Andorian
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Image:Shran.jpg In the fictional Star Trek universe, the Andorians are a species of humanoids native to the planet Andor, placed in Star Trek: Enterprise in the Procyon System. Their defining traits are their blue skin, two cranial antennae, and characteristically white hair.
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Andorian biology
Andorians have several variations, which have been seen on TOS (Star Trek, the Original Series), and on the prequel series Star Trek: Enterprise. As originally portrayed, Andorians were pale blue, thin in stature, usually tall, deceptively soft-spoken (possibly lisping), sported "Prince Valiant"-style white hairdo's, and were represented as having no ears, in favor of their large bony antennae located on the crown of the skull.
However, this point was retconned in Enterprise, where the cranial antennae were small, movable, and on the forehead, with ears visible. Non-canon sources made the case that the "eared" Andorians were in fact a separate species called the Threllvians, supposedly a subservient and conquered race the "Antennae only" Andorians had brought into their sphere of influence centuries ago.
A 1970s technical fiction book, The Starfleet Medical Manual, made the further assertion explaining that the antennae of Andorians indicated that the species were the only known semi-insectoid race in Federation territory. The antennae functioned as both "quadriscopic" vision receptors and for focussed hearing. However, none of these points were ever shown on a Star Trek film or series. Furthermore, the assertion that they were the only semi-insectoid race seems untrue based on the later series Enterprise as the Xindi had an insectoid race (although it could be argued these were a wholly-insectoid race, not a semi-insectoid race, and so may have been excluded).
Hailing from an icy world, Andorians are prone to lose weight in warm climates if they are not properly hydrated. Andorian cities are built underground, to take maximum advantage of geothermal vents in the planet's crust. Andorian military officers routinely carry with them an ice cutting blade similar to those used by ice miners; soldiers routinely use such blades in combat (they disdain the use of beam weapons, as Andorians are vulnerable to infections caused by such weapons).
There are at least two subspecies of Andorians, the "blue skins" who make up the majority of their population, and the reclusive Aenar, who were long considered a myth until contact was first made with the blue skins about 2104. Aenar are blind and have telepathic and telemetric abilities.
Andorians have blue blood. Their antennae are used for gesturing as well as for balance. If cut off, an antenna will grow back after several months. Aenar appear to use their antennae also as telepathic receptors.
Andorian females seem to be taller on average than Andorian males.
Andorian culture
Andorians describe themselves as a violent and warlike species; in the 2150s, their hand weapons did not have a 'stun' setting. Andorians have a concept of a superior being; one portrayal of which was glimpsed at the planet Sha Ka Ree.
Aenar culture is pacifist. There are no formal rulers and leaders are appointed as the need arises.
The Andorians have made several cultural contributions to the Alpha Quadrant. The Andorian Academy of Art is considered the best school of its type. Andorian ale is a potent blue alcoholic beverage. 'Andorian blues' is a style of jazz music that was apparently inspired by this race.
Andorians seen in the background of Star Trek: The Motion Picture wore jewelry featuring prominent geode stones. Women wore kimono-like clothing. They carried a flabbjellah, a combination of weapon and musical instrument.
Andorian history
The first sea-going vessel to successfully circumnavigate Andor was the ice cutter Kumari. Centuries later, a starship of the Andorian Imperial Guard would assume the name of the great vessel.
At some point in their past, Andorians waged an atomic war.
In 1154, Andorians achieved warp travel. (Star Trek Star Charts)
Their first contact with the Vulcans was promising, but relations soured in time. The threat of mutual annihilation existed as early as the 1950s. In the 2060s, the two species held eight-year-long territorial negotiations.
About 2104, blue skins made contact with the Aenar, dispelling their mythological status.
Andorians terraformed a planet called Weytahn, only to have it annexed by the Vulcans. In 2151, the Andorian Imperial Guard uncovered a Vulcan spying station concealed on the monastery world P'Jem.
In 2153, the Imperial Guard sent a ship into the Delphic Expanse in an unsuccessful attempt to capture a Xindi weapon for use against the Vulcans. Andorian Commander Shran proved instrumental in countering a Xindi threat to Earth in 2154.
In 2161, Andorians were one of the founding members of the United Federation of Planets.
In the 2260s, Andorians participated in the Babel Conference, represented in part by Ambassador Shras.
In the 2270s, a number of Andorians joined the crew of the refitted starship Enterprise. In 2291, a painting of a notable Andorian hung in the conference room of the Enterprise-A.
In 2371, Andorian gerontological Doctor Chirurgeon Ghee P'Trell was nominated for the Carrington Award.
Appearances
| # | Episode | Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| 210 | "Journey to Babel" | Orion spy posing as an Andorian frames Sarek for murder |
| 216 | "The Gamesters of Triskelion" | One of the slaves of Triskelion |
| 314 | "Whom Gods Destroy" | One of the Mental patients was Andorian |
| 318 | "The Lights of Zetar" |
| # | Episode | Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| 210 | "Yesteryear" | Spock replaced by Andorian first officer |
| 216 | "The Time Trap" | Andorian on the Elysian Council |
| Episode | Appearance |
|---|---|
| "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" | In crowd at Starfleet Headquarters |
| "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" | On the Federation Council |
| "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier" |
| # | Episode | Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| 316 | "The Offspring" | A young Andorian female is shown as one possible choice of appearance for Data's new child, Lal. |
| 322 | "The Most Toys" | Andorians desire trade with Fajo |
| # | Episode | Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| 107 | "The Andorian Incident" | |
| 115 | "Shadows of P'Jem" | |
| 123 | "Fallen Hero" | |
| 215 | "Cease Fire" | |
| 313 | "Proving Ground" | |
| 409 | "Kir'Shara" | |
| 412 | "Babel One" | |
| 413 | "United" | |
| 414 | "The Aenar" | |
| 418 | "In a Mirror, Darkly" | |
| 419 | "In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II" | |
| 420 | "Demons" | |
| 421 | "Terra Prime" | |
| 422 | "These Are the Voyages..." |