Is Paimon a Deity in Genshin Impact?
Paimon: An Enigma in Genshin Impact
Paimon is something of an enigma with regard to the plot and Teyvat. Nothing is known about her life prior to meeting the Traveler, and even her basic nature is still unclear. It seems that even Paimon herself does not these details. Paimon has implied that she is less than 400 years old. Additionally, she is heavily implied to originate from beyond Teyvat, much like the Traveler.
Despite her omnipresence in marketing and player communication, Paimon is not explicitly described as a deity. Rather, she serves as a guide and companion to the Traveler throughout their adventures in Teyvat, showcasing loyalty and a will to the Traveler’s journey.
Paimon is described as a deuteragonist of Genshin Impact and is known for her bubbly and outgoing personality, often acting like a big sister to the Traveler. Her role as a mascot and her unique traits contribute to her popularity, but her true nature and origins remain mysterious.
- Just a mere theory, but Paimon is probably related to the God of Time in some way, considering she can change time as she pleases.
- However, she can only change time ~23 hours or such, so maybe she was weakened and became a weak form.
- Many theories suggest she is likely a powerful being from Celestia, possibly even a fallen god or a remnant of a primordial god due to hints within the game’s lore.
- She currently acts as a guide to the Traveler with no overt display of godly power in her current form.
Paimon’s past is shrouded in mystery, with no clear explanation of where she came from or how she lost her memories. Several in-game details, like the way her strings seem to extend towards Celestia, hint at a possible connection to the heavenly realm.
Moreover, some theories propose that Paimon is using the Traveler as a puppet to defeat the Unknown God. She is pretending to be powerless, as she can fly yet she falls in the water. There is also a theory suggesting that Paimon may be evil and is either the Unknown God or her servant. The biggest theory around is that of Paimon being the Unknown God, a weakened version, or having gone into hiding as weak.
Theories Behind Paimon’s True Nature
There are several theories surrounding Paimon’s true nature in Genshin Impact:
- According to Fontainian law, Paimon is a kind of balloon. It seems that common people believe Paimon is like Fischl’s familiar Oz – a being of the Traveler’s magic power, speaking for the Traveler’s subconsciousness. At least, that’s what Heizou seems to mean when he said Paimon is the Traveler’s ‘Voice’. However, these theories are generally considered not true.
- Paimon is a demon name from one of the medieval grimoires. All gods have names like this – Barbatos, Morax, Marchosias, and others. The grimoire describes Paimon as one most loyal to Lucifer, loud and helping the summoner make friends. In Genshin Impact, Paimon is loyal to the Traveler instead, and she fits the loudness and making friends parts well.
- Paimon seems to be related to angels, like the seelie and Lord of the Night. She floats around, loves guiding people (the Traveler), and treasures. Furthermore, she seems to love humans (especially important and rich humans) much more than gods or mysterious creatures like the adepti. Perhaps she is the mythical Ancestor Seelie that an outlander once tried to marry, or maybe she is their child.
- Another theory is that Paimon is actually one of the Four Shining Shades, specifically the Shade of Time, Istaroth. She may have used up all her power and shrunk, similar to what happened to Gyoba and Rukkadevata. Evidence ing this theory includes her finishing up Venti’s ‘Seeds of stories, brought by the wind and nurtured by time’ in an event. Additionally, her map does not show the island with Istaroth’s temple, and notably, the Paimon Menu allows us to manipulate time a little.
- Alternatively, she could be the weakened form of the primordial one, the god who created the Teyvat we know and love today. The primordial one was said to have a crown and wings and defeated the seven dragon sovereigns to pave the land for the arrival of humans. Interestingly, you can’t spell primordial one without Paimon.
- The most popular theory about Paimon is that she is the diminutive form of the Unknown God, who got tangled up in her traps against the Travelers and seemingly banished herself to Teyvat. If this is the case, Paimon would be a small, more innocent version of the Unknown God we saw at the start.
- A lot of people suspect that Paimon is somehow connected to the Unknown God or the primordial one. Thinking this is understandable.
Paimon: Guide or Deceptive Entity?
Paimon in Genshin Impact:
Paimon is presented as the player’s guide, acting as a companion who helps navigate the world of Teyvat. However, many fans theorize that she might be more than just a helpful guide and could be hiding a deeper, potentially deceptive agenda. This is based on:
- Lack of Knowledge: Despite being introduced as a knowledgeable guide, Paimon often lacks information about important lore details or significant events within Teyvat, especially in later game areas.
- Unclear Origins: Her backstory and true identity are shrouded in mystery, with no clear explanation of how she came to be or why she is so focused on helping the Traveler.
