Origins and Explanations of Artifact Names

What's the purpose of this file? Many of the names of weapons,

armor, and items in Final Fantasy III have a mythological grounding.

Unfortunately, the origin of these names can often be very obscure, and

the player doesn't get the full meaning of the names.

This file will help you, the reader, to get the most out of

Final Fantasy III. Maybe you'll learn something about mythology, too.

Enjoy!

Please e-mail vestal@computek.net with any updates or

corrections you may have. Thanks!

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Artifact Name: Aegis Shield Origin: Greek Mythology

The Aegis was the breastplate of Zeus, and, later, Athena. The

word "aegis" means "protection".

Artifact Name: Ashura Origin: Assyrian Legends

Originally spelled "Ashur". Ashur was the chief god of war and

empire. He was always spoiling for a fight, was very mischevious, and was

constantly getting in trouble with the other gods.

Artifact Name: Atma Weapon Origin: Hindu Legends

"Atman" is the Hindu word for the soul or eternal essence. Since

the strength of the weapon is determined by your vitality, or essence,

the name makes sense.

Artifact Name: Cherub Down Origin: The Bible

A cherub is a winged celestial being in the second order of

angels. Cherub Down, which makes you float, would be feathers from a

cherub's wings.

Artifact Name: Coronet Origin: Etymological

A small crown worn by princes and princesses.

Artifact Name: Czarina Origin: Etymological

The wife of a czar, or emperor of Russia.

Artifact Name: DaVinci Brush Origin: Historical

Leonardo Da Vinci was a famous painter of the Italian Renaissance.

Some of his famous works include the "Mona Lisa" and "The Last Supper".

Artifact Name: Ether Origin: Historical

In ancient and medieval times, everything in the heavens was

believed to reside and be formed of a substance called "ether". Ether

falling to the earth was given as an explanation for dew droplets forming

in the morning.

Artifact Name: Epee Origin: Weaponry

A fencing sword with a bowl-shaped guard and a narrow, fluted

blade that tapers to a blunt point.

Artifact Name: Excalibur Origin: Medieval Legends

A mythical sword from the Arthurian legends. The sword was given

to King Arthur from the Lady of the Lake, and returned to her upon his

death.

Artifact Name: Fenix Down Origin: Egyptian Mythology

"Fenix" is an alternative spelling of "Phoenix". The phoenix

would consume itself in flames every 500 years and then be reborn from the

ashes.

Artifact Name: Genji Origin: Japanese Literature

_The_Tale_of_Genji_ is a novel written by Murasaki Shikibu, a

lady-in-waiting to a Japanese empress, during the 1000's. The novel is

complex and difficult to follow, but is generally considered the finest

work of Japanese fiction. It was the first written work in novel form in

Japanese history.

Artifact Name: Halberd Origin: Weaponry

A weapon with an axelike blade and steel spike on the end of a

long shaft.

Artifact Name: Illumina Origin: Etymological

The name means "The Brightener" or "The Illuminater".

Artifact Name: Kotetsu Origin: Weaponry

A Japanese sword that is shorter than a Katana but is longer than

a Wakizashi. Its shorter length gives it more defensive abilities than

the Katana. It is sometimes called Naga-Wakizashi, which means "long

Wakizashi".

Artifact Name: Minerva Origin: Roman Mythology

The Roman name for Athena, the Greek goddess of war and wisdom.

Artifact Name: Mithril Origin: Tolkein

A metal of legendary strength. The name comes from J.R.R.

Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Artifact Name: Murasame Origin: Weaponry

Literally, "rain that falls in town units", or in other words,

short rain. This sword is not to be confused with the Masamune.

Artifact Name: Partisan Origin: Weaponry

A weapon having a blade with lateral projections on the end of a

long shaft.

Artifact Name: Ragnarok Origin: Norse Mythology

Ragnarok is the Norse apocalypse. On Ragnarok, the day of

reckoning, every god meets his final destiny. The story tells of a long

winter, the death of most of mankind, and of a final battle in which

nearly every god is killed. A new world, our world, arises from the ruins

of the old.

Artifact Name: Strato Origin: Etymological

A strata is a layer of the Earth. Also, Strato was Brutus' aide in

Shakespeare's _Julius_Caesar_. Strato holds the blade as Brutus

impales himself, committing suicide.

Artifact Name: Tao Robe Origin: Eastern Philosophy

Taoism is an Eastern philosophy based on the teachings of Lao-Tzu

in the 6th century B.C.

Artifact Name: Tempest Origin: Etymological

A storm or gale of fantastic proportions. The Tempest knife

occasionally casts "Wind Slash".

Artifact Name: Tincture: Origin: Etymological

A small quantity of medicine diluted in alcohol.

Artifact Name: Tintinabar Origin: Etymological

A tintinnabulum is a small, jingly bell. Originally, this item

was called "the bell of a cat".

Artifact Name: Trident Origin: Greek Mythology

A large three-pronged fork wielded by the sea god Poseidon.

Artifact Name: Zephyr Cape Origin: Greek Mythology

Zephyr was the gentle West Wind. The word "zephyr" can also mean

a gentle wind or breeze.

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Last Update: 4.27.97