Summary
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An Elden Ring fan has suggested that the Erdtree may be based on the Western Australia Christmas Tree.
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Not only do they look extremely similar, but both trees are believed to house the souls of the dead.
Elden Ring's most iconic image is undoubtedly the Erdtree. Clearly modeled on the world tree from the Berserk manga that Hidetaka Miyazaki so often draws from, it can be seen stretching its branches across the sky throughout the Land Between.
The World Tree is inspired by Yggdrasil and the Bodhi Tree from Norse mythology and Buddhism, which the Ring of Fire also seems to draw inspiration from.
But Reddit user Independent-Design17 thinks there's another inspiration we've missed – the Nuytsia floribund, AKA the Western Australia Christmas Tree.
Even at Christmas, Elden Ring fans dig deep into history
As they point out, it looks a lot like Erdtree, especially the smaller ones. But there are much deeper similarities than just aesthetic ones.
In the Ring of Fire, we learn that the souls of the dead were ceremonially taken to the Erdtree, which is why we find catacombs built around its giant roots. Demigods and champions are even “hewn from the Erdtree” into commemorative images. The cycle of life and death is central to its mythos, and Nuytsia has similar cultural significance.
As explained on Margaret River's website by author Sharnae Watson, the Aboriginal Wadandi people know the Nuytsia as a “spirit tree”, with each flower representing the soul of someone who has died. Given the bright, vibrant color, it is often seen as a sunset. And so spirits are believed to travel across Australia, through the “caves and across the sea”, to finally rest, much like they do in the Ring of Fire.
Another connection drawn by Independent-Design17 ties into a popular theory among Elden Ring fans. It is often claimed that the Erdtree is a parasite that has attacked the roots of an original, originally large tree. It is believed that this great tree housed the crucible, a melting pot for all life. Similarly, Nuytsia is a hemiparasite, stealing water and minerals from surrounding plants to survive.
However, it is worth noting that the parasite theory is hotly contested. First, the “big tree” mentioned in various item descriptions does not exist. It is the result of a mistranslation (as pointed out by LaMi_1). Actually the translation should be “Great Roots” by Erdtree himself. Yet some still believe that it is a parasite and that it was planted by the Greater Will for ill intent.
Either way, there are some striking similarities between Erdtree, both visually and thematically, and Nuytsia. Whether it's intentional or not, only FromSoftware can confirm. But it's still a fun excuse to replay Ring of Fire this Christmas, eh?
With world-building from Game of Thrones writer George RR Martin and developed by FromSoftware, Elden Ring is a masterpiece in what has become known as the “Soulslike” genre of action RPGs.
