Liyue/Culture

The nation of Liyue is marked by its emphasis on "contracts," Morax's ideal. It is said that people from all seven nations of Teyvat flock to Liyue Harbor, the economic hub of the continent.
==Life in Liyue==
Many people in Liyue tend to live in small villages, such as Mingyun, Qingce and Qiaoying Village, though people are also known to reside in larger areas such as Liyue Harbor. The villages are mainly occupied by the young and old, as many able-bodied people tend to go to the city for employment. 
If a village's inhabitants are struggling to make ends meet, they will often abandon the area to look for better prospects, as shown with Mingyun Village and several other, abandoned settlements that can be found across the nation. The Liyue branch of Treasure Hoarders are fairly active compared to the other nations, with many usually prowling around less-traveled roads or operating inside The Chasm.
Many people revere the adepti, and some occasionally make pilgrimages to their adobes, high in the mountains of Jueyun Karst. 
===Agriculture===
Compared to Mondstadt's lush plains, Liyue's rocky and mountainous geography is less suited for agriculture. Nevertheless, places like Qingce Village have managed to build terraced rice fields, whose crops can then be taken to Liyue Harbor to be sold. Sunsettia trees can be found across Liyue.
Over 3,000 years ago, Guili Plains and its surrounding areas were bountiful and one of its rulers, Guizhong, led her people in making agriculture their livelihood. However, during the Archon War, the area was destroyed to such an extent that even in modern times, the land has never completely recovered. While some trees and grasses have managed to grow, the land is mostly uninhabited by humans.
===Architecture===
The architecture in Liyue is reminiscent of the style of , with similar color schemes and hints, such as the eaved rooftops of many of the buildings and the warm color palette.
In a study, furnishings must be placed in a specific location and angle. There are apparently three schools of thought and nine areas of specialization on this subject.
===Cuisine===
Liyue has two main culinary styles: the Li style, which focuses on bold, rich flavors using ingredients picked from the mountains, and the Yue style, which favors lighter-flavored seafood. The two styles have a long history in Liyue and have been locked in bitter rivalry for just as long; fans of one style often clash with fans of the other. In Liyue Harbor, Liuli Pavilion and Xinyue Kiosk are the most reputable restaurants of their respective styles, and are both located in the city's shopping district, Feiyun Slope.
Chihu Rock, which is the relatively poorer end of the city,Chongyun's Hangout Event Act I quest: For A Child's Smile has Chongyun and the Traveler seek out Dalong, a boy who lives in Chihu Rock; his family is poor and sometimes cannot afford to buy food. focuses more on street food but has some up-and-coming restaurants of their own, such as Wanmin Restaurant.
Tea is very popular among the people of Liyue; Qiaoying Village is renowned for its tea leaves, which can be served as drinks or made into tea cakes. Serving tea is also very complex, with every establishment having their own take, and the idea of serving tea via tea bags is completely foreign, though likely frowned upon.
During breakfast, dim sum is a popular choice of food, which consists of sweet or savory ready-made or made-to-order food. When served with tea, it is known as yum cha. 
===Education===
It appears that education in Liyue largely depends on the person's wealth and social standing. Ren'yu and Lan both come from the lower ranks of society; the former is incapable of interpreting simple drawings, while the latter states that she is illiterate and leaves all the business to Katheryne despite being the guild master. Tutors are implied to be in high demand for more affluent families; Xingqiu and his sibling(s) are particularly well-educated due to their family's wealth and position.
Apart from general education, some people join "clans" for martial arts training, one of the more known clans being the Guhua Clan.
===Medicine===
Thanks to Baizhu, an expert physician and maker of medicine who also has access to Changsheng's powers — though most people are unaware of this — medicine in Liyue is relatively comprehensive, with Bubu Pharmacy and Baizhu himself renowned even beyond Liyue.
Chenyu Vale also has its own medicine practices.
