Symbolically, Halos are simply used to show that a figure is Holy, or spiritually significant. However, it didn’t originate this way – the Halo symbol has actually been used in religious artwork for thousands of years, and likely has its origins in ancient Buddhist artwork. It is often depicted as a glowing disk or ring around the head or body of the figure, and is shown most commonly in western pop culture as a golden ring floating above the head of an angel. The word halo also refers to a common artistic motif that can be found in depictions of important or holy figures in many religions around the world. In the games a Halo refers to a group of gigantic rings in space that act basically as ring shaped planets. You don’t have to look far before you encounter symbols of Christianity in these games – in fact, the name of the series itself – Halo – is a religious reference. Is the use of religious terms and iconography in this series hinting at a deeper meaning, or like Neon Genesis Evangelion is it simply slapping on a coat of religious symbolism to make itself seem a little more mysterious? Lets find out with this dive into the religious symbolism of the Halo Series. However, now that the series is back in the public eye with all of the hype around Halo Infinite, I figured I would take a second look at this series, and its use of symbolism in particular. I was just like “Oh, the aliens are led by prophets, that seems like a pretty normal thing” and moved on. I also grew up in a very Christian household, where terms like Covenant and Prophet weren’t unusual, and when these terms showed up in the game it didn’t really click with my younger self that they were deliberately trying to evoke religious, and in particular Christian, symbolism in the game. It was sort of like the movie Jaws – even if you haven’t seen it, you probably have a pretty decent idea what happens in it, right? A big strong space marine with crazy guns travels to a floating ring in outer-space to fight evil aliens – done, I got it. I’ve never been a big player of first-person shooters, but around the time I was in middle-school all of my friends were playing it, and it reached a certain level of pop cultural ubiquity that everyone at least had a basic idea what it was about. In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past 20 years, Halo is a franchise of science fiction FPS’s that, for a period in the early to mid 2000’s, was basically the biggest video-game franchise on the planet. Support those most in need by contributing to Coronavirus Relief Fund through our #WeGotThisSpartans campaign.What’s up designers, and welcome back to Rempton Games. ^ Halo Waypoint: MCC Development Update - December 2019.^ Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo, Shield World, p.^ Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 85.^ Halo 3: ODST: Veronica Dare in-game model.^ a b Halo Legendary Crate, Data Drop 2.^ Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, p.^ Halo 2: Anniversary, campaign model, Crates.^ Halo Waypoint: The Halo Bulletin: 7.25.12 (Defunct, copy on Wayback Machine).^ Halo Infinite, trailer, Campaign Gameplay Premiere.^ a b c d Halo 4, campaign level, Infinity.^ a b Halo 2: Anniversary, campaign model, M12 Chaingun Warthog.^ a b Halo: Reach, campaign level Noble Actual.^ Halo: Reach, campaign level Tip of the Spear. ![]()
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