Understanding Gnosis in Genshin Impact
Understanding Gnosis in Genshin Impact
Gnosis, plural Gnoses, is an item used by The Seven to directly resonate with Celestia and is proof of an Archon’s status as one of The Seven. They take on the appearance of a chess piece. It is implied that the Gnoses were rewarded to the gods who emerged victorious from the Archon War. Furthermore, Gnoses embody the Heavenly Principles’ control over Teyvat and the ‘laws,’ created using the remains of the Third Descender.
After Nibelung’s great war of vengeance left the Heavenly Principles gravely injured and unable to use its absolute authority to subdue the world’s original order, the Heavenly Principles and ‘one who came after’ created the Gnoses as part of a ‘new order.’
Little is known about the Gnoses’ purpose or abilities. So far, they are said to:
- Allow Archons to resonate with Celestia directly
- Grant Archons the ‘divine ability’ to defend their nation
- Allow the user to summon a mass of elemental power at their owner’s disposal
Unlike humans, Archons have innate elemental abilities and do not rely on the Gnoses to wield the elements, as demonstrated by Venti, Zhongli, Ei, and Nahida during their respective Story Quests, even after parting with their Gnoses. Nonetheless, Gnoses seem to greatly enhance an Archon’s abilities. For example, Zhongli states that the ‘power of the Geo Archon’ is required to create Mora, indicating that the Golden House would have to temporarily close since he can no longer perform this task.
The currently known devices related to Gnosis are:
- The Akasha System in Sumeru, created by Greater Lord Rukkhadevata to combat forbidden knowledge during the cataclysm by linking the minds of those who wear Akasha Terminals. This system requires the energy of the Dendro Gnosis to function, but it has become defunct after Lesser Lord Kusanali shut it down, as the Gnosis is now in Fatui possession.
- Shouki no Kami, a mechanical shell used to turn Scaramouche into an artificial god, developed by Sumeru Akademiya’s sages in collaboration with Il Dottore and the Fatui. It is now defunct following Scaramouche’s defeat at the hands of Lesser Lord Kusanali and the Traveler.
Moreover, one common topic of argument among players is the concept of the Gnosis and its relation with its corresponding Archon. While there is a general theory among the community regarding some of the Gnosis’ workings, its very nature and importance concerning the world order remain unknown.
Players who have been attentive to the Genshin Impact storyline will recognize the Gnosis as an item residing in the body of an Archon—one of the seven territorial gods—who uses it to tap into the energy of Celestia. Celestia is a mysterious place, a land floating above Teyvat that allows mortals who have performed heroic deeds to ascend to godhood. During the closing chapters of the Genshin Impact prologue in Mondstadt, Venti, after losing his Gnosis to Signora, explains to the Traveler the difference between an ‘Archon with Gnosis’ and a ‘Mortal with Vision.’
In light of this information, fans can reasonably consider that a Gnosis in Genshin Impact does not simply provide an Archon with ‘a foci’ to channel the element, as they previously had with the Vision. Instead, the Gnosis strengthens that power and perhaps grants the corresponding Archon a firm ‘Ideal.’ While Venti/Barbatos rules over Mondstadt with the principle of freedom, Morax/Zhongli embodies a more restrictive founding principle of Liyue—anthropomorphized as the ‘Ideal of contracts.’ Similarly, each Archon possesses a divine ‘Ideal’ unique to them, leading to a common theory that it is the Gnosis that either aids or determines that.
Many fans parallel the creation of the Teyvat world to the philosophy of Gnosticism, believing that what appears in the game is not the actual state of the world. The YouTuber posits that the very concept of Genshin Impact’s Gnosis is derived from Gnosticism, which claims that humans contain a part of the true God, known as the ‘divine spark.’ However, humans cannot achieve divinity via the mortal realm, as their bodies are created by an inferior being, considered evil—the very being that humans consider the true God.
Lastly, it should be noted that the Tsaritsa has been collecting Gnoses as part of her efforts to fight Celestia. It is possible that she began this endeavor right after witnessing Celestia’s actions toward Khaenri’ah.
The Role of Gnosis Among the Archons
The role of Gnosis among the Archons can be discerned through various examples in Genshin Impact.
