Decoding the Symbols of Rain World.

[Cecropia]

K, this is just a thread for anyone who wants to try and help decode the language of the previous civilization. What I have so far is pretty basic. Basically, I'm pretty sure that the fourth karma icon means food, but not any specific kind, as the icon for a predator show by the guide is the first karma icon under the fourth.

This leads me to speculate that the first karma icon might mean "animal". This would make sense, as the translation of the predator symbol might be "trying to eat animal". Also, the icon for The Hunter is the same as that for a predator, suggesting that it is likely that this idea is plausible.

The more likely possibility is that the first karma symbol means "violence". This would make sense just as much as the previous suggestion, but would also incorporate the fact that a mural found in five pebbles with the first karma icon on it shows a scene that appears to depict a violent moment. As well, most icons related to things with violence have the symbol on them.

It might also be possible that the third karma symbol means "bond" or "friendship". Since we see that A New Friend icon is the third karma icon between two parts of the Saint icon, we can assume that symbol for the friend may translate to something like "Pacifist/Peaceful third karma symbol". Also, in the chieftan achievement, the third karma symbol is also present, which may suggest that it is tied with bonding or having a positive relationship, which is what lead to my speculation. It is also present in The Friend icon, which has to do with taming lizards.

It also could be that the monk's icon does not directly translate to the monk, but rather to enlightenment, as it is present in the Stolen Enlightenment icon below the "food" icon. This would make sense, as it would translate to "Eaten enlightenment" which seems true to life.

Thats all i got so far.



Now for some theories about the language itself. It might be possible that there were two languages in this civilization, a holy one, like hebrew, and a popular one. I think that this may have been the case due to the lack of usage of the aforementioned symbols in the graffiti and artwork in the world of Rain World. However, it is not unlikely that it was known and spoken on occasion, as there are a few murals and graffitis that use the "holy" symbols.

I'm looking too far into this, aren't I?

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1owErvl-vKJuKbr5Bz7pnGwZbONjD7_8hkTSFvqWwxQg/edit#

^Awesome layout of symbol meanings that I did not make^

[The Moth]

Odd. In my head, I've always decoded it as a path to ascencion/true sentience. The first karma symbol, to me, looks a bit like a cell. It is also a circle. Y'know, cycles. It's self-explanatory from here. The second symbol also reminds me of either something being thrown [like a concept being thrown into the open, which would be a signal of growing knowledge], or the number two [second step?]. This interpretation goes on for a while, but unless you'd like me to, I won't go on about it. :P

[Cecropia]

Originally posted by Luna Tenebris-Flos:

Odd. In my head, I've always decoded it as a path to ascencion/true sentience. The first karma symbol, to me, looks a bit like a cell. It is also a circle. Y'know, cycles. It's self-explanatory from here. The second symbol also reminds me of either something being thrown [like a concept being thrown into the open, which would be a signal of growing knowledge], or the number two [second step?]. This interpretation goes on for a while, but unless you'd like me to, I won't go on about it. :P

Sounds plausible, maybe its both? Its possible it has an allusion to the slugcat's story as well as a logical basis.

[Dairadh]

Hello, you may find that useful :

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1owErvl-vKJuKbr5Bz7pnGwZbONjD7_8hkTSFvqWwxQg/edit#heading=h.aj0fnnmrt7j7

[Cecropia]

Originally posted by Dairadh:

Hello, you may find that useful :

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1owErvl-vKJuKbr5Bz7pnGwZbONjD7_8hkTSFvqWwxQg/edit#heading=h.aj0fnnmrt7j7

Oh wow, you guys have a lot of this figured out! Good to know I came to some similar conclusions.

[Dairadh]

The game has some very motivated players, which shows how good the game is. :)

[The Moth]

Originally posted by Dairadh:

The game has some very motivated players, which shows how good the game is. :)

Just wait until it gets really famous. :P

[dpredaking]

i think it needs to be mentioned, the symbol for "the survivor" passage, IT LITERALLY IS THE FIFTH KARMA SYMBOL, no tricks, no additions, NOTHING! btw if this was mentioned in that link i couldn't understand a LICK of that thing!

[dpredaking]

[dpredaking]

there is karma friend passage btw