Elden Ring fans consider the Tree of Erd to be a “Christmas tree”

Reddit user Independent-Design17 proposed a fascinating connection between Elden Ring's Erdtree and the Australian Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda. Superficial similarities are undeniable, particularly when comparing the smaller Erdtrees within the game. However, the parallels run deeper.

Elden Ring lore depicts the Erdtree as a guide for the souls of the deceased, a concept mirrored in Aboriginal Australian culture's reverence for Nuytsia as a "spirit tree." Each flowering branch is believed to represent a departed soul, and its vibrant colors are linked to the sunset, the perceived destination of spirits.

Further bolstering the comparison is Nuytsia's semi-parasitic nature; it thrives by drawing nutrients from neighboring plants. This resonates with fan theories suggesting the Erdtree's parasitic origins, potentially having usurped the life force of an ancient Great Tree. However, game text referencing a "Great Tree" has been identified as a translation error, actually referring 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.