===Music===
The soundtracks for Liyue contains a lot of string instruments and percussions. The music usually has high, clear notes, and classical Chinese instruments like the erhu, guzheng and dizi are used.
===Technology===
Ancient technology constructed by gods and humans can be seen around Liyue, such as Guizhong Ballista and Dunyu Ruins.
===Sword Arts===
===Mystic Arts===
==Designs, Motifs, and Symbols==
The following designs, motifs, and symbols are typically seen within Liyue or on Liyue-related parties.
Liyue typically incorporates geometric designs into its architecture and design work. are a common decorative design, and diamonds are a common shape in various emblems found throughout Liyue.
===Character Cards===
The overall shape of Liyue Character Cards contains a large circle with a diamond inlaid in the center. Four paper lanterns are on either side of the diamond, with the Liyue Vision shape at top center with the character's element inlaid inside and two Ginkgo leaves on either side of it. The icons inside the paper lanterns vary based on the character's affiliations.
Adepti and adepti-related characters will have icons of Liyue's sacred beasts: a dragon at top left, a stag at top right, a qilin at bottom left, and a crane at bottom right. The characters who have this version are: Ganyu, Qiqi, Xianyun, Xiao, Yanfei, and Zhongli.
Characters who do not use the adepti's version will instead contain emblems representing the notable trade sectors of Liyue Harbor: The Mora triquetra at the top left as symbol of the Golden House's Mora mint, a Silk Flower at top right as symbol for the fabric trades such as the Feiyun Commerce Guild as well as for the herbal and pharmaceutical trades such as the Bubu Pharmacy, a ship representing Liyue Harbor's trade fleets and shipyards as well as The Crux at bottom left, and a sword (specifically Prototype Rancour) and polearm (either Black Tassel or White Tassel) crossed at bottom right as symbol of their smithies and forges such as the Blackcliff Forge.
Qiqi_Card.png|The adepti's version, as seen on Qiqi
Keqing_Card.png|The non-adepti version, as seen on Keqing
===Multi-Diamond===
The multi-diamond symbols are likely based on Chinese traditional motif "Fangsheng" (方胜纹).
Alongside the Geo symbol, which naturally represents the Geo Archon, the Geo Archon symbol (unofficial name) can be found in places associated with Morax. It is comprised of one central square diamond, with smaller square diamonds at each corner. This symbol can be found at Yuehai Pavilion, where the Yiyan Temple dedicated to Morax can be found, and on the back of Zhongli's clothing. The "polearm" icon also contains the Geo Archon symbol.
File:Zhongli back.PNG|The back of Zhongli's coat
File:Item Sundial of Enduring Jade.png|Partially shown on Sundial of Enduring Jade
Icon Polearm.png|The Geo Archon symbol on the polearm icon
File:Yiyang Temple Symbols.png|Symbol outside of Yiyan Temple
The triple diamond (unofficial name) is a design motif most prominently seen on the effects of the Liyue Series weapons, although it can also be seen on places such as Xinyan's sleeves. It is comprised of two smaller diamonds surrounding one large diamond, with another shape (typically another diamond) in the center of the large diamond.
Weapon Summit Shaper.png|Summit Shaper showing the triple diamond along its cross-guard
Character Xinyan Portrait.png
File:Lapis Dei Shape.png|Zhongli's constellation Lapis Dei. The spear (likely Vortex Vanquisher) showing the triple diamond
Note: The Mondstadt-based Millennial Movement Series weapons' effect has a similar symbol, but only has two diamonds instead of three.
===Cloud Motif===
A traditional stylised clouds decorative pattern called "" (祥云, Auspicious clouds).
Liuli Pavilion & Xinyue Kiosk signage.png
Liyue cloud relief.png
Mt. Aocang cloud-shaped stones.png
===Auspicious Symbols===
Design motifs below can be seen on stone bricks and inside certain instances in Liyue.
