Editing Vulcan (Star Trek)

{{Redirect|Vulcans||Vulcan (disambiguation){{!}}Vulcan}}
{{short description|Fictional extraterrestrial species in Star Trek}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Vulcan (''Star Trek'')}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{inuniverse|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox fictional race
| name               = Vulcans
| image              = Spock and T'Pring.jpg
| caption            = [[Leonard Nimoy]] and [[Arlene Martel]] portray male and female Vulcans.
| series             = [[Star Trek]]
| home_world         = [[#Homeworld|Vulcan]]
| genre              = [[Science fiction]]
| language           = Vulcan, Vuhlkansu, High Vulcan
|quadrant= Beta, Alpha
|capital=ShiKahr
| affiliation        = [[United Federation of Planets]]
| first_major        = [[Star Trek: The Original Series]]
| first_minor        = [[The Cage (Star Trek: The Original Series)|The Cage]]
| creator            = [[Gene Roddenberry]]
| religion           = Vulcan philosophy and tradition
| first_date         = 1965, unaired
| other_names        = Vulcanians
}}
'''Vulcans''', sometimes referred to as '''Vulcanians''',<ref>{{cite episode | title = Court Martial | episode-link = Court Martial (Star Trek: The Original Series) | series = Star Trek: The Original Series | series-link = Star Trek: The Original Series | season = 1 | number = 20 | time = 17:44 | quote = I am half Vulcanian. Vulcanians do not speculate.}}</ref> are a fictional [[Extraterrestrial life|extraterrestrial]] [[humanoid]] species in the ''[[Star Trek]]'' [[media franchise]].  They are noted for their strict adherence to [[logic]] and [[reason]] and suppression of emotion. Known for their pronounced eyebrows and pointed ears, they originate from the fictional planet [[#Homeworld|Vulcan]]. In the ''Star Trek'' universe, they were the first extraterrestrial species to make [[first contact (science fiction)|contact]] with humans.

The most notable Vulcan character is [[Spock]], first played by actor [[Leonard Nimoy]] in ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]'' (1966–1969). Some aspects of this fictional alien race that have entered popular culture are their pointy ears, the [[Vulcan salute]], the [[Vulcan nerve pinch]], and their adherence to logical thinking and disdain for emotion. 

A 2019 journal article, ''Science Fiction and the Abolition of Man'' argued that many science fiction characters such as Vulcans of ''Star Trek'' are based on the ideas of ''[[The Abolition of Man]]'' by [[C. S. Lewis]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Jensen |first=Randall M. |date=April 2019 |editor-last=Boone |editor-first=Mark J. |editor2-last=Neece |editor2-first=Kevin C. |title=Mark J. Boone and Kevin C. Neece (eds), Science Fiction and the Abolition of Man: Finding C.S. Lewis in Sci-Fi Film and Television |url=https://www.euppublishing.com/doi/10.3366/ink.2019.0029 |journal=Journal of Inklings Studies |language=en |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=70–73 |doi=10.3366/ink.2019.0029 |issn=2045-8797}}</ref> 

==Development==
{{Main|Development of Spock}}
[[Image:Leonard Nimoy (5773917995).jpg|right|thumb|Nimoy demonstrating the [[Priestly Blessing|Blessing gesture]] he said was the inspiration for the Vulcan salute]]
The Vulcan Mister Spock first appeared in the original 1965 ''Star Trek'' pilot, "[[The Cage (Star Trek: The Original Series)|The Cage]]", shown to studio executives. Show creator [[Gene Roddenberry]] revealed in 1964 that he wanted an alien as part of the ship's crew, but knew that budget restraints would limit make-up choices. He chose actor [[Leonard Nimoy]] because of his "high Slavic cheekbones and interesting face" and "with those cheekbones some sort of pointed ear might go well." Nimoy later commented that Roddenberry felt the presence of an alien would "establish that we were in the 23rd century and that interplanetary travel was an established fact."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/oral-history-star-trek-180958779/ |title=An Oral History of "Star Trek" |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=May 2016 |publisher=[[Smithsonian (magazine)|Smithsonian Magazine]] |access-date=August 4, 2021 }}</ref>

