A Luminoth Symbol is a three-dimensional text projected as a hologram. Luminoth Symbols use a system of connected dots and lines on a 3-D grid to represent various English letters. A single word forms one cluster of these letters. Each letter in a word is conjoined to the later and/or preceding letter(s) by a bright dot which represents an overlapping segment of two adjacent letters in the word. There is no known way to determine which "end" of the letter string comprising the word is the beginning or end, other than by recognition of the intended word's spelling.
Luminoth Symbols can be seen on Luminoth Lore Projectors in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and in Luminoth Lore entries in the Logbook. When U-Mos first updates Samus Aran's Translator Module, she is able to access various devices and Translator Doors with violet holograms. The holograms of deceased sentinels of various temples later provide her with access to the other color codes, amber, emerald and cobalt.
Development notes[]
According to Mike Wikan, Karl Deckard was responsible for the Luminoth Lore, and created their written language based on the position of the species' knuckles in 3D space.[1] Wikan said that the language is a non-verbal one, suggesting the symbols do not correspond to vocalizations made by U-Mos.[2]
Trivia[]
- Several plants and carvings (such as on elevators) can be found that superficially resemble the Luminoth Symbols. Markings resembling Luminoth symbols also appear on the Arm Cannon when any of the Luminoth beams are equipped.
- Randomizers contain what appear to be a question mark stylized into the Luminoth text form. The shape actually resembles the symbol of the Luminoth letter "N" on closer inspection.
- Metroid Metal's Varia Suite album is titled in the Luminoth alphabet.
- The word "Ing" in Luminoth translates to "terror".[3]
- In Metroid Prime: Episode of Aether, U-Mos' speech is in a fancier font than other text.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ^ Michael Wikan: "Karl Deckard was behind the deep Luminoth lore including the handsign written language based on the position of their knuckles in 3D space." September 26, 2020 4:11 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/shinesparkers/posts/5064736973552418?__tn__=-R
- ^ KIWI TALKZ - #105 - Mike Wikan Interview (Metroid Prime Trilogy, Game Design, Crunch, Booz Allen Hamilton etc.) September 6, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlbeRLmfCHk (starts at 14:00)
- ^ Luminoth Lore, "Dark Aether"
| Languages | |
|---|---|
| Alimbic | Chozo | English | Luminoth | Space Pirate | |