This has been bugging me for the past few days, but I don’t quite understand what the symbolism behind the colors of the Testaments are. It’s literally on the tip of my tongue because I remember watching an analysis talking about the symbolism for each of the Testaments colors. I only get vague explanations from wikis such as “The colors depend on the individual” and nothing else. I wondered if it has something to do with alchemical magnum opus color theories, but that was thoroughly explained with Dmitri Yuriev’s URTV experiments (Nigredo, Rubedo, Albedo, Citrine). This experimentation is different from how Wilhelm chooses his testaments, but I don’t understand the color theory behind them.
If anyone can point me in the right direction as to what this symbolism is, that will be fantastic.
Ok. I got a few theories from a few people about what the colors mean. Let me share them here:
From Watte, The Passionate traits:
Red is Passion/obsession - Kevin is passionate and obsessed with Shion due to her playing a key role in activating the eternal recurrance.
Blue is sadness/depression/regret - Virgil represents the regret-fullness of Realians not becoming human. He is also just a really depressed and emotional person in general.
White is when you see white from rage or insanity crazy - The aptly describes Albedo throughout most of Xenosag
Black is a void or emotion evil cruelty - Voyager’s cruel killings and terrorism of Abraxis, and responsible for Jan’s suicide.
The Jungian Alchemical theory : Rubedo - The Wholeness, self Archetype (Discovers their true nature) - Kevin has discovered his true nature even before he became a testament. It is to help Wilhelm achieve Eternal Recurrence by any means. Nigredo - the Shadow - Before he became a Testament, Voyager has always been a lurking in the shadows by using to the UMN to carry out his terrorism. Albedo - Anima and Animus - While this is self explanatory, Jung explains that albedo can mean a shift in consciousness where the world is becoming more than just their own ego. Albedo repeatedly throughout the game displays shifts or awakenings through regenerating his limbs so he will never die.
The most popular theory:
The Testaments are based on The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. There is a belief that the Testaments will show up during end times similar to how the world will end in 4768 T.C.
The Black Testament is based on The Black Horse. The Black Horse represents societal, political, and economic hardship. Similar to how Voyager caused societal and political hardship with his terrorism upon Abraxis.
The Red Testament is based on The Red Horse. The Red Horse represents war. This coincides with Kevin’s association with the Miltian Conflict. Judah, Kevin’s E.S. is based off one of Jacob’s sons who is very associated with war.
The Blue Testament is based on The Pale Horse. The Pale Horse represents death and diseases. DME addiction, a psychological disorder Virgil has, is seen as a disease infecting the physical and mental states of the brain and creates the keratinization of skin. It occasionally results in death upon an allergic reaction.
The White Testament is based on The White Horse. The White Horse represents conquest and false religion. Albedo’s long held goal of reuniting with Jr. was his conquest. Albedo not wishing to have the same powers as the other Testaments is similar to how the white horse doesn’t use the other horse’s powers, but was meant to bring about end times by playing the role as an antichrist.
It’s fun to see a breakdown like this! It’s interesting to me that chaos compares Rubedo and Nigredo to the horses specifically. (“The red horse carries war, and the black horse—famine. Upon those tiny backs bear they great calamity.”) But then makes Albedo the rider (“So he was infected as well? The rider of the white horse.”) Which suggests to me that he views the first two as mere vehicles to the end with limited control of their roles, whereas Albedo is helping guide toward the end, assuming the English is faithful at least :V