Elden Ring's Erdtree: A Festive Holiday Symbol?

Reddit user Independent-Design17 proposed an intriguing theory: the Erdtree in Elden Ring might be inspired by the Australian Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda. Superficial similarities are evident, particularly when comparing the game's smaller Erdtrees to the Nuytsia. However, the parallels run deeper. In Elden Ring, the Erdtree guides the souls of the dead, a concept reflected in the catacombs at its base. Similarly, Aboriginal Australian culture views Nuytsia as a "spirit tree," with each flowering branch representing a departed soul, its vibrant color linked to the sunset, the believed destination of spirits.

Further strengthening this connection is the semi-parasitic nature of Nuytsia, which draws nutrients from neighboring plants. This mirrors a popular fan theory suggesting the Erdtree is parasitic, having usurped the life force of an ancient Great Tree (though item descriptions referencing a "Great Tree" are now understood to be a translation error, referring instead to the Erdtree's own "Great Roots").

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