Thup-Thups and those living in Thup-Thup societies are typically given three names throughout their lives, though individuals may receive more names or have their names modified or changed throughout their lives. The first is given at a young age and is based upon observation of the young individual, it is most often given by their caretakers as a means to describe them. The first name is also the name most often used by individuals to identify themselves. The second name is chosen later in life, usually marking a coming of age. The most often convention for second names is to be used as a title, a description of profession. It is for this reason that first names are seen as the prime identifiers while second names are extensions. The third and last name is almost always given after the death of the individual and varies greatly in complexity. In some cases it simply describes the person in life and states that they are dead, it may also include information on the cause of death or extensive chronicling of their life. Third names are rarely given before death by oracles. Third names assigned by oracles may be rejected, however they are always accurate when given by true oracles. They are usually accepted, though unfavorable third names, names that indicate a young death or a dishonorable soul for example, are rejected often.
Written names are read from right to left, following a linear progression of time, with each component name joined to the next by a symbol composed of two filled circles divided by two lines.
The written versions of names are composed of characters for words and attributes that, when combined, convey the meaning of the names. Depending on the region, the gender of the individual may also be indicated by their name, though this is not a universal practice.
The exact shape of characters is often changed to accommodate word formation, this is common in both names and other Thup-Thup writings. When characters are combined they are identified primarily based upon key characteristics rather than exact shapes.
An in depth examination of an example name follows.
The first name in the example, Chiir, is composed of four characters. The first two identify the name as a first name. In red is the character for person, designating that the word is a name. Next, in yellow-green, is the character for past, here used to signify first or preceding the second name. Past is used because this name will be from the past for much of the individuals life. In some regions the symbol for given is used instead. Next, in green-blue, is the character for writing followed by the indigo character for positive here used to mean good. Together they indicate that the person was named for being good at writing at a young age.
The first name in full is read as First/past, of person, skilled at writing.
The modification of characters in word formation can be seen in the first and third characters. In person two strokes are omitted, leaving only the most identifiable part of the shape and leaving room for past. The square in writing is also omitted and the second stroke is replaced by the leg of positive.
The second name shown, Taijal, is only composed of three characters. First, highlighted in yellow-green is the symbol for present. Present is used because the name is used for much of what would be considered the present for the individual. This is sometimes replaced by the symbol for chosen in much the same way as past is replaced by given. Next, in green-blue, is the character for poetry, indicating that the individual chose to lead a life as a poet. And last, in red, is the character for Thup-Thup, identifying the individual. If an individual of another group was brought up with Thup-Thup naming conventions then either the symbol for that group or the symbol for outsider would be used instead.
The second name in full is read as Second/Present, Poet, Thup-Thup.
More drastic modification can be seen in this name, with the tail of poetry being reversed and the loop of present replacing the line at the head. The symbol for Thup-Thup is rearranged and split in half. What was once used as a rough approximation of a face is barely recognizable.
The last name shown, Zolinel, is composed of five characters. It is an example of a simple last name that humbly honors the life of the dead. The symbol for future in yellow-green is joined by the symbol for death in brown to indicate the end of a life. Future is used because it takes place after the present that comprised the individuals life. It is sometimes, as with the other indicators of time, replaced with the symbol for end. The indigo symbol for positive is joined with the red symbol for soul to indicate that the individual had a good and respectable soul. Lastly, in purple, is the symbol for fast. Here it is used to indicate that the life of the individual ended relatively quickly, that they died young.
The last name in full is read as Future dead, honorable soul, died young.
The modification of characters can be seen in the omitting of the circle-eye in death and in the substitution of soul for the circle in fast.
The name in full is read as such:
Past, of person, skilled at writing. Present, Poet, Thup-Thup. Future dead, honorable soul, died quickly.
From name alone it can be interpreted that this individual, Chiir Taijal Zolinel, showed an aptitude for writing at an early age, lived an honorable life as a poet, died young, and was remembered for the quality of his soul. Because of the absence of a symbol indicating gender and the usage of past, present, and future instead of given, chosen, and end the it can be reasonably assumed that he lived near the central region of the punctured continent.
Looking at the name as a whole, certain patterns in name construction can also be observed. All names include an indication of time, shown in yellow green, and an indication of personhood, shown in red. Qualifiers, highlighted in blue, and descriptions, highlighted in green-blue, are also common.
The Thup-Thup god is a physical being with a body made from the corpses of the dead and a consciousness spread across the local cemeteries and churches of Thup-Thup settlements. As a result, death is not feared. It is revered as a way to become closer to their god. The bodies of dead Thup-Thups are handled with great care by high priests who have spent much of their lives training in the art of flesh sculpture. They handle the physical aspects of burial, taking the body and separating it from the limbs, setting them aside for later use. What remains of the body is carefully covered in sacred powder, often a reddish mixture though it varies in composition and color from region to region. The body is then interred into the funeral corpse. The edges are smoothed into the flesh mass and most identifying marks are lost. Meanwhile, the life of the dead is chronicled and later read as eulogy during the ceremony before it is set on the bookshelf of the dead. The shelf holds descriptions of the lives of all that have died and been interred, in some cases books are also accompanied by objects special to the dead such as pieces of jewelry or weapons.
