Zodiac (Term)
From Final Fantasy Wiki
The Zodiac is a recurring series of symbols in the Final Fantasy series. It refers to the twelve Zodiacal Constellations: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. Ophiuchus is also a Zodiacal constellation, but is often not counted, but most games in the series that include the Zodiac make note of it in some way. The thirteen signs of the Final Fantasy Zodiac appear on the Ivalice Alliance logo. The summon Zodiark is named after the Zodiac.
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[edit] Appearances
[edit] Final Fantasy IX
Queen Stella, an aristocrat in the city of Treno spends her days collecting the twelve Stellazio coins, each one named after a Zodiac Sign. Once the player finds her one, she will give a prize. After all twelve are found, she will note that she feels like another one exists somewhere. This is the Ophiuchus coin.
[edit] Final Fantasy XI
There are thirten subligaria, each named after Zodiac symbols (including Ophiuchus), that are obtained from the Fomors in dungeons around Tavnazia. These subligaria are used in a sidequest to obtain special level 50 armor.
In addition, the Federation of Windurst's Caster Companies are all named after zodiac symbols.
[edit] Final Fantasy XII
The thirteen Espers of Final Fantasy XII each represent one of the thirteen Zodiac Signs. The opposite Scions of Light, which never appear in the game themselves also represent the same signs. The twelve Jobs of the Zodiac Job System also each refer to a sign of the Zodiac.
[edit] Final Fantasy Tactics
The signs of the Zodiac play the largest role in Final Fantasy Tactics, called the "Zodiac Brave Story" in-game. They play both a role in gameplay and in plot.
The in-game calendar is divided up into twelve months, each one named after a sign in the Zodiac. All playable characters and monsters are given a set Zodiac Sign, except for Ramza Beoulve, whose birthdate and sign are decided by the player. The Zodiac Sign of every unit affects the affinity of attacks and spells used against them. Opposite pairs on the Zodiac calendar (like Pisces and Virgo for example) have high optimal compatibility, while its compatibility with other signs is weak or poor depending upon position. Units of the same gender have weakened affinity, units of the opposite gender have increased affinity. Serpentarius (Ophiuchus) is not counted within the Ivalice calendar, and so all characters have nuetral affinity to the one enemy with this Sign, Elidibus.
| The Zodiac Calendar | ||
| Ivalice Month | Days Long | Real World Time |
|---|---|---|
| Capricorn | 28 | December 23 - January 19 |
| Aquarius | 30 | January 20 - February 18 |
| Pisces | 30 | February 19 - March 20 |
| Aries | 30 | March 21 - April 19 |
| Taurus | 31 | April 20 - May 20 |
| Gemini | 31 | May 21 - June 21 |
| Cancer | 31 | June 22 - July 22 |
| Leo | 32 | July 23 - August 22 |
| Virgo | 31 | August 23 - September 22 |
| Libra | 31 | September 23 - October 23 |
| Scorpio | 30 | October 24 - November 22 |
| Sagittarius | 30 | November 23 - December 22 |
Plot-wise, the signs of the Zodiac each represent one of the thirteen Auracite crystals, the Zodiac Stones. These stones are related to the Lucavi demons, which use them to enter the world of Ivalice to do evil. The Stones can possess humans holding them at the moment of their death and then forever take control of their bodies. When the need arises, the possessed person can transform into the Lucavi monsters. Ramza fights and defeats five Lucavi monsters that allied together to resurrect their master, Ultima. He then destroys Ultima too once she is reborn through the body of his sister, Alma Beoulve. The Zodiac Stones also seem to work to transport good as well, since they respond to Rapha's grief over the death of her brother, Marach Galthena and return him to life. The other Zodiac Stones are used in a series of sidequests where they are used to turn on lost technology. Serpentarius is counted as a Zodiac Stone.