Firstly, Zhongli, who is also known as Morax, decided to casually give the Geo Gnosis to La Signora. Even though he is the God of Contracts, he has the ability to choose not to agree to the contract. This implies that he might align with the aims of The Tsaritsa.
Next, regarding the Electro Gnosis, a noteworthy question arises: how did Yae Miko know that the Traveler would be at the Delusion factory? Moreover, how did she anticipate the need to bring the Electro Gnosis, unless she is secretly collaborating with Pierro? Pierro is aware that Scaramouche, characterized as the “Emo Boy with Mommy Issues,” would certainly desire the Electro Gnosis and would likely attempt to escape with it because of his predictable nature.
As for the Dendro Gnosis, Nahida did not have much interest in it. She simply regarded it as a ‘mass of elemental energy’ without understanding its true value and destructive potential. This lack of knowledge may stem from her being sealed within the Sanctuary of Surasthana since her ‘birth.’
On the subject of the Hydro Gnosis, Skirk informed Neuvillette that it would bring calamity, leading him to decide to dispose of it.
Overall, a Gnosis is an item utilized by Archons to directly access energy from Celestia. Additionally, it serves as proof of their status as an elemental Archon. For instance, Venti’s Gnosis, resembling a glowing chess piece, was taken during a cutscene in which it was pulled from his body, leaving his fake vision untouched. Interestingly, Venti’s Gnosis resembles a Queen piece, which is the strongest piece in chess, while Zhongli’s Gnosis resembles a Rook piece. Zhongli made a wager through a contract regarding his Gnosis with the Fatui, testing whether Liyue could thrive independently without his assistance. Given that Liyue successfully defended against Osiris without his help, he, being the Archon of Contracts, upheld his commitment by handing his Gnosis to them. It is important to note that the Archons retain considerable power even without their Gnosis and are still able to harness celestial energy from alternative sources.
How Gnosis Influences Gameplay Mechanics
Gnosis plays a significant role in Genshin Impact’s gameplay mechanics.
Firstly, Archons possess a Gnosis, which is a device similar to a Vision. It affirms their authority as an Archon and allows them to ‘resonate’ with Celestia.
Secondly, a Gnosis acts as an item for Archons to directly tap into energy from Celestia, serving as proof of their status as an elemental Archon.
In terms of gameplay interaction, the Gnosis greatly enhances an Archon’s abilities. For instance, Zhongli states that the ‘power of the Geo Archon’ is required to create Mora, indicating that the Golden House would have to temporarily close if he could no longer perform this function.
Additionally, Genshin Impact integrates elemental manipulation as a core gameplay feature. Players can manipulate the game’s elements through the Skills and Bursts of a party’s four characters to produce various reactions.
Moreover, the game draws inspiration from diverse sources, including Gnosticism, enhancing the narrative depth and thematic elements associated with Gnosis.
Lastly, other characters may be granted a Vision, which allows them control over a specific element, driving the game mechanics further by enabling ambitions to ascend to godhood and reside in Celestia.
In summary, the Gnosis is crucial in determining the abilities and gameplay mechanics associated with Archons, while also integrating various elemental manipulations for all characters within the game.
Dendro Gnosis: What You Need to Know
Dendro Gnosis Overview
Travelers who completed all the main quests and are up to date with the story would already know what happened to this item.
While the Sumeru chapter has ended, Nahida’s Gnosis has never been revealed in the game, and its appearance remains unknown. It is speculated that this item will appear in the Fontaine Archon Quests.
Players who have completed the main Sumeru quest would already know that Nahida traded her Gnosis with Dottore in exchange for information related to the rumors that ‘the skies over Teyvat are fake.’
Current Ownership
The Dendro Gnosis was obtained by Il Dottore in exchange for giving Lesser Lord Kusanali information about the rumored intel that ‘the skies of Teyvat are fake.’
The Fatui already have the Dendro Gnosis. The two have a tense exchange, with Dottore bargaining for the Gnoses in the Dendro Archon’s possession. Though Nahida stands her ground, she eventually hands one of the Gnoses over.