Wan symbol.png| (万字, Sauwastika/Ten thousand)
Lei symbol.png| (雷纹, Thunder)
Ruyi symbol.png|Ruyi (如意, As desired)
Xinyue Kiosk Shou symbol.png|（寿字, Longevity）
===The Scales===
Scales and balances are associated with Liyue. The most commonly seen usage is on Pressure Plates.
Emblem Liyue.png|Liyue emblem
Single Weight Pressure Plate.png|Liyue pressure plate
Special Pressure Plate.png|Chasm pressure plate
==Economy==
Liyue's economy is very reliant on its harbors. People from Snezhnaya like Ivanovich are traders in Liyue, and a fisherman mentioned that he used to import goods from Inazuma over to Liyue before the lockdown. Local Liyue specialties like Chilibrew and silk are known in other countries. The Dawn Winery sells their beverages to Liyue trading unions and individual merchants, who then resell them inside or to other nations. Liyue also exports cloth to Inazuma, primarily Ogura Textiles & Kimonos. Qiaoying Village is known for its high-quality tea, supplying both the local and foreign markets. Liyue Harbor handles commerce with Mondstadt, Inazuma, Sumeru and likely Snezhnaya, while Yilong Wharf mainly handles commerce with Fontaine.
While the Qixing, mostly the Yuheng, have helped keep the roads safer by cracking down on banditry, there is still a large demand for escorting goods. Some people have set up Local Security Agencies to help merchants transport and protect goods; because these agencies are independently operated, standardizing them has proven to be an issue for the Qixing. One of the more known and reputable security agencies is the Secure Transport Agency.
The country has several industries overseen by the Eight Trades, eight commerce sectors under the jurisdiction of the Liyue Qixing. Of the eight, only four are known; the Communications office, presumably specializing in judiciary matters, Huishan Hall, which presumably specializes in mining, Shenglu Hall, which specializes in glazed ceramics, and Yinyuan Hall, which specializes in salt.
Liyue also has a vast mining and smithing industry in place. Blackcliff Forge is where the Blackcliff and Prototype Series were made. In addition to creating weapons, the forge also doubles as a mine. When the ores in Mingyun Village were almost exhausted, the villagers abandoned the mine and moved west to seek better prospects. The Chasm is the most reputed mine in the nation, as many miners find employment there. Due to a series of unknown incidents, the Liyue Qixing had temporarily shut the mine down and initially worked with the Fatui to investigate, but after Childe's betrayal, they cut them off. Once the Traveler manages to find what appeared to be the main culprit, the Qixing has begun to let small groups of experienced miners back in.
The nation was also the sole minter of Mora due to Morax's Gnosis, some of which are kept in the nation, while the rest are sent to the other nations. However, he eventually gave up his Gnosis per an agreement with the Tsaritsa; in the process, he also forgot to find an alternative plan, resulting in no new Mora being circulated for the time being.
==Fashion==
The fashion in Liyue seems to take inspiration from Chinese fashion such as the cheongsam and the hanfu. It should be noted that clothing styles of Liyue are based on no particular dynasties, though they all are inspired by Chinese culture.
===Men's Fashion===
File:NPC Little Xing.png|Boys' attire(Little Xing)
NPC Herbalist Gui.png|Men's attire, version 1(Herbalist Gui)
NPC Bolai.png|Men's attire, version 2(Bolai)
File:NPC Changfeng.png|Men's attire, version 3(Changfeng)
NPC Smiley Yanxiao.png|Men's attire, version 4(Smiley Yanxiao)
NPC Liuliu.png|Men's attire, version 5(???)
NPC Xu.png|Men's attire, version 6(Xu)
NPC Degui.png|Elderly men's attire, version 1(Degui)
NPC Manager Xiao.png|Elderly men's attire, version 2(Manager Xiao)
Suling has a customized fifth version which forgoes the shirt underneath the vest and instead wraps his torso with bandages.
