Symbol

xTATTEREDx  · +FINE+  · *SUPERIOR*  · ≡EXCEPTIONAL≡  · ☼MASTERWORK☼

Not to be confused with icons. Previously, symbols have been a mostly abstract concept in Dwarf Fortress, defined as part of the language system, and occasionally referred to in descriptions. v50 of the game has introduced some new, and occasionally interrelated features regarding this term.

Fortress Mode

Custom group symbol options

Group Symbol

When embarking, if you choose to prepare carefully, you will be given the option to customize your group symbol. The options for doing this are similar to choosing a custom name, but have the capacity to be even more elaborate and long-winded than even custom names allow; giving you choices for representing nearly all named entities in the game and deciding their relationship(s) to each other.

Nobles and administrators

The position symbol selection menu

In this menu n, by clicking on the crown+ icon next to a relevant position, available objects in your fortress can be made into a symbol of a noble or administrative position. If multiple objects are assigned to a position or a citizen is assigned to more than one position with an assigned symbol, they will try and equip them all.

When a new object is assigned as a symbol, unless it is already an artifact or named object, you will have the opportunity to choose a custom name for the object or accept the default name generated by the game. Items that have been designated as a symbol of office will count as artifacts for stockpile storage quality settings, even if they are in fact lower quality,^[Verify]

Objects

Symbols

This tab of the Objects menu O, lists all objects currently assigned as symbols in your fortress:

Engravings

Group symbols (and position symbols?)^[Verify] can be depicted in engravings. As with other images, this is much more likely to happen if the citizen producing the engraving is associated with the group that the symbol relates to.^[Verify]

Squad

The squad symbol selection menu

Not to be confused with objects that are a symbol of office, the squad menu q allows you to edit the graphical icon symbol assigned to any created squads.

Legends Mode

As in fortress mode, during worldgen (and world activities)^[Verify] certain items, usually (always?)^[Verify] artifacts, can also be chosen as the symbol of a group's administrative position. Below is an example from legends mode:

Language

In the context of language, symbols are entirely separate to symbol 'objects' in fortress mode.

The game has a list of symbols, defined in Language_SYM.txt. This defines which words are related to that symbol, and can consequently be used by civilizations that have that symbol token defined in their entity object file entry. The game will associate those words with generated descriptions about that civilization, or groups, sites and special items created by that civilization.^[Verify]

V · T · E Menu Tabs
Creatures u	Citizens • Pets/Livestock • Others • Dead/Missing
Tasks t	Tasks
Places P	Zones • Locations • Stockpiles • Workshops • Farm plots
Labor y	Work details • Standing orders • Kitchen • Stone use
Work orders o	Work orders
Nobles and Administrators n	Nobles and Administrators
Objects O	Artifacts • Symbols • Named objects • Written content
Justice j	Open cases • Closed cases • Cold cases • Fortress Guard • Convicts • Intelligence