Dark Souls’ Most Wholesome Gesture
“Praise the Sun,” the signature gesture of Dark Souls character Solaire of Astora, became gaming’s most beloved emote and a symbol of cooperation in a punishingly difficult game. The image of a knight raising arms in praise became synonymous with Dark Souls, appearing in cosplay, fan art, and even as a gesture in other games.
Solaire of Astora
Solaire was an NPC knight wearing distinctive sun-emblazoned armor who could be summoned to help players fight bosses. In a game notorious for difficulty and loneliness, Solaire represented jolly cooperation. His philosophical sun-worship and cheerful demeanor provided comic relief amid Dark Souls’ grim world.
His gesture—raising both arms above his head in Y-shape while declaring “Praise the Sun!”—became iconic. Players adopted it, performing the emote after difficult victories, before PvP battles, or simply to greet other players. The gesture communicated joy, triumph, and camaraderie.
The Community Symbol
“Praise the Sun” transcended Dark Souls to become shorthand for:
- Celebrating victories over difficult challenges
- Greeting fellow Souls fans
- Expressing optimism in dark situations
- Grossly incandescent appreciation
The phrase and gesture appeared in cosplay at conventions, with groups performing synchronized sun-praising. Fan artists depicted Solaire and the gesture endlessly. Other games included Easter egg references (Fortnite added a Praise the Sun emote).
Why It Resonated
Dark Souls’ difficulty made cooperation precious. Solaire embodied the helpful stranger—the friendly NPC summon who helped you when stuck. His tragic questline (searching for his own sun, potentially going insane) gave the sun-praising depth. Players praised the sun to honor Solaire, celebrate cooperative victories, and embrace the absurdity of worshipping a bright ball in a game about dying repeatedly.
The gesture became so iconic that Hidetaka Miyazaki acknowledged it influenced how FromSoftware designed co-op and gestures in subsequent games. Every Souls game includes a similar “praise” gesture.
Source: Dark Souls game and community analysis, convention coverage, FromSoftware interviews