Some of the shirts that males wear in Liyue are based off the tangzhuang, as seen in the decorations on the front of the shirt.
===Women's Fashion===
NPC Changchang.png|Girls' attire(Changchang)
NPC Linlang.png|Women's attire, version 1(Linlang)
NPC Ms. Bai.png|Women's attire, version 2(Ms. Bai)
NPC Siyu.png|Women's attire, version 3(Siyu)
NPC Huixing.png|Women's attire, version 4 (Huixing)
NPC Shiliu.png|Women's attire, version 5(Shiliu)
File:NPC Aige.png|Women's attire, version 6(Aige)
NPC Madame Ping.png|Elderly women's attire(Madame Ping)
Girls in Liyue tend to wear short, knee length dresses that have a resemblance to the Chinese qipao. Women who lived in Liyue Harbor tend to wear long dresses with similar details to the qipao. Madame Ping's clothes seemed to be inspired by the hanfu, an ancient style of clothing. This could be a reference to Madame Ping's age.
===Millelith Uniform===
NPC Hongyu.png|Millelith soldier uniform(Hongyu)
NPC Zhenhai.png|Millelith officer uniform(Zhenhai)
===Waitress Uniform===
NPC Yueshu.png|Brown waitress attire(Yueshu)
NPC Licai.png|Red waitress attire(Licai)
===Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Uniform===
NPC Ferrylady.png|Female Wangsheng Funeral Parlor uniform (Ferrylady)
NPC Meng.png|Male Wangsheng Funeral Parlor uniform (Meng)
===Exorcist and Thaumaturge Attire===
Character Chongyun Game.png|Variation of exorcist attire(Chongyun)
Character Shenhe Game.png|Variation of exorcist attire(Shenhe)
Exorcists and thaumaturges have their own recognizable attire. Chongyun and Shenhe are both exorcists from the same clan, although the latter lives a life of seclusion in the mountains of Liyue. There are currently no NPCs wearing exorcist or thaumaturge attire.
==Festivals and Holidays==
===Lantern Rite Festival===
===Moonchase Festival===
===Rite of Descension===
The is an annual event that occurs in Liyue Harbor. The Liyue Qixing invite the Geo Archon, Morax, to the mortal realm to give his divine predictions for the upcoming year, which the Qixing use to determine Liyue's policies and business trends.
It is unknown how many predictions are typically made per year, but the year before the Traveler and Paimon visited Liyue, Morax gave 17 predictions.
Unlike Rite of Partings, which are used to commemorate deceased adepti, the Rite of Descension appears to be open to all people and is a popular tourist attraction. Liyue people who live abroad will also often make a pilgrimage home to witness the Rite of Descension. However, life in Liyue Harbor largely continues as normal otherwise, and most of the city's residents don't attend the event.
==Languages==
Several different languages are used simultaneously in Liyue. Alongside the common language, a local language that resembles Chinese can be found throughout Liyue, such as signs and even certain character skill animations. On a few occasions, in-game books have explained the significance of names derived from the "local language."
===Idioms===
Liyue is known for its idioms and sayings, a few of which have been brought up throughout the game. Because idioms tend to depend on cultural context, they are sometimes altered for the English localization to fit the spirit of the saying.
English Version 	Chinese Version 	Meaning
The walls have ears. 	 	Be careful of what you say, because people may be eavesdropping.
The insect that shakes the oak tree ludicrously overestimates its ability. 	 	—
The hunter by day is the hunted by night.Web Event Stone Harbor Treasure Journal Dialogue: Inventory 	 	Same meaning as the English idiom "The hunter becomes the hunted," signifying a reversal of roles.
What tossed to a dog is as good as eaten.Web Event Stone Harbor Treasure Journal Dialogue: Ingredients 	(In the web event, Tartaglia forgets "meat-filled baozi" and substitutes the phrase with .)	Figures of speech for something that will never return.
Don't always call it as you see it. 	 	Be tactful with your words; don't point out every little flaw just because you notice it.
