Here in San Diego, there’s an area of stunning natural beauty (with sheer sandy cliffs plunging through gauzy golden light to a streaky cobalt sea) which the Spanish conquistadors called La Jolla, or “The Jewel.” Â The street grid of an adjacent area of the city, built in the mid 20th century, bears names such as “Garnet” and “Emerald” and “Diamond.”
You see this convention a lot. Â Sometimes it’s effective, as in
Kirin: A mystical unicorn from Japan.*
Sometimes, not so much.
Kashi: A spirit from Angola, that appears good, but is secretly evil. Â Once it lures you in with its false promises, you can never escape.*
What a way to market natural foods!
*(from The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures by John and Caitlin Matthews)
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