Community Speculation
Based on the leaked concept art, many within the Genshin Impact community speculate that Nahida’s Gnosis might be Bishop due to the piece’s shape. At the same time, another part of the community thinks it might be a King piece because of the crown pattern on its head.
Significance of Gnosis
A Gnosis, plural Gnoses, is an item used by The Seven to directly resonate with Celestia, and is proof of an Archon’s status as one of The Seven.
The headwear for the Dendro Gnosis looks like a peeled-open mitre, probably to symbolize one’s knowledge blooming.
The Significance of Zhongli’s Gnosis Relinquishment
In present time, Zhongli has handed over his Gnosis. With this act, he has lifted the heavy weight of rulership he has borne for millennia. As the Gnosis is now in Fatui possession, Zhongli is no longer inclined to act as Archon. He now spends his time reminiscing and enjoying the mortal experience. However, it is not to be believed that his story is even close to being over yet.
Moreover, Zhongli is in truth the latest mortal vessel of the Geo Archon, Morax, also known as Liyue’s overlord and protector: Rex Lapis. Having lived for over 6000 years, he has first-hand experience with much of Teyvat’s history. He has presumably witnessed many of Teyvat’s significant events, such as the cataclysm, the creation of the Chasm, and the fall of Aria, Sonnet and Canon. Nonetheless, he is most known for his cold-blooded participation in the Archon War and his founding of Liyue.
Additionally, the Gnosis allowed him to create limitless Mora. As a result, he never had to worry about running low on his personal finances. Unfortunately, when he chose to live among mortals, he lacked the foresight to find an alternative for them to continue minting Mora in his absence, along with creating a retirement fund for himself. Consequently, he shamelessly spends the Mora of others.
Furthermore, by giving up his Gnosis, he symbolically stepped back from his role as a god. He embraces the idea that the future of Liyue should be shaped by its people rather than by divine intervention.
Moreover, Zhongli seeks to return the elemental authority of Geo back to the Geo Sovereign. He knows that the effects of erosion are inevitable.
Despite being without Gnosis, he remains a divine entity titled God of War. However, he is not even on par compared to Venti, who is also an ex-Archon after his Gnosis was taken.
Exploring the Connection Between Gnosis and the Elements
In Genshin Impact, a Gnosis is a powerful artifact that grants its holder a significant amount of elemental power and is associated with the Archons, the gods of Teyvat. The concept of worthiness for a Gnosis is not explicitly defined in the game. However, several factors can be inferred based on lore and character actions:
- Divine Will: The Archons choose individuals who align with their ideals and purposes. Worthiness often relates to how well someone embodies the values of their respective Archon.
- Impact on the World: Characters who demonstrate a significant ability to influence the world, whether through leadership, sacrifice, or profound actions, may be seen as worthy. This is evident in characters like Raiden Shogun, who has a deep connection to her nation’s struggles.
- Connection to the Elements: Gnosis is linked to the elements of Teyvat. Characters who show mastery or deep understanding of their element might be considered worthy.
Furthermore, all vision holders of the same element are candidates for the next Gnosis holder if the current Archon dies, which may occur naturally, like with Zhongli. Usually, those who are closest to them and share the same element will be considered. For example, when the Electro Archon Raiden Makoto died, the Gnosis was passed on to the current Electro Archon Raiden Ei/Shogun. Additionally, Gnosis can also be stolen from the Archons, as evidenced by actions taken by the Fatui harbingers.
A Gnosis, plural Gnoses, is an item used by The Seven to directly resonate with Celestia. It serves as proof of an Archon’s status and takes on a physical appearance reminiscent of a glowing chess piece. It is a part of the Archon’s very being, symbolizing their divine status and authority. Without their Gnosis, an Archon would be stripped of their godhood, significantly weakening their elemental powers.
The Gnosis enables The Seven to maintain a divine connection to Celestia and defend their nations. It enhances their powers while in their possession and is believed to embody the control of the Heavenly Principle over Teyvat, along with the ‘laws’ that govern it.
Interestingly, the Dendro Gnosis was obtained by Il Dottore in exchange for giving Lesser Lord Kusanali information about rumored intel stating that ‘the skies of Teyvat are fake.’ Additionally, the Hydro Gnosis was procured by Arlecchino as a ‘diplomatic gift’ for her and Tartaglia’s assistance against a prophecy.
