Xenidens
Xenidens are a concept that are a parallel to xenogenders, functioning to serve as a label of identification for someone who feels that what the identify with or express themselves as is something unrelated to their core gender identity. The exact meaning of what a xeniden means to a person is up to them, but encompasses everything but their gender itself.
Xenidens cover a range of personal identifiers, including interests, hobbies, aesthetics and themes, external presentation, outfits or makeup, or behavior. The only thing that xenidens do not inherently cover or speak for is gender.
This term is meant to allow users to conceptually and "cleanly" separate gender identifiers and identifiers that contribute to their identity that isn't inherently about their gender.
Some definitions of xenogenders may include both the figurative and literal meaning of the term (such as oceangender both referring to having a gender with endless depths OR as your gender/personal connection literally being related to the ocean) but xenidens are a way to explicitly state the difference between these two experiences.
This carrd will elaborate on these meanings and usages of these words.
What does gender mean?
Modern western society determines the gender of a person based on their interests, presentation, behavior, and sometimes their body itself. Stereotypes of genders help strangers identify things about a person. If someone looks like a woman, (soft features, long hair, short body, etc) then one may associate "feminine" traits to them based off this assumption. One might assume their pronouns, interests and hobbies, aesthetic preferences, and behavoirs.
These stereotypes of course are not always accurate, and merely serve as a shortcut to learn these traits about a person. We all are constantly making unconscious assumptions about people based on stereotypes we have learned as a result of simply living in modern society. The external features we see from a person help us understand them quicker and easier. Given the growing culture of being gender nonconforming and creating flexibility between gender roles, these assumptions are gradually becoming less important in interacting with people.
As such, a man may present with feminine features or otherwise look like a woman, but still, internally, be a man. He may use he/him pronouns and identify wholey and completely as a male, but his external features and/or interests may be more heavily attributable to our ideals of a female. People around him may assume that he is a woman or maybe he is trans, but his core gender and his presentation and interests are, for him personally, unconnected. This is one example of gender nonconformity.
What we typically consider to be gender, more often than not, comes down to the traits that we feel and express. What does feeling like a man really mean? What does feeling like a woman really mean? What does feeling nonbinary mean?
These stereotypes, feelings, and traits of a person are what are traditionally defined as "gender." Though it's more complex than that, that is what it can be seen as on the surface.
For most people, their core ideal of their own gender and presentation and expression may be deeply intertwined. But gender nonconformity exists on a multi-axis spectrum, of which anyone can lie at any point on it. This includes trans and xenic people. A person's percieved gender nonconformity, for them, could be completely unrelated to what they feel is their gender, being entirely separate as a whole. And for those folk, this is where idens and xenidens come in.
Xeniden is a term that exploits that spectrum to it's fullest potential, allowing for more wiggle room to label and express a part of one's identity that they feel is unrelated to their gender itself. Someone may be a woman and identify as female, but be masciden; their traits, interests, aesthetics, and expression being (traditionally) masculine in nature. Given that, though, it is completely unrelated to their core gender, being female, or as a woman.
There are of course words to label people who do express themselves this way (such as butch, tomboy, masc or transmasc, etc) but this is only another option for someone to use that may be part of a broader web of meaning, being strictly separate from the traditional concept of gender itself. It is the name of another facet of ourselves that some may have used the term "gender" for out of lack of a more accurate option. It may also be considered another way to indicate being GNC if one wishes, but can still apply to gender conforming people. You may also be any variant of agender and have a xeniden at the same time, given they are not on the same spectrum.
Usage
Idens or xenidens are strictly term-conforming. You cannot be stariden and in no way identify with anything related to stars, or consider the stariden to mean a connection directly to plants rather than stars. This, unfortunately, dissolves the meaning behind idens. They are intended to be relatively literal and straightforward.
That doesn't mean you can't be considering your options or changing things around based on how you're feeling. Questioning or changing what your iden is is perfectly acceptable!
