Elden Ring Lore: Gamers Discover Tree of Erd Christmas Tree Origin

Reddit user Independent-Design17 proposed an intriguing connection between Elden Ring's Erdtree and the Australian Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda. While a surface-level resemblance is apparent, particularly with the game's smaller Erdtrees, fans have unearthed deeper thematic similarities.

Elden Ring depicts the Erdtree as a guiding force for the souls of the departed, a concept reflected in the catacombs at its base. This echoes Aboriginal Australian beliefs surrounding Nuytsia, which is revered as a "spirit tree." Each flowering branch is seen as representing a deceased soul, and its vibrant colors are linked to the sunset, the perceived destination of spirits.

Further bolstering this comparison is Nuytsia's semi-parasitic nature; it draws sustenance from neighboring plants. This parallels a popular fan theory suggesting the Erdtree is parasitic, having usurped the life force of an ancient Great Tree (though in-game references to a "Great Tree" are now believed to be a translation error, referring instead to the Erdtree's own extensive root system).

Ultimately, whether FromSoftware intentionally drew inspiration from Nuytsia floribunda remains a mystery known only to the developers.