#fantasy holidays

[cloudyswritings]

Holidays of Hallownest

So I just saw an absolutely gorgeous art piece by @mebis-art-dump which in addition to be being completely fantastic(please check them out) also asked about what holidays Hallownest would practice. It really got me thinking.

Wyrmalia: Basically just a Saturnalia expy name wise but actually is pretty far diverged in practice. This is a holiday celebrating the death and the Wyrm and the rebirth of the king. During this holiday bugs swap out their masks for different ones and hold a small funeral for the previous owner of the mask they’re wearing. Generally the masks worn are those which belonged to dead family members. It’s thought by wearing their masks it gives them some semblance of life for a single day. During this time the mask wearer takes on the identity of their mask in full. It’s a celebration of past lives and accomplishments while also being a way to symbolically lay ghosts to rest.

The Festival of Lights: A celebration of the bright gods and higher beings of Hallownest. Pale lanterns are released into the city of tears to drift until the festival ends. Generally the festival lasts the equivalent of a week in our time. The King and Queen would generally make an appearance in the city and from there go on tour throughout Hallownest during this festival. It’s customary to burn small offerings to whatever higher being you follow in addition to the traditional sacrifices given to the king(generally some sort of live non sentient bug-some bugs believed a more vicious sacrifice like aspids or in rare circumstances garapedes would gain the kings favor.). During the festival most bugs would swap out their cloaks and clothing for brighter colors, and the upper class would generally wear pale cloaks.

Rootsday: A day celebrating the bountiful harvest the White Ladys boon provides. This is effectively thanksgiving and the feasts would generally last the entire day, with preparations being done in the weeks leading up to it. Unn actually benefits from some of the worship from this holiday as well. She was worshiped by many of the farmers of Hallownest in addition to the pale lights. Stuffed gruzzers and boiled gulka are staple foods of this holiday.

Dawnsday: Nearly completely erased by the Pale king in his effort to kill the radiance only a few faithful moths even remember this holiday. Those who do make a pilgrimage to the crown of Hallownest at dawn(or dusk) to worship at the last shrine to the old light. It’s said this holiday was originally a day where dreams and reality mixed and one’s wildest fantasies could come true, now it’s merely a way to keep the Radiance alive.

The Day of Sealing/Day of mourning: This holiday only came to exist after Hollow was sealed. All bugs in the kingdom wore black or pale white cloaks and went about the entirety of their day in silence. Not many bugs really knew what the holiday was for beyond paying their respects to the Hollow Knight and dreamers who had saved them from the infection. Silent prayer sessions for the Dreamers and Knight were held at the black egg temple. This holiday actually served as a supplemental means of strengthening the seals and prevent the dreamers from dying, the residual power of these prayers is what elevated Hollow to godhood and allowed the dreamers to persist past the fall of Hallownest. This holiday largely ceased to exist once the infection returned.

Deepnest has its own holidays too, but I think I’ll probably make a separate post for them and for greenpath and maybe dirtmouth.

Happy holidays y’all!!

[monstersovka]

🍊✨

[unravelingwires]

Conversing

Jaya looked up. “Laurena.”

“Vijaya.” Laurena sat down and took out two glasses, filling both with posset and sprinkling nutmeg on them. When Jaya didn’t move, her eyebrows raised, Laurena sighed, “It’s Christmas Eve.”

“I’ve always associated you with sentiment.”

“I can take one day off.” From what, Laurena didn’t specify.

“It just seems a little arbitrary to choose today.”

“Just because you have no respect for the holy days—” Laurena cut herself off. “Never mind.”

Before she could leave, Jaya plucked a glass off the table. “Is this alcoholic?”

"Really?"

"I'll take that as a yes." Jaya took a sip. "Is Astra at home?"

“She didn’t want to bother finding transportation tomorrow. I told her we could just fly in with you, but she doesn’t want to get up at 3 am. I’m honestly surprised your mother is letting you stay at Perses this long.”

“Max talked to her for me.” In hindsight, he probably pointed out if Jaya and Laurena were alone together they could bond. Jaya considered her glass for a moment before downing it. 

Laurena looked somewhere between amused and irritated. “He always was persuasive.”

“Please. Did I tell you about the time he tried to override the student government?”

“He tried to what?”

“Alright, so about two years ago—”

[hybbart]

Ranchers are the people who win second place at the costume contest cause Tango came up with a theme and forgot to have any chill

[ramonapest]

Pressure is, it's kind of my thing

@d20exchange gift for @doodlididi!

[bongbingbang]

What did you bring me, Santa?

Your deepest desire. You deserve it. You've been so good all year long.

[dunderella]

maid day outlaws!

[the-elisakou]

Final Fantasy style Deltarune chapter 2 logo! :D

[valoniaart]

Galactic Spyro

[itsmeishmi]

Happy Holidays, Merry Xmas, and Happy Starlight from the Chais!!

[kafkasapartment]

Chauds Les Marrons, 1979. Michel Delacroix. Lithograph.

[tenderdevils]

Happy holidays! 🥳🎄🎈🍺

Here’s a cranky Vincent for your viewing pleasure. ❤️‍🔥

[starlessskyline]

WoL, in MSQ 90-95: What a wonderful holiday this has been! Also been free from cataclysmic world ending scenarios! livin tha life 😎 waiter may I have your finest tacos please?

WoL in 99 MSQ: ....yep there it is

[hybbart]

There was a miscommunication when coordinating their costumes

[destiny-islanders]

saint of nymeia's (worst) little helper

[bongbingbang]