Inspired by life but larger than life. 	 	—
You can't keep your shoes dry if you keep walking along the river. 	 	You will be affected by your environment.
Even the most meticulous can fall prey to happenstance. 	 	Even the most careful people can still make mistakes.
Food is life. 	 	—
You never truly know someone until you meet them in person. 	 	—
An object takes after its master. 	 	A person's belongings and pets often share characteristics with their owner.
Upright officials are hapless in household affairs. 	 	Family matters are difficult to understand for outsiders.
Achievement in a field is the result of how hard you are willing to work at it, not how much you enjoy it.	 	—
Only a mighty sword is worthy of a mighty hero. 	 	—
A real man doesn't accept handouts. 	 	—
Rare merchandise are sound investments. 	 	Rare goods can be hoarded to resell when prices go up.
Money belongs to the world outside your head. 	 	Money will come and go.
Outsiders see clearly. 	 	A bystander is always clear-minded.
Don't rush to eat hot tofu, or you'll burn your tongue. 	 	Don't be hasty.
Trying to drive a duck up a ramp. 	 	To push someone to do something beyond their ability.
We will meet again. 	 	—
Heroes are made young. 	 	Outstanding individuals are mostly found among the young.
Everything has a balance. 	 	Able to successfully strike a balance between two things.
A gift of charcoal amidst the snow. 	 	To help someone in need.
Grieving to the point of neither eating nor drinking. 	 	To lose one's appetite, typically out of anxiety or grief over losing someone important.
A withered tree lives again. 	 	The dying thing returns to life.
==Politics==
Liyue is governed by the Liyue Qixing, a group of seven powerful businesspeople who interpret and dictate the rules set forth by Rex Lapis. Each of one of these seven members works in their own division to strengthen the country; the Tianquan, Ningguang, focuses on the law, the Yuheng, Keqing focuses on land development, employment, construction and real estate, while the Tianshu, Uncle Tian, focuses on policymaking.
===Military===
The Qixing's military force is the Millelith, who also double as peacekeepers when Liyue is not in conflict. The Millelith have set up various outposts around commonly passed roads to protect travelers from monsters and bandits. Due to the large numbers of Treasure Hoarders in the nation, the Millelith also partake in undercover infiltration ops to weaken them from the inside. The Millelith maintain a heavy presence around Liyue Harbor, with smaller groups out in the countryside. A small force is also located in Yilong Wharf, consisting of elite troops; their headquarters is also inconspicuous, to blend with the locals.
Liyue is also protected by various adepti who signed a contract with Morax to defend the nation from malevolent forces. In the present day, there are seven known adepti who continue to do so; Xiao, Ganyu, Madame Ping, Yanfei's father, Cloud Retainer, Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper. Xiao plays a more active role in eliminating demons as the only remaining yaksha. Ganyu and Madame Ping reside in Liyue Harbor, the former assisting the Liyue Qixing while the latter spends her time in Yujing Terrace. Yanfei's father had left prior to the current events of the game on a journey with his wife. The latter three mostly remain in their abodes in Jueyun Karst. Sometime later, Cloud Retainer would move to Liyue Harbor under the alias of Xianyun.
After Morax stepped down as Archon, the adepti have allowed humans to govern and manage Liyue, but will intervene to defend the nation should they be incapable of doing so.
==Travel Highlights==
The Teyvat Travel Highlights are published by the Adventurers' Guild on the Genshin Impact official website.
===A Merchant's Memory of Liyue===
When I received the invitation from the Merchant and Adventurers' Guilds of Liyue to write a piece on Liyue Harbor, I hesitated for a long time before finally embracing the challenge. Sure, I have been running a caravan around Teyvat with my father for as long as I can remember. Those born and raised in Liyue aside, there is no one in Teyvat who knows every route in and out of Liyue as well as I. With that said, I've met my share of exceptional poets and writers on the road, and I would never consider myself a writer of their caliber. Therefore, I'm afraid I must apologize in advance for my lack of literary ability to write a real page-turner. So, please bear with me.