==Vulcan salute==
{{Main|Vulcan salute}}
The Vulcan salutation is that of the Jewish priestly blessing: a hand gesture consisting of a raised hand with the palm forward and the thumb extended, while the fingers are parted between the middle and ring finger. Typically, the phrase "live long and prosper" is uttered when making the salute, adapting the priestly blessing "may the Lord bless you and keep you." An appropriate reply would be to return the gesture and utter either "live long and prosper", or "peace and long life".

==Biology==
===Physical characteristics===
Vulcans are depicted as similar in appearance to humans, as budget constraints in ''The Original Series'' did not allow for elaborate make-up.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/star-trek-alien-races-completely-changed/ |title=Star Trek: 20 Alien Races That Completely Changed (And It Made No Sense) |last=Baird |first=Scott |date=February 14, 2019 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |access-date=August 4, 2021 }}</ref> All Vulcans have arched and upswept eyebrows and [[pointy ears]]. [[White people|White]] actors portraying Vulcans are given a yellowish hue to their [[skin]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://newrepublic.com/article/136634/star-trek-almost-failed-launch |title=How Star Trek Almost Failed to Launch |last=Dyson |first=Benedict Stephen |date=September 8, 2016 |publisher=[[The New Republic]] |access-date=August 4, 2021 }}</ref> A Vulcan's on-screen blood is green due to copper-based [[hemocyanin]]. Vulcans are said to possess an inner eyelid, or [[nictitating membrane]], which protects their vision from bright light, an evolutionary trait developed due to the fictional planet Vulcan being so close to its sun.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Operation -- Annihilate!|episode-link=Operation -- Annihilate!|series=Star Trek: The Original Series|series-link=Star Trek: The Original Series|season=2|number=19}}</ref><ref name="Star Trek p83">{{cite episode|title=The Forge|episode-link=The Forge (Star Trek: Enterprise)|series=Star Trek: Enterprise|series-link=Star Trek: Enterprise|season=4|number=7}}</ref> In addition, their heart is located on the right side of the torso, between the ribs and pelvis; as [[Leonard McCoy|Dr. McCoy]] once says about Spock after the Vulcan has been shot through the chest: "Lucky his heart's where his liver should be, or he'd be dead now."<ref>{{cite episode|title=A Private Little War|episode-link=A Private Little War (Star Trek: The Original Series)|series=Star Trek: The Original Series|series-link=Star Trek: The Original Series|season=2|number=19}}</ref>

===Diet===
Vulcans are [[Vegetarianism|vegetarians]] by choice and were [[omnivore]]s in ages past.<ref>In the [[Star Trek: The Original Series|''Star Trek'' original series (''TOS'')]] episode "[[All Our Yesterdays (Star Trek: The Original Series)|All Our Yesterdays]]", Spock willingly consumes meat; partly as a result of the effects of time travel 5,000 years into the past.  Vulcans are repeatedly stated to be  [[Herbivore|herbivorous]] in the ''[[Star Trek: The Animated Series|TAS]]'' episode "[[The Slaver Weapon]]", by the carnivorous [[Kzin]]ti.</ref> It is a Vulcan custom for guests in the home to prepare meals for their hosts.<ref>''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'' episode: "Home"</ref>

