September 29th marks the birthday of Nicole Rain in Genshin Impact —a silent witch, a voiceless angel, and, judging by the number of stories she can tell, a walking encyclopedia of Teyvat.
According to the lore, she is one of the ancient Angels created by the Celestial Principles, and after the fall of the angels, she retained her human form at the cost of her voice and some of her powers. Her official teaser directly connects Nicole’s fate with the fall of the Celestial Envoys and emphasizes one crucial detail: a human heart remains within her.
Nicole’s birthday in Genshin coincided with the Feast of the Archangels
The first reference is easiest to spot: September 29th is associated in Christian tradition with the archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. In the Catholic Church, it is the common feast of the three archangels, and in the Anglican tradition, the date is known as St. Michael and All Angels’ Day—Michaelmas.
It’s a rather obvious coincidence: the developers give a character whose concept is almost entirely built around the image of an angel a birthday on a date that, in the real world, is dedicated to archangels and angels. And then things get even more interesting.
September 29 is World Heart Day
Another interesting fact about September 29 is World Heart Day. The World Heart Federation has designated this date as an annual campaign since 2011.
And what’s most important in Nicole’s story? The heart. After falling from heaven, Nicole was left with a single, beating human heart in her chest. Previously, we were dealing with a celestial being, but then the character became literally connected to human nature.
What does Mister Nine have to do with this?
The holiday letter contains another delightful detail. Instead of simply writing it herself, Nicole mentions Mr. Nine, who insisted she actually sit down and write the letter properly, rather than just transmitting her thoughts directly to the Traveler. And this is a direct reference to her connection to the world of literature.
Mr. Nine is the author behind “Princess Fischl’s Flowers,” and Nicole’s story repeatedly intersects with writing, fairy tales, and the stories she creates. She constantly retells ancient events as stories, and her character is literally built around the role of observer and storyteller. Therefore, even a simple holiday letter becomes a small extension of her lore.