Mysterious Signs in arcadia

[br_yocum]

here are the signs i was talking about yesterday, somebody was nice enough to get a screenshot for those who were asking these are the ones everybody is wondering whether or not they have any significance



http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/2889/bioshocksigns1lm2.jpg

[Davehoekst]

I went to my friend the Astrologer and she says they are nothing more than randomly placed astrological signs. They have no meaning. The "69" is the sign for Cancer the Crab it symbolizes his claws.

[FtRapture]

Yeah in a town called boring land..

Really you had to go to a Astrologer friend to as about that :\ seems like they are in almost every magazine and newspaper I was just laughing because Cancer is usually Horizontal takes on a new meaning when you start to turn it vertical.

I am sure there is an easy link for this somewhere.

Oh here

http://greeting.view-card.com/astrology-horoscope/image/astro_signs.gif

[br_yocum]

yea, i didnt mean the question to be : is there anyway to deceipher them, i just meant is there anything you can do with/to them,

[Davehoekst]

Here's another little bit:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/04/The-astrological-glyphs.jpg

[501105]

It could just be nonsense ofcourse I mean they were a crazy cult

[br_yocum]

its a good possibility, or maybe it'l have some significance in the sequel/prequel, duno, jus seems odd they would go to that much extra work for just scenery y'know...

[esipode]

There are quite a few threads about this.And in one of them,we have found out what they mean.It is roman (or Greek,can't remember) letters that the cult uses.They have no significance to the game however.I do not know what the symbols mean though.

[BioShock Freak]

Here's another little bit:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/04/The-astrological-glyphs.jpg

These actually are exactly like the ones on the walls. Maybe they're just astrological symbols with no significance. They look really cool though, the way they glow and all.
~Mari.

[B10SH0CK1123]

The signs have something to do with that clan that the Houdini Splicers are in. I don't think that they have any significance though. (Maybe to the clan :D but not to us.)

[Cyber999]

Here's another little bit:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/04/The-astrological-glyphs.jpg

lol i doubt they have anything to do with astronomic alchemy symbols XD (i'm serious, they're the symbols for the planets in alchemy, go wiki it or something if u don't believe me)

anyway, they probably have some sort of meaning to them, noting how you can find them just about everywhere in arcadia. the most likely source would be the saturnine cult splicers.

[Jodalmighty]

Seems kinda lame when you realize that they have no real meaning as far as the game goes. I liked the touch tho.

[Cyber999]

lol i doubt they have anything to do with astronomic alchemy symbols XD (i'm serious, they're the symbols for the planets in alchemy, go wiki it or something if u don't believe me)

anyway, they probably have some sort of meaning to them, noting how you can find them just about everywhere in arcadia. the most likely source would be the saturnine cult splicers.

Now that I've looked at the symbols a little longer, I guess I was wrong. I recognize quite a few of those symbols as alchemical symbols for planets and substances.

[Atlas-Puppet]

Yeah. It's an interesting idea for the game. It keeps you guessing. Maybe they were something to do with Space. Star signs, planets etc., it all connects to space.

[Archon]

I remember when I first played it I wondered what they are they might be the symbols of the cult maybe they dealt with stars or stuff

[Archon]

Houdini splicers could travel through space and time maybe that is why they are there

[Cyber999]

*WARNING* I'm going to sound like a complete obsessive over alchemy in this post. This is a warning to all you people who dislike people with too much time on their hands >_<.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

As I corrected myself earlier, these are all alchemy related symbols. Symbols for planets and substances such as fire, water, gold, etc. (I've also recognized some zodiac symbols).

I didn't believe the person who originally posted a picture showing all alchemical symbols for planets until I played through the game again. I had some time to study these symbols (because I have so much time on my hands). I'm very sure these are all alchemy symbols (I know a good amount of alchemy related things). Another thing: the zodiac symbols I mentioned earlier also represent the 12 core Alchemical Processes, such as Decomposition through Calcination (Aries), Separation through Sublimination (Libra), Union through Projection (Pisces), etc.

