though the Exile isn’t Galahdian anymore - and therefore wouldn’t be allowed to participate in certain traditions such as the Braids - they still grew up in that culture and things like the Color Code are going to be somewhat instinctive.

(Which is why I personally don’t think many Exiles would wear Bronze, a more intense Brown that is usually ONLY used to adorn the dead. @secret-engima stated she could see Exiles wearing to symbolize that they are ‘dead’ to the Clan, but in that case I would see them forcing the Exiles to wear Bronze upon being Exiled. A living person wearing Bronze is anathema to Galahdians - because it’s indicates a lack of life, and Galahdians consider life so very important. Not even suicidal Galahdians wear Bronze. That’s how rare and inconceivable it is, and even an Exile wouldn’t shake that ingrained associations the color invokes.)

The Color Code is a form of communication, and Galahdians can wear different colors based on how they’re feeling day to day.

So depending on how the Exile is feeling or what they want to communicate, they might wear almost any color. Red, White, or Silver if they are angry, Orange or Yellow for Freedom and Love, Blue or Purple, or Green as a message of Vigilance.

They could wear Brown, yes, as a form of mourning and grief. Being cast out from their Clan is definitely something any Galahdian would mourn.

When combined with another color, Black generally intensifies the other colors. Essentially communicating that their [color] is unstoppable. So Brown and Black together takes on the meaning of a soul-deep grief than is all-consuming and never-ending. A wound to the heart that will never heal. And that those close to the individual should keep an eye on them in case they slip into depression.

Now, Brown and Orange together can mean a couple different things. The literal meaning is ‘I grieve/mourn my Freedom.’ It could be the individual has lost their freedom and grieves because of it. Or they are free but lost something because of that freedom or in the process of gaining their freedom. Or even something else - combined color meanings are highly personalized to the individual. Others would see Brown and Orange and know that their Grief/Loss and Freedom are connected, but not necessarily how.

An Exile might wear Brown and Orange together, if they saw their Exile as a loss of freedom.

Now, combining three colors together is where things start getting VERY complicated, and where the amounts of colors worn becomes increasingly important. I’ll use Black, Brown, and Orange as an example.

The primary color determines the core of the message. Other colors add depth to the meaning, having more impact depending how much there is compared to the primary color.

So if an Exile wears Brown as a primary, then the main message is that they are mourning or have lost something. Orange and Black adds nuances of Freedom and Undaunted, possibly meaning that they lost/mourn their freedom and will never stop mourning it.

If Orange is their primary, then they are stating that they are, above all else, Free. Brown adds hints of grief and loss, perhaps to gain that freedom, while Black adds a warning that they will not let anything get between them and their freedom.

Black is very rarely worn as a primary, simply because it is a rather concerning color to see. Someone wearing mainly Black is declaring that they will not be stopped by ANYTHING. Not their enemies, not long odds, not even reason or common sense or pleas of mercy. Adding Brown adds a possible meaning that the person is so unstoppable because they are grieving. Orange... one rather terrifying possible meaning is that the person is so Undaunted because they are Free of anything holding them back. Combined with Brown, it could possibly be that they lost the only thing that might hold them back from doing really stupid and reckless things.

As for an Exile looking to start over... as heartbreaking as it is, I’d have them wear mainly Orange, with White accents. They are Free, because all they had is Naught But Ash. Perhaps with some Brown thrown in if they’re grieving.

(Generally how I throw color combinations together is by deciding the message first, and picking the colors to fit. THEN you can switch to someone else’s POV and have fun as they react to the combinations. XD)