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The Fire Emblem
Last revised: 9th October 2008
The Fire Emblem is what the
series is named after, but what exactly is it? It is an
important object that appears in most, but not all, games, and actually
differs between some games. The following are all the forms that is has
taken in the series:
Dark Dragon and Sword of Light
A shield belonging
to the Holy Kingdom of Akaneia. Nina, the Princess of Akaneia,
entrusted the Emblem to Marth in their battle against the Durhua Empire.
Gaiden
It does not feature. However the game's continent exists in the same
world as the previous game.
Mystery of the Emblem
The same object as in Dark
Dragon and Sword of Light. In Book 1, Marth can obtain the
Emblem physically as an item and, gameplay-wise, it enables him to open
treasure chests. In Book 2, Marth discovers that the Fire Emblem is actually part of the
Shield of Seals- an mystical item created by Divine Dragon
King to seal away the evil Earth Dragons. By combining the Fire Emblem with
the Earth, Star, Life, Light and Dark Orbs, Marth can restore the
Shield of
Seals to its original form, and it can repel the Earth Dragons summoned
by Mediuth.
Contrary to popular belief, the Fire
Emblem is not required to wield the divine Falchion sword.
There is no mention about it being required in the game's story, and
Anri (the original wielder), as well as Marth's father, Cornelius, were
able to wield the Falchion without it.
Genealogy of the Holy War
It does not physically feature. However it is briefly mentioned, in the
Epilogue, by the
successor of the Velthomer family as the family's crest (although it is
called Honoo no Monshou,
instead of its
usual Faiā Emuburemu). It is described as a
"mark of justice" and, after the crimes committed by the Velthomer, the
successor wishes it can be called that name again in the future.
Thracia 776
Like in Gaiden, it does not
feature. This time, the game's continent is the same as in the previous
game.
Sword of Seals
A gem, Bern's national treasure, that is kept in the Temple of Seals.
When King Zephiel started to invade the other nations of Elibe, his
sister Guinevere stole the Fire
Emblem from the Shrine of Seals in hope of stopping him. The Fire Emblem is the key to unlocking
the Sword of Seals, a powerful and spiritual sword, once used by
Hartmut of the Eight Legends, that can defeat even the most powerful of
dragons. Guinevere entrusts the Fire
Emblem to Roy, and he later obtains the Sword of Seals using it.
(Image from the
Hasha no Tsurugi
manga)
In the Hasha no Tsurugi
manga, a sidestory of sorts to Sword
of Seals' storyline, the Fire
Emblem also has a major role. During the first battle with
Zephiel, Al picks up the Fire Emblem
after Guinevere dropped it. The seal
on the Fire Emblem breaks and
its power transforms Al into a Dragon Lord.
Blazing Sword
The same object as in Sword of
Seals- once again a gem and Bern's national treasure. This time,
its primarily role is as a ceremonial object for the coming-of-age
ceremony of Bern's heir. However it is stolen from the palace vault by
the Black Fang. Without it the ceremony cannot begin and Prince Zephiel
cannot be recognised as the heir to the throne. Eliwood,
Hector and Lyn volunteer to recover the Fire Emblem for Zephiel's
mother, Queen Hellene,
in return for the location of Bern's Shrine of Seals.
The Sacred Stones
One of the Sacred Stones, belonging to the Grado Empire. Trapped within
it is the fiery soul of the Demon King of legends. Prince Lyon and his
mages researched the Fire
Emblem hoping to use its energies to aid people. After Emperor
Vigarde died, Lyon split the Fire
Emblem into two- one half the Sacred Stone and the other half
the Dark Stone, which contained the pure magic of the Fire Emblem. After the Dark Stone's
creation, Lyon destroys the Fire
Emblem. The Dark Stone then corrupted Lyon, which led to Grado
attacking the other Sacred Stone territories.
Path of Radiance
A bronze medallion, which once belonged to Lehran of the Heron
clan. It
is usually referred to as Lehran's medallion instead of the Fire Emblem. The medallion is said
to contain the trapped spirit of a chaotic and dark god, which causes
it to glow an azure colour. If a person, who doesn't have enough Order,
physically touches the medallion, they lose control of their
very selves and enter a berserked rage. The medallion
is hunted by Daein's King Ashnard, who wishes to awaken the dark god to
reshape the world to his likings.
Radiant Dawn
The same object as in Path of
Radiance. However it is discovered that the being sealed within
the medallion is Yune- the Goddess of Chaos and Ashera's other half.
Long ago the creator Goddess, Ashunera, discarded her emotions, which
manisfested into Yune, and became Ashera. After a conflict with Yune,
who was defeated by Ashera's Three Heroes, Yune agreed to be sealed
within a medallion held by the Heron, Lehran. After the
Serenes Massacre, Lehran, as Sephiran, passed the medallion to Lillia
and manipulated Ashnard into embroiling the continent into war.
Shadow Dragon
The same as in Book 1 of Mystery of
the Emblem; Marth obtains it physically as an item and it allows
him to open treasure chests.
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