Encantadia 2016 Character Design: Amihan

Amihan is the second daughter and favored by the queen for the leadership of Lireo. She is the guardian or keeper of the elemental gem of air. The design is inspired by the element. The use of lines that form the movement of wind and what ever connects to its definition such as wings,feathers, swirls and even electricity.

Originally, the idea was that the character starts with a simple attire or garb. As her skills grow, her look would also level-up. The gamified idea is that a character improves after every story quest or side quest. Her armor gets upgrades. Her skills in battle improves as also her capabilities in wielding the elemental gem given under her care.

Amihan is a diwata. In Filipino culture, our witch doctors or healers known to us as "babaylan" would conduct rituals with veils or cloths that cover their faces. It is said that it is to imitate the guardians of nature called collectively as "diwata". With that in mind, I figured that Amihan and her sisters would eventually have veils. These veils are used by the "diwata" and "babaylan" to shield their thoughts or intentions from other beings. Showing the cultural connection between folklore and heritage would have been cool if we had that in the story.