It is said that the manifestations of elements, such as Dendro with leaves, Electro with an electricity source due to its two polarities, and Cryo with…
Impact of Gnosis on Character Strength and Abilities
Impact of Gnosis on Character Strength and Abilities
Gnosis is a concept in the game Genshin Impact that allows characters to wield elemental powers beyond what a Vision can do. Specifically, it serves as an internal magical focus that enables characters to resonate directly with Celestia. To illustrate, Gnoses are associated with greater power than that of a Vision. For example, the Dendro Archon utilized the power of her Gnosis to create the Akasha System, which harvests dreams from the people of Sumeru.
Additionally, according to Venti and other sources, the Gnosis is a divine piece that acts as proof of the Archons’ godhood. It provides abilities that exceed those of Vision bearers and can also serve specific purposes within the world, such as Morax’s ability to create mora. Gnoses were created from the remains of the Third Descender.
In Genshin Impact’s narrative, the Fatui Harbingers are shown to be collecting the Gnoses of other Archons, either through exchange or force, presumably in an effort to wield them in a confrontation against Celestia. This was exemplified in the A Winter Night’s Lazzotrailer, where Pierro is depicted utilizing the collected Gnoses in a chess game.
Furthermore, Gnosis also contributes to unique character abilities. For example, Mavuika’s Elemental Burst is based on ‘Fighting Spirit’ instead of conventional Energy. When she has at least 50% Fighting Spirit, she can utilize it all to unleash her Elemental Burst. This leads her to gain 10 Nightsoul points and enter the Nightsoul’s Blessing state. While in this state, Mavuika’s Base ATK increases by 200, and she gains specific effects based on her All-Fire Armaments’ form. Nearby opponents experience a decrease in DEF by 20%, while her attacks during this state deal increased damage.
Moreover, after using her Elemental Burst, “Hour of Burning Skies,” each point of Fighting Spirit enhances the damage dealt by the current active party member by 0.2%, with a maximum increase of 40%. This effect lasts for 20 seconds and decays over that duration until it reaches zero. Ultimately, the incorporation of Gnosis significantly enriches both character strengths and abilities within the game.
Gnosis Chess Pieces: Their Purpose and Importance
Gnosis Chess Pieces are five collectible items located in the Sumeru Desert. You can obtain them by placing them on a chessboard puzzle to unlock the Apocalypse Lost quest in Genshin Impact 3.4. They are found inside Exquisite Chests within the underground ruins of the Hadramaveth Desert. However, these locations become accessible after completing specific quests, namely The Dirge of Bilqis and Tadhla’s Falcon.
After placing a chess piece, it is essential to find an Activation Device specific to that piece in order to activate it. Activating the device allows you to teleport to the corresponding location, which then serves as a teleportation hub. Once you collect all five Chess Pieces and the seven Activation Devices, you can solve the Safhe Shatranj Chess Puzzle and enable the teleport function for each piece. Each chess piece is linked to a unique location within the Sumeru Desert.
Furthermore, the Gnosis for each Archon corresponds to a particular chess piece. For instance, the Gnosis from Venti/Barbatos is represented by the Queen piece, which symbolizes the ideal of freedom associated with the Mondstadt Archon. This connection illustrates that the Queen has the freedom to move in any direction, reflecting the core values of the Archon.
On a broader scale, a Gnosis (plural: Gnoses) is an item utilized by The Seven to resonate directly with Celestia, serving as proof of an Archon’s status. They take the form of chess pieces, with an implication that these Gnoses were bestowed upon the gods who emerged victorious from the Archon War.
In the context of power dynamics, Genshin Impact’s Archons possess greater strength than most Vision users due to their special Gnosis devices, which allow them to access elemental powers. The Gnoses symbolize the Archon’s Godhood through their chess piece forms.
Interestingly, in chess, each major piece corresponds to an Archon’s Gnosis: Venti’s is the Queen, Zhongli’s is the Rook, and Ei’s is the Bishop. Notably, Venti’s chess piece being a Queen indicates its significance since the Queen is the strongest piece in chess.
