Elements

Flames and the warmth of the sun
Lightning and the signals that flow through nerves
Chemicals and the medicines found in plants
Mighty trees and the dirt which grows them
Tornadoes and the gentle zephyrs
Oceans and the substance needed to live
Shade of an oak and the night sky
Atmosphere and the spirits of all

Awe of the One that made everything.

~Ancient Elemental Poem on the Elements in Nature

< Back

Elementa

There are nine elements that make up the physical and spiritual world that Spyro and the others live in. They are: Fear, Fire, Electricity, Alchemy, Earth, Wind, Ice, Shadow, and Æther. Each element can be found in nature and has colors and qualities that are associated with it. When combined, the nine elements create Light, embodying innocence and purity. The nine elements are often symbolized by a triple triskelion in the nine corresponding colors, or a more simple triskelion resembling a tricolored yin-yang symbol. One of the duties of the Dragon Guardians is to protect the elements from misuse. Although not an element proper, Time abilities can sometimes be accessed via Æther-wielding creatures, such as Purple Dragons. The use of elements can also be corrupted by Darkness, resulting in Dark forms, or "anti-elements", which are inferior and dangerous compared with their original elemental counterparts. Dragons refer to Fear, Fire, Electricity, and Alchemy as the elements of reactivity, and to Earth, Wind, Ice, and Shadow as the elements of protection. Similarly, Fire, Electricity, Earth, and Ice are classed as massic elements, and Fear, Alchemy, Wind, and Shadow as intrinsic elements.

Fire

Associated with the qualities of zeal and faith, Fire is present in flames and the warmth of the sun. It is usually associated with the color orange red, and the mature eggs of Dragons of this element are usually that color. Fire is a massic reactive element with burning abilities, and its complementing opposite is Ice.

Electricity

Associated with the qualities of joy and wisdom, Electricity is present in lightning and the signals that flow through nerves. It is usually associated with the color yellow, and the mature eggs of Dragons of this element are usually that color. Electricity is a massic reactive element with shocking abilities, and its complementing opposite is Shadow.

Alchemy

Associated with the qualities of healing and forgiveness, Alchemy is present in chemicals and the medicines found in plants. It is usually associated with the color chartreuse, and the mature eggs of Dragons of this element are usually that color. Alchemy is an intrinsic reactive element with burning abilities, and its complementing opposite is Fear.

Earth

Associated with the qualities of patience and humbleness, Earth is present in mighty trees and the dirt which grows them. It is usually associated with the color green, and the mature eggs of Dragons of this element are usually that color. Earth is a massic protective element with strengthening abilities, and its complementing opposite is Wind.

Wind

Associated with the qualities of strength and direction, Wind is present in tornadoes and the gentle zephyrs. It is usually associated with the color cyan turquoise, and the mature eggs of Dragons of this element are usually that color. Wind is an intrinsic protective element with strengthening abilities, and its complementing opposite is Earth.

Ice

Associated with the qualities of peace and life, Ice is present in oceans and the substance needed to live. It is usually associated with the color blue, and the mature eggs of Dragons of this element are usually that color. Ice is a massic protective element with preserving abilities, and its complementing opposite is Fire.

Shadow

Associated with the qualities of kindness and wonder, Shadow is present in the shade of an oak and the night sky. It is usually associated with the color indigo gray, and the mature eggs of Dragons of this element are usually that color. Shadow is an intrinsic protective element with preserving abilities, and its complementing opposite is Electricity.

Æther

Associated with the qualities of love and hope, Æther is present in the atmosphere and the spirits of all. It is usually associated with the color violet purple, and the mature eggs of Dragons of this element are usually that color. Æther does not have a complementing opposite since it encompasses all other elements.

Fear

Associated with the qualities of self-control and loyalty, Fear is present in the awe of the One that made everything. It is usually associated with the color pink, and the mature eggs of Dragons of this element are usually that color. Fear is an intrinsic reactive element with shocking abilities, and its complementing opposite is Alchemy.

Elemental Magic

Elemental Magic—like other magics—can be used as a creative tool or a weapon. It can be natural or learned, and is a staple of many kinds of creatures.

Internal Elemental Manipulation

Internal elemental manipulation is defined as the ability to control one's element(s) from the inside of one's body. This includes various phenomena, including the Dragon's hallmark: element breath.

Element Breath

Besides Dragons, other Groops creatures such as Griffins and Opinici are also able to use elemental breaths, as well as some Wild Beasts (e.g. Dreadwings). For Dragons, pyrogenesis is the most common, so many are able to exhale Fire, as are Phoenices.

External Elemental Manipulation

Conversely, external elemental manipulation is when one controls elemental magic from outside the body. This can range from manipulating the element with extremities such as the hand, head, tail, or wings, to kinetic effects from afar. Pyrokinesis—the external manipulation of Fire—is a notable example.

Elemental Nomenclature and Study

Elemental Classes

For the sake of classification and understanding, elements are usually grouped into paired classes. The most common examples are reactive versus protective and massic versus intrinsic.

Elements of Reactivity and Elements of Protection

Dragons refer to Fear, Fire, Electricity, and Alchemy variously as the burning elements, warm elements, hot elements, reactive elements, elements of reactivity, attacking elements, or the elements of attack. These elements are notable for their ability to react to and change the matter around them: Fire and Alchemy burn, and Fear and Electricity shock.

In a similar designation, Earth, Wind, Ice, and Shadow are to Dragons the cooling elements, cool elements, or cold elements, stable elements, elements of stability, protective elements, or the elements of protection. Elements in this class do not change themselves nor the matter around them directly, but instead protect it: Earth and Wind give strength, and Ice and Shadow preserve.

Massic Elements and Intrinsic Elements

The massic elements are Fire, Electricity, Earth, and Ice. The physical material and mass of these elements is inherently linked to their abilities. Massic elements are also the most common elements for a Dragon to wield. Notably, these are the first four elements which Spyro learned to master.

Intrinsic elements, in contrast, are those which rely on internal factors and specific strengths in order to function. These elements are Fear, Alchemy, Wind, and Shadow. Intrinsic elements are the least common elements a Dragon can wield. Interestingly, these are the elements young Cynder had control over after being released from Spyro's Time Crystal.

Other Elemental Classes

Additionally, other classes of elements are used in study, such as bright and dark, fast and slow.

Element Breakdown by Class

Fear: intrinsic reactivity (shocking)
Fire: massic reactivity (burning)
Electricity: massic reactivity (shocking)
Alchemy: intrinsic reactivity (burning)
Earth: massic protection (strengthening)
Wind: intrinsic protection (strengthening)
Ice: massic protection (preserving)
Shadow: intrinsic protection (preserving)