FFXIV: The most important item in Endwalker comes from an ancient legend that we all know

At the beginning of the story of Endwalker, the latest addition to Final Fantasy XIV, you get a very important item. But it has its origin in a Greek legend that you all know: Pandora’s box.

Like many other games, FFXIV makes extensive use of different areas from real life. Concepts from philosophy, art and literature as well as well-known personalities from history can be found there as the names of NPCs or places.

Most often, however, the developers fall back on the most diverse mythologies and religions of the real world. From Odin, the father of the gods, to Hindu deities such as Shiva, Garuda and Lakshmi, to Susanoo from the Japanese Shinto tradition.

Accordingly, the most important item from the new Endwalker add-on also has its origins in mythology.

Which item is it about?

After Hydaelyn kept silent about the warriors of light in Shadowbringers for many patches, there are finally some conversations with her again in Endwalker. You can see her original form as Venat and during the first quests at level 80 you get a small gift from her.

It is a special flower that does not initially have a clear name. But it has the ability to change its color depending on the feelings of the people around it.

The item is extremely important, according to Hydaelyn. It should accompany the warrior of light on his journey and show him or her the right way. And so you carry it with you for a long time and try to find out what the special flower is all about.

Eventually, during their visit to the moon, the players learn that the flower bears the name Elpis. And there is a lot of symbolism in this name, because it originally came from Greek mythology.

Elpis and Pandora’s Box

The myth of Pandora is one of the most famous stories of ancient Greece in Europe. A long time ago Zeus ordered the blacksmith god Hepheistus to create a beautiful woman out of clay to be sent to the people on earth.

From other gods she received gifts such as musical talent, charm and enchanting language, but also curiosity and arrogance. They give her the name Pandora and she is brought as a gift to Epimetheus, Prometheus’ brother.

Contrary to his brother’s warnings, Epimetheus marries Pandora, but she brings with her a dangerous wedding present. Zeus gives her a box in which all the evils of the world and hope are locked. Overwhelmed by her curiosity, Pandora opens the box, releasing the plagues in the process.

Fun Fact: The original version of the myth speaks of an urn or a vessel of Pandora. It was called “pithos” and was usually filled with wine, oil, or grain. The change to a “rifle” happened due to a wrong translation. The Greek “pithos” became “pyxis” in Latin, which means “box”. This version then spread.

In the end, there was only hope left in the box and her name was Elpis. In Greek mythology, Elpis is also represented in the form of a goddess who has the appearance of a young woman, with flowers or a cornucopia in her hands.

She is now the only good-natured goddess who still dwells among men while the evils ravage the world and make life on it difficult. All others have withdrawn to Olympus with the end of the golden age, which ended with the release of evils.

And while the poet Theognis complains that the world and people have turned bad, he also says that they can continue to trust in Elpis. Because hope will give you comfort and help in the dark times.

What does it mean for FFXIV? The concept of hope for a better tomorrow runs like a thread through FFXIV. Again and again the player character and his NPC friends fight and hope that the world will become a little better as a result. The FFXIV story keeps reminding us that while there is a lot of bad and bad in the world, one should still not give up hope.

Whether during the Dragon War in Heavensward, the recapture of Doma and Ala Mhigo in Stormblood or the rescue of the first splinter in Shadowbringers. The characters fight and hope despite vanishingly small opportunities and dire losses they suffer in the process.

In Endwalker, the flower gives this hope a form and function, namely to bring the player character on the right path so that he can prevent the end of the world.

What do you think of the symbolism of the Elpis flower in Endwalker? Do you find it suitable? How do you like the add-on in general so far? Let us know in the comments and please use the spoiler function.

Final Fantasy XIV brings new expansion Endwalker – release date and all information