Symbols in the Kingdom Hearts series: Difference between revisions

The Heartless symbol is used, as its name suggests, to represent the [[Heartless]], specifically Emblem Heartless. The standard Heartless emblem is displayed on every single Emblem Heartless, as well as [[Ansem, Seeker of Darkness]]'s chest and certain weapons related to Heartless, such as the [[Akashic Record]] and [[Precious Mushroom]]. In the [[End of the World]], the doorway leading to the Final Rest area is shaped like the Heartless emblem. The Heartless emblem without the barbed "X" is commonly associated with Riku. When using [[Dark Mode]], Riku wears the symbol on his chest, and the aforementioned lack of a thorny cross symbolizes the fact he hasn't completely lost his heart to the darkness.<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts Ultimania]]''''', '''Tetsuya Nomura:''' "... and how the Heartless emblem on [Riku's] chest is missing the thorny cross because Riku's heart has not yet completely fallen to darkness." [https://www.khinsider.com/news/A-Look-Back-KINGDOM-HEARTS-Ultimania-Gallery-Comments-Part-1-15519 Translation via goldpanner].</ref> In ''[[Kingdom Hearts III]]'', the Station of Awakening for the facsimile of [[Olympus]] in the [[The Final World]] features the same symbol around the circumference of its design, as it is where Sora finds Riku's heart and rescues it from the [[Lich]].  Riku's [[Alba & Ater]] game piece features this symbol on the top as well. It is also the [[Keychain]] token of his main Keyblade, [[Way to the Dawn]]. In its appearances in ''Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance'' and onwards, the token's design integrates elements of the recurring heart symbol, curling the tips of the Heartless emblem's red outline inward at the top. The Keychain token of the [[χ-blade]] is a black and red heart resembling the Heartless emblem, but with two [[Kingdom Key]]s crossed over it in place of the normal red design. In the [[World of Chaos]] fight, the arena is shaped like a blue Heartless insignia.

Due to his nature within [[Sora]]'s dreams as a Dream Eater, Riku has a black-colored version of the Spirit emblem on the back of his vest during most of ''[[Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance]]''.

Crowns are another heavily featured symbol of the series and are part of the ''Kingdom Hearts'' logo along with the curled heart symbol. Sora notably wears a silver crown necklace in most of his forms and can, in fact, wear a [[crown]] in ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix''. [[Puzzle]] pieces, [[Crown Sticker]]s and [[Mission Crowns]] are represented by golden crowns. Limit Form and, in Halloween Town, [[Final Form]], is represented by crowns. The tops of the cards used in [[Castle Oblivion]] are shaped like the standard crown, and are featured on the front of some cards. The [[Crown-G]], the Keychain token of the [[Oblivion]], accessories such as the [[Draw Ring]], the [[Save the King]] shield, and the [[Ultima Weapon]] all incorporate crowns into their designs. Both the [[Royal Radiance]] and the [[Unbound]] have a gold crown with a gold circle on each of its points as the tokens of their Keychains. Every one of Sora's Dive to the Heart Stations feature crowns. A large, glowing crown appears underneath Sora when he unlocks a World [[Gate]]. Sora's [[Alba & Ater]] game piece features a crown on the top.

The most widely used crown symbol in the series is a flat, three-pronged crown that appears in a wide variety of colors, most commonly gold and silver. The shape of the crowns prongs creates a negative space silhouette of the [[Kingdom Key]]'s teeth. Strategy guides for the series occasionally use a yellow symbol that could be a crown viewed from above. This symbol is a ring with spikes along its outer edge and an "X" in its center, and is used to represent characters and enemies that cannot be classified as Heartless, Nobodies, Unversed or Dream Eaters.

Every world has a [[Keyhole]] that leads to its heart and can be locked by the Keyblade. Locking all of the Keyholes is Sora's primary objective in the original ''Kingdom Hearts''. In ''Kingdom Hearts II'', Sora seeks out and unlocks [[Gate]]s, which are represented by large, glowing keyholes. The complete χ-blade is capable of summoning countless keyhole-shaped gates to anywhere in the realms. When the incomplete χ-blade is destroyed, it releases beams of energy which radiate keyhole-shaped symbols.

An artifact called the [[Star Shard]] allowed for transportation from one World to another, albeit randomly. Several accessories and Keyblades incorporate stars into their designs, such as the [[Star Seeker]]. [[Paopu fruit]] are star-shaped fruit which supposedly create bonds between friends that can span many different Worlds. [[Wayfinder]]s, lucky charms modeled after paopu fruit, have a similar reputation. In ''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories'', as part of [[Marluxia]]'s plot to brainwash Sora, [[Naminé]] changes the appearance of [[Kairi]]'s Wayfinder to that of a simple star charm. The Wayfinders made by Aqua in ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep'' manifest these bonds of friendship physically, in the form of the [[Dimension Link]] system. Paopu fruit and Wayfinders are featured in the designs of several important Keyblades, including the Ultima Weapon and [[Oathkeeper]]. A star is the Keychain token of the [[Wishing Star]]. [[Yen Sid]]'s powerful sorcerer's hat is adorned with several stars and moons. In [[The Final World]], those who linger there are represented by floating points of light arranged to form the shape of a star. Kairi's [[Alba & Ater]] game piece features a star on the top.

The silhouette of Mickey Mouse's head is frequently used to represent not only Mickey himself, but Disney as a whole. [[Disney Town]] and [[Disney Castle]] feature the symbol heavily, and three of the many craters in the [[Keyblade Graveyard]] form the silhouette as well. The symbol is also incorporated into the [[Trinity Limit]] circle, [[Gimmick Card]]s, and certain weapons such as the [[Dream Sword]]. It serves as the Keychain token for the [[Kingdom Key]], [[Kingdom Key D]], [[Victory Line]], [[Braveheart]], and the [[Star Cluster]] Keyblades. King Mickey uses the symbol to seal all of his official letters.<!--Goofy: Gawrsh, that's the king's seal!--> In the Sleeping Worlds, [[La Cite Des Cloches]], [[The Grid]] and [[Prankster's Paradise]] are arranged to make up a Hidden Mickey. In ''Kingdom Hearts III'', the Station of Awakening for the facsimile of the [[Kingdom of Corona]] in the The Final World features the silhouette around the circumference of its design, as it is where Sora finds Mickey's heart and rescues it from the [[Lich]]. Mickey's [[Alba & Ater]] game piece features a Mickey head on the top.

In ''[[Kingdom Hearts III]]'', the symbol appears across nearly all worlds in the form of [[Lucky Emblem]]s. While some are true Hidden Mickeys formed by items lining up properly into shape, others are simply the image of the symbol stamped onto the surroundings.