2K did their research, definitely, but they made one small mistake int the planetary alchemy symbols. The symbols for the last 3 planets, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto (technically not a planet now, according to scientists), are not alchemy based symbols since they were not discovered until alchemy was replaced by chemistry, making the symbols for the last 3 planets chemistry symbols (I'm sure nobody really cares, oh well).

I'm glad I got that out of my system >_<

[fghtffyrpls]

Wow, that was quite an impressive post.

I'm almost positive has to have do with the Houdini Splicers (I'm sure that's probably been confirmed.). One, because it in the caves the cult gathered in. Two, if you notice wherever they were present you can see the same kind of gold substance on the ground, walls, etc. that the symbols were written in.

[Sullivan's Deputy]

The Saturnine are the only possible answer to the symbols. They're hardly art deco motifs.

When I first saw them I recognised a lot of the symbols due to a vague interest in astrology I had as a kid. I was smugly identifying most of them right up to the point where I was suddenly in a vita chamber. A splicer had sneaked up behind me and caught me unaware. The amount of times I've died because I was distracted by the detail in Bioshock is uncountable.

[Dianne McClintock]

These are the sort of things which make Bioshock so special. I do wish the Saturnine had more relevance to the Rapture plot specifically, but they accentuate the sort of organized disorder that was going on during the uprising. I think it gave it a more believable feel to Rapture as a true, multi-dimensional city.

As for the astrological symbols...maybe they are just meant to relay that they were a mystical, tribal group. Maybe the Saturnine made predictions about what would happen in Rapture.

[BioShock Freak]

The Saturnine are the only possible answer to the symbols. They're hardly art deco motifs.

When I first saw them I recognised a lot of the symbols due to a vague interest in astrology I had as a kid. I was smugly identifying most of them right up to the point where I was suddenly in a vita chamber. A splicer had sneaked up behind me and caught me unaware. The amount of times I've died because I was distracted by the detail in Bioshock is uncountable.

Heh. I've died many times too. Sometimes you forget all about the rest of the world because you're so into the smallest detail. Lol.


As for the astrological symbols...maybe they are just meant to relay that they were a mystical, tribal group. Maybe the Saturnine made predictions about what would happen in Rapture.

Would be interesting to find out that the Saturnine somehow predicted some of the events in Rapture.
~Mari.

[TheSploicers'reCommen]

Isn't it just the symbols of the Saturnine?

"Harness the flame! Harness the mist!"

[Deer Man 420]

Here's another little bit:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/04/The-astrological-glyphs.jpg

Thats amazing and funny thanks for this picture

[Dianne McClintock]

Would be interesting to find out that the Saturnine somehow predicted some of the events in Rapture.
~Mari.

Oohhh that would be interesting to find out. =)

[Sullivan's Deputy]

Hmm... Atlas held up the heavens in Greek Mythology. Perhaps the designers made a connection with that and the astrological symbols. There are astrological symbols on display hanging from the ceiling of the foyer of Point Prometheus as well.

[collective10]

still though, makes you wonder, if these symbols had no meaning, why are they there in the first place?

[Cyber999]

HOORAY POST #100 FOR ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D

Anyway, I've got a little more information to add onto this subject:

Since I've clarified that these symbols are all used in alchemy in a previous post in this thread (my sources are listed at the bottom), I've been thinking about this a little more. The Saturnine, as you may have heard in various audio diaries and dialogues, are considered "pagans" (as heard in Langford's "What Won't They Steal?" diary). This is a cause or result of the fact that they were writing alchemy symbols everywhere. Since modern chemistry had been established a while ago, alchemy (and the alchemists who practiced it) were soon considered obsolete (since modern chemistry had proved you really can't transmutate any material into gold). At that point, since alchemy was not used anymore, it was seen as unreal and against nature. That's probably why they were considered "pagans". What surprises me is that Langford actually did call them pagans, even though the word "pagan" is usually a term relating to religious bias. The ironic thing here is that religion was supposed to be abolished from Rapture, yet Langford used the term anyway. I may be looking a little too deep into this, but its an interesting thing to catch.