Even when I was young, Liyue Harbor, the greatest trading port in all of Teyvat, already meant wealth and prosperity to everyone in our caravan. I remember, back then, every time when the children heard the caravan was going to Liyue, they'd beg for a place in the caravan. Though it was a long time ago, the memory of the bustling streets, noisy crowds, and the wonders lying on the shop shelves are all still so vivid to me. I can still remember the mysterious and enticing scents calling out to me from the snack stalls.
When I came of age, I was entrusted with the family business. I then led the caravan between all the major cities across Teyvat. As the world opened up to me, Liyue also became a lot more to me than just the port I used to run around barefoot in as a kid.
From my understanding of Liyue Harbor's history, I can dare to make a bold conclusion on just how Liyue came to be so rich. Just as any other prosperous city in Teyvat, Liyue's prosperity came from its geographic advantages. Liyue is a harbor city surrounded by mountains on three sides. Beyond the mountains inland, there are vast foothills, plains, fords, and abundant mines full of precious ores. These ores are harvested and made into exquisite crafts at the hands of skilled craftsmen. The founding of the harbor and the establishment of the sea routes were instrumental in popularizing Liyue's commercial trade, as it was the export of crafts that laid the initial foundation for Liyue's financial development. Even now, Liyue's exquisite crafts are still prized by people across the continent.
After all these years, the sea routes leading into Liyue are now very well established. Trade vessel is the ideal travel method for anyone wanting to conduct business in Liyue. However, for common travelers and tourists, the land routes are recommended for a richer sightseeing experience as opposed to being on the great blue for prolonged periods of time.
Due to the complex terrain surrounding Liyue, the most common route there by land starts out from Mondstadt's Dawn Winery, then heads southwest. The route takes travelers through Mondstadt's signature landscapes. Enjoy some locally-grown fruit from Mondstadt on the way, and when the open plains are replaced by mountains and lakes, you'll be nearing Mondstadt's border.
Follow the edge of the lake west, and you will see two towering cliffs, serving as a natural boundary that separates Liyue and Mondstadt, with a narrow passage in between them paved with wooden planks. On the rare occasions that I pass through this way, I'm usually focused on getting through as quickly as possible. Though on one occasion I found myself traveling alongside an elderly fisherman. Along the way he covered a wide range of topics, from the identification of different species of river fish, to the ancient legends of Liyue. He said, the lakes in the gorge were blessed water bodies set by Rex Lapis and therefore stopping there may bring you closer to the Archons.
I used to laugh superstitious beliefs off, but my vivacious romanticist of a wife believed what he said. Ever since then, my caravan would rest here for a bit before continuing on, in the hopes of receiving blessings from the gods.
After passing through Stone Gate, the view opens up, revealing the classic outskirt views of Liyue: bodies of water reflecting the skies, and patches of green plants jut out from between shoals and fords. Far in the distance in Dihua Marsh is Wangshu Inn, which sits on top of a giant stone pillar, serving as a landmark for caravans passing through the region. Some foreign traders conduct their business with the local merchants right there, while others rest a bit and gather some trade info before continuing on to Liyue Harbor.
It would probably take a whole book for me to write down every little thing about my past experiences with Liyue from my youth to this day, so I'll stop right here. I don't really know how to conclude things, so I guess I'll just say this: I hope I am remembered by some that I've met out on the road.
P.S. Many thanks to the Merchant and Adventurers' Guilds for giving me a chance to relive my beautiful memories of Liyue. I'd also like to thank my wife, Claire, for her help in infusing some much-needed vitality into my otherwise dull and poor writing.
==Notes==
==References==
==Navigation==
fr:Liyue/Culture
ja:璃月/文化
pl:Liyue/Kultura
ru:Ли Юэ/Культура