As an example:
Genderbee is described as "A xenogender which is based around the feeling of being free and peaceful but also a feeling of protection and pain. Genderbee is also connected to bees, rather it be a literal connection to the animal, or a metaphorical connection to the freedom they represent."
This is an example of how not all meanings of xenogenders may inherently connect to the noun used in the name or definition.
The counterpart that could be used along with genderbee would be "beeiden," indicating a literal connection to the creature and it's aesthetics and traits. A person who is beeiden might enjoy the color yellow, honey, literal bees themselves, flowers and plants, etc. They may also be bright and lively, protective, and loyal.
Though the exact definition and expression may vary from person to person, using the term "beeiden" would be a shortcut to indicating how this person may like to present themselves or their interests.
Idens don't have to be strictly external, though. Idens can also encompass intention and aesthetics, and may be private to a person. Idens have a spectrum of meaning that can cover any and every topic. They may be used with or without core gendered terms. They may also be used by non-trans people. They are, as a whole, just a way to indicate self expression that does not inherently have to relate to one's gender.
Intention
Xenidens are not a way to erase or replace xenogenders. It is a way for users to expand the terms they use and help better understand eachother if they so choose to use the terms.
A xenic person does not have to use xenidens if they do not choose to do so. Xenidens are self-identifiers and a form of communication and linguistical shortcuts; conveying a lot of information in a short amount of time.
Xenidens were made independently by its coiner. The coiner did not know of or have intentions to replicate the meaning of "xenids" or "xeno identities." Xenidens are not based on any external factors, and were brainstormed in 2020. Xenidens are mogai and xenogender inclusive. One can be both xenogender or mogai and use xeniden terms.
Xenidens can be used by anyone of any gender, sexuality, or belief, as long as the term is used in good faith. This includes neurotypical, cis, and heterosexual people if they so choose.
You may have multiple xenidens, or identify with none at all. Your xeniden may or may not be similar to, conform to, or relate to your gender. Some xenidens may be "stronger" or "weaker" for you, or bigger/smaller or less/more significant. It is all up to the user to determine how they will use or express their own xeniden.
Xenidens can be personally coined by anyone who wants to use one, or shared.
Xenidens are completely hoarder-friendly.
Xenidens can shift and change both voluntarily and involuntarily.
Examples
These are a few examples of xenidens. Xenidens don't have a strict description and can always vary based on the person using them. The noun in the name is meant to be a good baseline for the iden's meaning, and is intended to be relatively clear.
Forestiden
A presentation that involves green colors, forest-y scents and messy hair. You may be stern but loving, like to go outside or into woodlands, and your interests and hobbies may be naturalistic in nature.
Skyiden
A presentation that involves light blues and whites, fluffy or soft things like clouds, or tones related to the sunrise and sunsets. You may also change your presentation periodically to represent the day and night sky. Your interests may involve flying animals and things, clouds and weather, kite flying, or even astronomy.
Wolfiden
A presentation involving greys and browns, fur, and wolf-related features such as a tail and ears, sharp teeth, and a preference for meat. You may love the outdoors, being in communities (especially with other wolfidens,) and be protective.
Earthiden
A presentation featuring browns, greens, greys, and other earth tones, enjoying rocks and minerals, soil and sand, plants, and earth dwelling creatures such as moles. Your interests may be related to geology or plants. You may be stoic or tough.
Dragoniden
A presentation involving shiny things, scaled textures, lizard-like features, powerful or elegant traits, and other dragon-like attributes. Associated with hoarding of valuables, shiny things, and being vague & mystical.
Conclusion
Overall, xenidens are meant to be just another word people can use to express themselves. They are just another shortcut that can be used to show who we are. Xenidens can be used by anyone and everyone, and can be a supplement to other personal identifiers.
This carrd may be updated & edited in the future for additional notes & clarification. Last updated as of February, 2022.