- Suspiciously Convenient Abilities: Some players point to her ability to fly and seemingly teleport without a Vision, suggesting hidden powers that she might not be fully disclosing.
- Potential Connection to Higher Powers: Theories link her name to a demon in Western mythology, and some speculate she could be connected to Celestia or another unknown celestial entity.
In addition, gameplay functionally, Paimon serves as a way to deliver exposition and explain game mechanics to the player, which is a core function of a guide character.
Despite these potential mysteries, Paimon shows genuine care and concern for the Traveler throughout the game.
Nonetheless, while the theories are intriguing, there is currently no definitive proof within the game that confirms Paimon is actively deceiving the player.
In a related instance, Paimon suggests checking in with Katheryne for any commissions to keep themselves busy. When they arrive, Katheryne offers strange commissions, causing the realization that they’re actually talking to the archon instead.
Moreover, Paimon is shocked to discover a high-ranking Harbinger in Sumeru, and that the Fatui were also involved in the sages’ plot.
Tighnari advises the Traveler to not give up. He relays the last message Nahida could leave behind, in code: “Even in a moonless night, a shower of starlight can still drown out illusions and lies.”
Finally, Paimon reveals that he heard the commotion and helped them defeat the assassins.
Paimon vs Unknown God: What’s the Connection?
Paimon could be the diminutive form of the Unknown God. It is believed that the Unknown God somehow got trapped in Paimon’s form while trying to trap the Travelers. This theory suggests that Paimon is a smaller and more innocent version of the Unknown God.
Additionally, some theories propose that Paimon could be a spy or agent of the Unknown God, tasked with keeping tabs on the Travelers. There is a possibility that the Unknown God is accompanying the Traveler in the form of Paimon as a disguise. This theory suggests that Paimon is the best disguise for the Unknown God since the sibling would never suspect their constant travel partner.
Moreover, the Unknown God is named “Asmoday” in the game files of Genshin Impact. The Unknown God, or possibly the God often referred to as the Heavenly Principles, is the character most frequently suspected as Paimon’s true identity. The Heavenly Principles are Gods who govern all things related to Teyvat and the natural laws that apply in that world.
It is unknown if the gods in Genshin Impact can have children; however, it is possible that Paimon could be related to the Unknown God biologically. She can also be some kind of spy for the Unknown God, meant to keep tabs on the player, whether she knows it or not.
The exact relationship between the Unknown God and Paimon is not explicitly stated in the game. However, the link between Paimon and the Unknown God begins with their first appearances to the player. The two share many visual similarities with each other and the strange, magical structures seen across Genshin Impact’s world of Teyvat.
Exploring Paimon’s Role as the God of Time
Exploring Paimon’s Role as the God of Time
Istaroth is the god of wind and time in Genshin Impact. She is primarily worshiped in the underground region of Enkanomiya and has played a significant role in the lore of other regions like Inazuma and Mondstadt.
She is known by several titles, including Tokoyo Ookami, Undying Wind, and the God of Moments. Istaroth, also known as Kairos—a Greek word meaning ‘right time’—is recognized as the Ruler of Time among the Four Shades of the Heavenly Principles.
In Enkanomiya, after the island fell into the depths, only Istaroth continued to answer the pleas and prayers of its people. There were ‘scribes of Tokoyo Ookami’ who dedicated themselves to recording history and the age of time in the lightless land. Istaroth’s power of ‘undying wind’ was recognized as one of the major elements in Enkanomiya, along with the Bathysmal Vishaps’ ‘water.’
Enkanomiyans practiced the Sentou Ceremony, which was capable of dispelling the abyssal Void Realm’s darkness by gathering light in the Bokuso Box. The Light Realm Sigils used to upgrade it are said to bear a mark symbolizing Tokoyo Ookami’s recognition.
In Mondstadt, Istaroth’s legacy has been preserved primarily through the phrase ‘winds of time.’ The carvings on the sundials at the Thousand Winds Temple and the Nameless Island leave messages associated with both her and Barbatos. During the quest ‘Time and Wind,’ a faint voice is heard saying, ‘An ancient tale comes whisked in the wind… In time, it will grow and sprout once again…’ while fighting an Eye of the Storm by the Sundial near the Thousand Winds Temple.
Several fan theories claim that Paimon is Kairos; however, it is too early to believe in such theories without supplanting evidence. The most popular theory about Paimon is that she is the diminutive form of the Unknown God, who somehow got tangled up in her traps against the Travelers and seemingly serves as a guide. This idea also suggests that Paimon might be a descendant of the god of time.
In some of the lore around the Temple of a Thousand Winds, it is mentioned that at one point both the God of Wind and the God of Time were worshipped there; however, the God of Time was ironically less prominent.
