Arcana Insignia

"The **insignia** doesn't mean a beneficiary made a deal with someone, it means you've achieved the highest form of virtue assigned to you." - The Hanged Man to Izaiah in *XIX: The Sun*

## DESCRIPTION

**The Arcana insignia** (also known as **the mark**, **the symbol**, or **the sign**), is a symbol seen and mentioned many times in the story of The Arcana. It's mentioned to be seen on the back of Kellan Xalvador's **right hand**, Xylon Lozano's **left chest**, Sapphire Chauvera's **forehead**, Izaiah Alnazar's **right neck**, Indirah Alnazar's **left cheek**, Lucio Damaris' **left arm**.

## CONCEPT

The first concept that the main characters thought was that the symbols appear whenever someone makes a pact with an Arcana, which is a theory that would then be debunked by the Hanged Man, when he explains to Izaiah Alnazar what it's actually supposed to be. The symbol only appears when someone achieves the highest form of virtue assigned to that person, though that person's *Patron Arcana* would be the one who will mark them.

**The Fool** is Kellan Xalvador himself- which means it was his decision to mark Lucio Damaris with the insignia because of the courage he possesses. After binding the Devil into his realm, Kellan technically makes Lucio his familiar by helping him cut his ties with the Devil.

## KNOWN VIRTUES

#### **KELLAN**

Upon learning how to harness his own magic, Kellan gets his virtue of **Transcendence** (gratitude, hope, humor, spirituality) by defeating the Devil and binding him into his own realm. At the same time, he's the one who marks Lucio with his own virtue, technically making him his familiar. The sign is on the **back of his left hand**, colored **jade**.

#### **XYLON**

With his fair outlooks for the future of Astraea and Belvoire, Xylon is gifted by Death the virtue of **Justice** (teamwork, fairness, leadership). He obtains this by giving Kellan a fair choice of living again when he died early from the plague. The **ivory-colored** sign is positioned over his **chest**.

#### **SAPPHIRE**

With Sapphire's intelligence and hard work of figuring out what the plague's cure is with her father, the Moon gives her **Wisdom** (creativity, curiosity, judgemental, perspective), and it's located in the **middle** of her forehead. Her sign is **gold** in color.

#### **IZAIAH**

Izaiah gets his **olive** sign from the Hanged Man by sacrificing himself for his sister, and forgiving her for what she's done for the past 11 years. His virtue is **Moderation** (forgiveness, modesty, prudence, self-control), with his sign located on his **neck**.

#### **INDIRAH**

The Magician gives Indirah the **amaranth** sign on her **cheek** as a symbol of her virtue **Humanity** (love, kindness, social intelligence), saving everyone from chaos, all the while staying positive and giving her loved ones second chances.

#### **LUCIO**

For his virtue **Courage** (bravery, zest, persistence, honesty) for facing the Devil and being honest with his intentions, Kellan gifts Lucio a **turquoise-colored** sign on his **left arm**.

## TRIVI**Λ**S

* The symbols' colors vary with each person as it follows on the colors of their birthstones (diamond for Xylon, topaz for Sapphire, peridot for Izaiah, ruby for Indirah, and turquoise for Lucio). This would mean that if other people achieved their highest form of virtue, they'd have the same color of symbol as the mains if they share birth months.
	+ Following this information, Kellan's symbol color is jade or mint in the concept. The only other birthstones that has this color is either an emerald- which would either make Kellan's birthday on May- or opal, October's birthstone.
* Depending on what the other characters are wearing, Xylon has the symbol that's technically not seen by the naked eye without effort. Lucio's isn't seen when he has sleeves, and Izaiah always wear a scarf or some article of clothing wrapped around his neck, where his insignia is placed.