Kédalikín
The Kédalikín are the predominant ethnic group of kíndallans on the species’ homeworld of Gadalla and throughout the cosmos. The culture is notable for a series of color associations which often directly conflict with the color associations of their Earthling counterparts.
For instance:
- White, which represents purity in many Earthling subcultures, is more closely tied with the idea of strength in Kédalikín society. Kédalikín horns are white, and are their fiercest natural weapon. The traditional garb of Kédalikín warriors is also white, for this very reason.
- Red, a color representing danger or cause for alarm on Earth, is the color of purity and beauty for Kédalikíns. Red is the color of their skin, of course.
- Black, a color with many different associations for Earthlings, is most closely related with the idea of possibility in Kédalikín society. So, while Kédalikín priests and high officials might wear black, and black is the color worn by mates to a pair- or group-bonding ceremony, it is not necessarily associated with formality; it’s used to convey mystery and excitement instead. And black is never used for mourning.
- That’s what blue is for. Blue, the color of The River from whence the Kédalikíns came—and where they are bound to return—is the color of mourning. It is the color of righteous sadness, and of longing.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
As mentioned above, red is the color of beauty in Kédalikín society. But they aren’t picky about which shade of red a person is. In fact, the ideal is a person who is expert enough in their ability to shape-shift that they can change the level of pigment in their skin to match the coloration of any person whom they are trying to impress.
Gender Ideals
Kédalikíns are biologically genderless, though they delight in mimicking the plethora of genders they’ve encountered in other species during their voyages through the universe. The more fluid the Kédalikín, the better.
Courtship Ideals
As is the case with the society’s beauty and gender ideals, an adaptable partner is the best partner. Most adult Kédalikíns are polyamorous, so the ideal mate is one who won’t freak out if they’re one of many or suddenly the only one.
I like that their colour associations are a lot different from our own - and their beauty, gender, and relationship ideals make me happy! <3
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Yes! Me, too. I'm really surprised by how much I'm growing to like this society that started off as villains in an old comic of mine. Also intrigued to write about the cult within their culture that are the *actual* villains I was writing about so long ago.