The Signs and Symbols of Amathine

[Toffee 1111]

The Seven Stars of the Mariner

The seven stars at the top of the sigil represent the constellation Narnir’vallei, otherwise known as the Mariner. These seven stars can be found on the heraldry of House Sylvaeri in recognition of the importance of this constellation to the Almenodrim as a seafaring people. The seven stars can also be said to represent the seven sons of Sylvaen: Aegnor, Edrahil, Renarion, Muindir, Ilurien, Vitras, and Erendriel.

 

The Ame’lie Tree

The ame’lie tree is of great cultural importance to the Wood Elven people. Ancient Wood Elves in the time of Irrin Sirame would selectively cultivate these trees. In the Lay of Aegrothond: The Tale of Vitras, Vitras sails back to the forgotten kingdom to claim the seeds of elder trees and bring them to the Almenodrim in exile. However, finding none, he returned to his people empty handed. In the modern era, some say that Vitras was in fact successful in bringing elder trees to the mainland in the form of what is now recognised as the ame’lie tree. The ame’lie tree on the sigil of Amathine represents the delicate intertwining of the Almenodrim and Wood Elven cultures which started in the Principality of Aegrothond and was solidified in the Crown of Elvenesse.

 

The Crown of Tides

“To you, Heart of the Sea, I bequeath the Crown of Tides—that in the glory of thy name, and upon thy brow may rest the bond ‘tween sea and wood.” These were the words spoken by Sea Prince Fëanor to his sister High Princess Idril upon crowning her. The elegant chains hanging from the crown are made up of pearls taken from the shores of Aegrothond in Arcas. The significance of High Princess Idril’s crown on the sigil of Amathine is in recognition that the Crown of Amaethea was renamed to the Crown of Amathine upon High Princess Idril’s ascension to the throne, indicating that the nation had once again returned to Sylvaeri rule.

 

Mountains

Almenor was founded by Sylvaen in the mountainous regions of Malin’s kingdom. It is in these mountains where Sylvaen and the Almenodrim first came to befriend the Dwarves who mined precious gemstones far beneath the earth. These gems would come to be used in the master craftsmanship of Almenorean smiths, a tradition upheld to this day.

 

Waves

It would be remiss to not include waves in the sigil of Amathine. The Almenodrim are traditionally a seafaring people and the ocean retains a special place in the culture of the Almenodrim in the modern era. That is why the Almenodrim are sometimes referred to as Sea Elves.

 

Sylvaen and Aegnor

The two Elven figures depicted are Sylvaen Everflame and Aegnor Starfinder, father and son. Reflections of one another. Sylvaen founded the ancient realm of Almenor in Malin’s kingdom, while Aegnor was the namesake for Aegrothond in the modern era. Amathine is a direct successor state of the Principality of Aegrothond as well as being ruled by a scion of Sylvaen Everflame. House Sylvaeri are direct descendants of Sylvaen through the line of Aegnor, his firstborn son. 

 

Walnut 

The walnut-shell shape of the sigil represents the walnut, a symbol of wisdom and discernment. This pays respect to the Glade of Hileia as the bastion of Wood Elven knowledge and history, and to the Maehr’evar Order as the seekers of knowledge and pursuit of academia.

 

Spoiler

Sigil by Josey!

 

[lemonke 1873]

Ava will burn every tree and sigils in Amathine.