Thanks for your time, here are my sources from the other post:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alchemical_symbol
http://www.iridius.info/current/info/

OMFG SWEET EDIT:
On the Wikipedia page I posted, near the bottom you will see "Meaning of Alchemic Roses". If you read the one for a red rose you will see this:
"Red Roses: passion, love; vitality, feeling of being alive; masculine or active energy; creative projects; workshops"
Vitality? Feeling of being alive? Creative projects? LANGFORD USED THE ROSA GALAGA WHICH IS A RED ROSE TO BRING BACK ARCADIA!!! IT WAS A PROJECT SHE HAD BEEN WORKING ON TO BRING VITALITY AND LIFE TO PLANTS!!!

I AM OWNING THIS THREAD!!!!!!!!

Anyway, continue with the discussion, no need to be shy.

[Jsbl]

err...

How did they observe stars in Rapture???

[Sullivan's Deputy]

err...

How did they observe stars in Rapture??? Excellent question. Let us consider this...

[blake2t2]

in Arcadia you see symbols all over the place glowing a greenish yellow---more yellow...anyway---i recognize some of the symbols---the 69 for cancer and a few others---but are they there for a reason?

[Blue Lightning]

There are some tapes around there that give some insight...I think its some kind of cult or coven....

[blake2t2]

can you tell me where to find toes tapes? cause ive found some with a cult mentioned in it---but nothing really to signify what the symbols say--or are for....

[Asherah]

You'll find the audio diaries around Langford's office and another one in the entrance of a cave in Rolling Hills. The symbols are never really explained, there just things the cult called the Saturnine drew around Arcadia really just for the heck of it.

[FtRapture]

They are all astrology symbols

http://www.yourastrologyfree.info/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/zodiac-signs.gif

Here is the original thread.

http://forums.2kgames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17294

[blake2t2]

sorry about the new thread with the same question----anyway i can delete this one?

[Cohen's Masterpiece]

they were made by the Saturnine, i'm assuming.

[GeneTraitor]

These freaks think that their powers come from astrology, not from splicing, and they worship their god in the caves. They all wear wicker masks. The first Houdini splicer in the Tea Garden tries to bait you with his mask on the table -- if you touch it he pops up behind you. Dr. Langford explains them in the tapes in Rolling Hills.

[blake2t2]

oh so thats why everytime i smash it with a wrench hes right behind me :D

[vitiis]

I just figured the astrological signs were made by The Saturnine. Just like Bibles were banned, I'm assuming that all things relating to astrology & spiritual elements were also banned. Perhaps a form of Graffiti and rebellion?

I mean, they drank blood and in one of the tape recordings, it says they "...believe they are touched by the ancient gods". Reminds me of the Egyptians (minus the blood drinking).

Whatever the case, they looks pretty and fit in with Arcadia well.

[Blue Lightning]

Yet another very interesting angle in Bioshock. The little details like that...coming up with an area where a cult hung out. Thats what makes this game what it is...details.

These freaks think that their powers come from astrology, not from splicing, and they worship their god in the caves. They all wear wicker masks. The first Houdini splicer in the Tea Garden tries to bait you with his mask on the table -- if you touch it he pops up behind you. Dr. Langford explains them in the tapes in Rolling Hills.

So those splicers think they got their Houdini powers from "astrology?" LOL I love it! Great side story in this game :D

[Blue Lightning]

There are some tapes around there that give some insight...I think its some kind of cult or coven....

EDIT: This post was on a new thread that was just merged with this thread :o

[BioCraft]

i think the 69 is the sign for cancer the crab because if u 69 too much u may get crabs...:mad: :mad: :mad:

[GeneTraitor]

I looked up the text of Langford's diaries. She says the Saturnine believe their powers come from "ancient gods" and calls them "pagans."

Further research reveals that in astrology, a saturnine is a person influenced by the planet Saturn. In ancient Rome, Saturnalia was a holday that celebrated the god Saturn.

So BioShock is not just a fun game, it's also educational:D

[Blue Lightning]

Very educational :D

Is Arcadia the only place these mysterious Saturnine worshipers are found?