Hemospectrum
| Synonyms: | |
| See also: | bloodswap, Dominance Hierarchy |
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The Hemospectrum is a term from Homestuck canon that refers to the caste system in the troll society. A troll's social status is determined by their blood color. In fanworks, bloodswap AUs, in which the blood colors of the characters have been changed, and stories in which the caste system have shifted are very popular. There are also stories in which trolls of lower caste are slaves.
In Canon
Blood Colors
There are twelve "normal" blood colors among trolls. Each blood color has a specified place within Alternia's caste system, associated stereotypes, and expected duties within the Empire.
- Rust - Also called "burgundy" in some semi-canonical materials. The lowest caste, with a life expectancy of 12-24 sweeps (30-60 years). They are known to have stronger psychic abilities than other trolls, but are also more susceptible to psychic influence. It is stated in the semi-canonical Hiveswap game that all burgundy-blooded characters can communicate with the dead. According to in-universe stereotypes, they love adventure, enjoy interpersonal drama, and are both physically and mentally resilient. Canonical examples: Aradia and Damara Megido.
- Bronze - Also known as "fudgebloods" or "umber," and sometimes also referred to as "rust." They live for roughly the same length of time as humans, and frequently have the ability to converse with animals. They are expected to take on positions within the Alternian military's equivalent of a cavalry. According to in-universe stereotypes, they are kind but withdrawn and enjoy stability. Canonical examples: Tavros and Rufioh Nitram.
- Yellow - Also known as "gold" or "ochre." They have similar lifespans to humans, are often powerful psychics, and are prone to eye mutations. Powerful yellowblood psychics are frequently drafted into the Alternian military as Helmsmen (psychic power sources for Alternian spaceships) or otherwise used as psychic batteries. Yellowbloods who aren't drafted may work in technology fields. According to in-universe stereotypes, they are frequently high-strung, intelligent, and somewhat manipulative. Canonical examples: Sollux and Mituna Captor.
- Lime - Also known as "yellowgreen." Lime is also one of the blood colors present in cherubs, another race within Homestuck. According to in-universe stereotypes, they are passionate and friendly but possess vicious mean streaks. Calliope is a canonical example of a limeblood cherub, but there are no canonical limeblood trolls.
- Olive - Also called "green," this color is considered a sort of "mid-class" by many trolls. They are the blood color least likely to have psychic abilities. Like bronzebloods, they are expected to join the Alternian cavalry. According to in-universe stereotypes, they are agreeable but bossy, with a love for routine and a deep capacity for holding grudges. Canonical examples: Meulin and Nepeta Leijon, Troll Will Smith.
- Jade - This caste essentially acts as midwives, with most trolls responsible for taking care of the Mother Grub (the being responsible for the reproduction of the troll species) being jadebloods. In the past, this caste was largely female, also took care of infant trolls after their birth, and lived exclusively underground. Although the caste has a cultural distaste for rainbowdrinkers (Homestuck's version of vampires), all known rainbowdrinkers in canon have been jadebloods. According to in-universe stereotypes, they are nurturing and shy, with a tendency toward perfectionism. Canonical examples: Kanaya and Porrim Maryam.
- Teal - Considered a highblood caste, this caste is expected to work as civil servants, specifically in law-adjacent positions. According to in-universe stereotypes, they are charismatic, independent, and possess strong moral codes. Canonical examples: Terezi and Latula Pyrope.
- Cerulean - Also called "cobalt" or "blue," this blood color is considered nobility. They are infrequently psychic and, like yellowbloods, prone to eye mutations and sight-related abilities. In the past, this was a male-dominated caste. According to in-universe stereotypes, they are obsessive, selective in their friendships, and capable of both great good and great harm. Canonical examples: Vriska and Aranea Serket.
- Indigo - Sometimes also referred to as "blue." They are considered nobility and have an institutionalized rivalry with the seadwelling troll castes. They are typically expected to take on elite roles within the Alternian military. According to in-universe stereotypes, they are cheerful and optimistic, but often careless and arrogant. Canonical examples: Equius and Horuss Zahhak.
- Purple - The highest-ranking of the landdwelling trolls, often specifically referred to as "highbloods." Members of this caste typically assume leadership positions among the landdwellers or join Alternia's clown-themed religion. According to in-universe stereotypes, they are hardworking, stubborn, and avoidant. Canonical Examples: Gamzee and Kurloz Makara.
- Violet - The lower-ranking of the two seadweller castes. They are nobles who can do basically whatever they want, and it is normalized for them to act violently towards landdwellers. According to in-universe stereotypes, they are eccentric creatives with bad tempers. Canonical Examples: Eridan and Cronus Ampora.
- Fuchsia - A caste consisting of two individuals, specifically the current ruler of Alternia and their heir. They live for centuries or even millennia, often only dying when they are killed by their heir. Trolls born into this caste are expected to eventually rule Alternia. According to in-universe stereotypes, they are creative, sensitive, and mysterious. Examples: Meenah and Feferi Peixes.
In addition to these colors, mutants exist, with colors that do not conform to the normal hemospectrum. These mutants are generally killed upon discovery and often go to significant lengths to hide their blood color from other trolls. Canonical examples of this include Karkat and Kankri Vantas.[1][2]
Other Useful Notes
According to the comic, blood color in trolls is determined by an ingredient similar to melanin. A character's sign in the trolls' Extended Zodiac is in part determined by blood color. Blood color influences body temperature, with trolls with cool-colored blood having lower body temperatures than those with warm-colored blood. It is also a factor in lifespan, with cool-blooded trolls living much longer than their warm-blooded counterparts. Cool-blooded trolls are also more prone to violence and anger than warm-blooded trolls, a trait which canon establishes as at least partly biological. Fuschia- and violet-blooded trolls are aquatic and possess gills, fins, and other fish-like characteristics; the comic refers to them as "seadwellers." Trolls display their blood color in various ways during their daily life, including by wearing clothing that features their zodiac sign drawn in their blood color and by setting their text to display as their blood color in online messaging apps.
The most common terms used to discuss blood color in Homestuck are "warm-blooded" and "cool-blooded." Characters from the cool end of the hemospectrum may also be referred to as "highblooded" and characters from the warm end as "low-blooded" or "peasant-blooded." "Rustblood" is specifically used to refer to characters with burgundy and bronze blood in the comic, but many fans associate it primarily with the former. A similar situation exists in regards to "blue" being used for both cobaltblooded and indigoblooded characters. [3][4]
In Fanworks
Fanworks often explore the social dynamics created by the hemospectrum and how they compare to types of prejudice that exist in the real world. One fan noted:
The hemospectrum allows conversations on sensitive issues like racism, classism, and sexism to occur in an alien environment that fosters discussion—even if that discussion is centered around the idea that using the hemospectrum instead of human issues was the cop-out it sounds like. And that’s why I like it so much. It makes people ask hard questions, but in an environment where they can be discussed safely.
That said, fans sometimes treat the hemospectrum similarly to Hogwarts Houses, sorting themselves into castes or creating quizzes to do so.[5]
See Also
- Hemospectrum on the MS Paint Adventures wiki
- Hemospectrum works at AO3