When you sit down to worldbuild, it is easy to focus on maps, magic systems, and technology. Yet, there is something just as important. It breathes life into your world: Culture.
Culture is more than the design of your clothes and the food you eat. It is how your world is shaped. When creating a fictional world, it is easy to overlook this. Admittedly, a world is not whole without culture. In this guide, I will break down what culture is and how you can start worldbuilding culture.
What Does It Mean to Worldbuild Culture?
Worldbuilding culture means shaping the way people live in your fiction.
It includes their:
- Beliefs and values
- Traditions and customs
- Social norms
- Languages
- Arts
- Power structures
Culture is the shared beliefs and practices of your characters. Who they are. How did they grow up? Everything is rooted in their culture. It is inseparable from their identity. How they speak, think, and consequently, it shapes the plot. Therefore, do not take it for granted. If you dismiss how culture shapes your characters and plot, it can feel bland and artificial.
Why Is Culture Important in Worldbuilding?
You can have the most stunning map, create a complicated magic system, or otherworldly technology. However, if your characters do not seem like they are from that world. It will feel like an act.
A rich culture lays the foundation for the story. It makes it feel like your character grew up there instead of being placed there at page one. For example, a girl chosen to bring balance to the world will not seem believable if she behaves exactly like a modern-day teenage girl. It would be strange for her to dress like someone who has no care in the world except for being late for school.
Building a great culture means adding depth and conflict. Would you have read a book about a world where everything was perfect? For most people, that is a no. Culturally based conflict could be:
Create tension between characters from different regions or backgrounds
Challenge characters to break cultural norms or question what they have been taught
Add meaning to innocent actions. For instance, plucking red flowers means plotting someone’s death.
Important Aspects of Worldbuilding Culture
Here are some core elements to consider:
Values and Beliefs
What does your society value most? Strength, honor, or family? Beliefs can be regional, spiritual, or political. It is what people think is right and focus on. Values are important and personal. You can ask yourself: What do people believe about the world, and how does that shape their behavior?
Traditions
Traditions are customs that people strongly believe in. They can be holidays they celebrate, marriage, or death rituals. Tradition connects people from different generations and is deeply rooted in one’s identity. Traditions do not have to be widely practised. It can be something small a family does occasionally, like eating cake at the end of each month.
Language
Language is how people communicate, and it tells much about a society. In some cultures, it is rude to be direct. Other people use short and informative ways to communicate. People tend to speak differently depending on the situation. Some languages are formal, others rely on slang. It is not necessary to create a whole new language, but rather to add idioms or gestures they use. Also, keep in mind that languages vary from location to location.
Social Norms
Social norms are the unwritten rules of a society. For example, holding the door open if someone is behind you. It is not a law, but it is often treated as such. Think about what is considered rude, respectful, or taboo. Are there clear gender roles? How are status and class handled? We can take inspiration from our reality. In Australia, it is emphasised that everyone is equal. In the USA, it is more acceptable to pursue a higher goal. Rules tell us what is normal and what is rebellious.
Art
Art is something every culture has. What type of music do they listen to? What kind of architecture is popular? Art reflects values. A timid society might value quiet music and formal clothing. A more casual culture will prefer comforting clothes and happy music. You can also consider who has access to art. Is it preserved for the wealthy, or can anyone create or acquire art?
How to Write Culture Simply
Here is a simple approach to writing culture:
Step One: Ask Why
Regardless of whether it is fashion or a tradition, ask why. Ask where it came from. Why do people still do that? Asking questions can give you a new perspective on how your world works.
Step Two: Think Layers
Once you have a specific belief or tradition, consider how it affects various aspects of their lives. For example, if you value nature. They may pass things down and are more conscious of their consumerism.
Step Three: Use Characters
Instead of info-dumping, you can use characters to convey your culture. Let the characters act according to their culture. Show them practising traditions, breaking social norms, or disagreeing with their own culture. You will be surprised by how much information you can communicate subtly.
Step Four: Contrast Culture
If your world has multiple regions or species. Make the culture distinct. You can also base it on their location. A population in a humid and warm climate might sleep outside at night. While, on the other hand, a population in a cold climate would huddle by the fire. In the real world, we have various practices that are influenced by our culture. It will be realistic and relatable if you incorporate how alien another culture might feel.
Worldbuilding Culture Worksheet
Do you feel stuck and need help getting started? I will list some general prompts to help you begin:
What does your society fear or try to avoid?
Do people follow a daily ritual?
What are the beauty standards?
How do people show respect or disrespect?
Who is considered an outsider, and why?
What is a common saying, and what does it reveal?
Do different kinds of objects or colors carry special meaning?
What would be considered rebellious behavior?
Do people believe in an afterlife, and if they do, what kind?
Bringing Worldbuilding Culture to Life
Worldbuilding culture is an important part of outlining. Culture is the shared beliefs and practices of a group. Everyone in some way is a part of a culture. So are your characters. This includes everything from how they dress to what decisions they make that will affect the plot. Culture shapes the characters and the story. Things like location and climate also influence the culture. If you take a step back and look at the whole picture, culture is essentially a living thing that lives in every part of a story.
There are different approaches to worldbuilding culture. This is a generalized version for beginners. There is no right way to take up this task. Therefore, write. Open the document and get started.
