Page "Eldar (Warhammer 40,000)" Paragraph 14

The Eldar, like other races in Warhammer 40, 000, take their current state from various cultures.

The Eldar naming-schemes are typically derived from Gaelic ( Irish ).

Some examples are the craftworlds Saim-Hann, Ulthwé, Biel-Tan, Alaitoc, etc.

The Eldar background and persona are heavily derived from The Lord of the Rings elves, in that both are lithe humanoids with pointed ears, having superb reflexes and speed, having keen senses and are extremely seclusive and arrogant.

This is in addition to both being near extinction and having organic / nature inspired looking crafts of all sorts.

Their weaponry and fighting style is pulled largely from Japanese Samurai and Bushido, in that any non-conscript Eldar Warrior attends Aspect Shrines ( similar to Dojos dedicated to specific fighting styles / strategies ) in order to learn war / fighting as an art.

Many of their weapons also use shuriken, such as their shuriken catapults and shuriken cannons.

The leaders ( Exarches / Phoenix Lord ) of the aspect known as the Dire Avengers even wear Sashimonos ( suspended flags worn on the soldier's back ) decorated with their particular shrine's emblem and colors.

The specific names of many of the Aspects ( and some non-aspect units ) follow the eastern martial art " convention " of naming their fighting style after animals.

Examples include: Fire Dragons, Striking Scorpions, Howling Banshees, Swooping Hawks, Falcons and Warp Spiders.