Tlön, Uqbar, and Orbis Tertius

"Ursprache"

"Brave New World"

Multiple pages are dedicated to the explanation of the "Ursprache" of Tlön, a language which is based in fictional literature, yet has a profound influence on Uqbar's culture as a whole. However, Uqbar is also fictional, so this fictional language seems to be representative of the fictional nature of the Uqbar society.

"Heresiarch"

"Encyclopedia"

"Brave new world" is used in an ironic sense to call on the ignorance of both the readers and the narrator. Additionally, the narrator suggests, at the time of using this phrase, that this must be the work of a "secret society", connecting the idea of this world with the foreshadowing of a secret society yet to be discovered. Also, the ironic use of this phrase could also be indicative of dangers that its creators aren't even aware of.

"Heresiarch" is used to describe some kind of critic of Tlönian culture and philosophy. However, because the secret society is responsible for the creation of Uqbar (and thus Tlön), it is arguable that the secret society is also responsible for the creation of any "heresiarch".

Language and Society

The narrator and his friend discuss the weirdness of a mirror, which ultimately leads to the quote from The Anglo-American Cyclopaedia. However, when the friends discuss the mirror, they feel uneasy and appalled by it, because it seems creepy. The encyclopedia, instead, refers to mirrors as a device that furthers the "illusion" of the universe (18).

The odd and unnerving nature of mirrors is something that both the narrator and the section of the encyclopedia discussing Uqbar agree upon. For this detail to be present in the encyclopedia, it must have significance. And the significance of the mirrors in Uqbar points toward the fact that it is manmade, for the creators and the narrator have come to the same conclusion about mirrors.

Tlön, Uqbar, and Orbis Tertius

The duodecimal system, although only mentioned a few times, is clearly a key part of not only Tlönian culture, but the creation of Tlön, Uqbar, and Orbis Tertius in their entirety. The duodecimal system was mentioned in reference to Tlönian lore, as well as in reference to one of the secret society members. The duodecimal system has significance in the society of the people who created Tlön, just as much as it has meaning in Tlön itself.

"Mirror"

The indication of the phrase "brave new world" suggests a world that appears outwardly vastly different from its insides. At first it appears to be a marvel, however, under further examination, it is shown to be a potential danger to society. It is made clear that the "Orbis Tertius", as an encyclopedia, a society, and/or a world, is very much responsible for this danger.

"Benevolent secret society"

It is hinted at that this benevolent secret society uses the duodecimal system, as one of the footnotes mentions that a century (when referencing Tlön) is equal to 144 years, rather than 100. Additionally, Herbert Ashe is mentioned to have used it, as he was shown to be transcribing tables.

"Orbis Tertius" is used twice, and has two different connotations each time it's used. The first time is in reference to the name of an encyclopedia the secret society created, and the second time hints at the fact that the society/the dimension that Uqbar/Tlön resides in may be called "Orbis Tertis".

"Orbis Tertius"

"Duodecimal system"