Vulcans are said to not drink alcohol, though they are often depicted as doing so.<ref>''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]'' episode "[[Repression (Star Trek: Voyager)|Repression]]", humans and Vulcans are shown drinking a Vulcan alcoholic drink called "Vulcan [[Brandy]]". In the ''TOS'' episode "[[The Enterprise Incident]]", as part of his diversionary role during an espionage mission against the [[Romulan]]s, Spock shares a drink known as Romulan ale with the female Romulan commander. In a later ''TOS'' episode "[[Requiem for Methuselah]]", Spock specifically requests a [[Saurian]] brandy after [[Leonard McCoy|Dr. McCoy]], while serving himself and [[James T. Kirk|Captain Kirk]], observes that he had no expectation that Spock would be joining them in a drink for fear that the alcohol would affect his logic faculties. Spock claims that he wants a brandy because he is experiencing an unaccustomed envy for his host's artwork. In ''[[Star Trek: First Contact]]'', when the Vulcans first meet [[Zefram Cochrane]], Cochrane serves them alcoholic beverages, which they take in lieu of dancing.</ref>

In an episode of ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'', [[Quark (Star Trek)|Quark]] alludes to Vulcans becoming inebriated by ingesting [[chocolate]].<ref>[[The Maquis (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)]] offers a Vulcan client some Vulcan Port or chocolate</ref> This is confirmed in the novelisation of [[Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home]]. Kirk buys some candy to get change for the bus. When he gives one to Spock, Spock asks if it contains sucrose. When Kirk asks why, Spock tells him that sucrose has the same effect on Vulcans as alcohol has on humans.

The first draft of an episode of ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]'' mentions that Vulcan coffee is poisonous to humans.

===Mating drive===
Every seven years, Vulcan males and females experience an overpowering [[hormone]] imbalance known as pon farr. Once triggered, a Vulcan must have [[sexual intercourse]] with someone or the chemical imbalance may cause insanity, loss of self-control, and death.<ref>Star Trek:TOS "Amok Time"</ref>

Despite popular opinion, ''TOS'' writer and story editor, [[D. C. Fontana]], insists that pon farr is not the only time that Vulcans feel sexual desire or engage in sexual activity:

<blockquote>Vulcans mate normally any time they want to. However, every seven years you do the ritual, the ceremony, the whole thing. The biological urge. You must, but any other time is any other emotion—humanoid emotion—when you're in love. When you want to, you know when the urge is there, you do it. This every-seven-years business was taken too literally by too many people who don't stop and understand. We didn't mean it only every seven years. I mean, every seven years would be a little bad, and it would not explain the Vulcans of many different ages that are not seven years apart.<ref>Edward Gross, Mark E. Altman, ''Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages'', Little Brown & Co, 1995. p. 53</ref></blockquote>

If a mate is not available, there are other ways to relieve the effects of the pon farr, including [[meditation]], violence,<ref>''[[Star Trek: Voyager|Voyager]]'' episode "[[Blood Fever (Star Trek: Voyager)|Blood Fever]]", when [[B'Elanna Torres]] and [[Vorik|Ensign Vorik]] fight in the traditional Vulcan manner. The violence ends the ''pon farr''</ref> "shock",<ref>in the ''TOS'' episode "[[Amok Time]]", [[Spock]] believed he had killed [[James T. Kirk]], his "best friend", thus providing sufficient shock to nullify the effects of pon farr</ref> and simulation.<ref>When he experienced ''pon farr'', Tuvok of the [[USS Voyager (Star Trek)|USS ''Voyager'']] made use of a [[holodeck]] simulation of a temporary mate that resembled his wife</ref>

===Other characteristics===
Vulcans are typically depicted as stronger, faster, and longer-lived than humans.<ref>{{cite episode |title=This Side of Paradise |episode-link=This Side of Paradise (Star Trek: The Original Series) |series=Star Trek: The Original Series |series-link=Star Trek: The Original Series |season=1 |number=24}}</ref> This is hypothesized to be due to the increased gravity on Vulcan (1.4 ''g''). However, Vulcans are less cold-tolerant than humans. There are instances of them living over 220 years.<ref name=SAREK>{{cite episode |title=Sarek |episode-link=Sarek (Star Trek: The Next Generation) |series=Star Trek: The Next Generation |series-link=Star Trek: The Next Generation |season=3 |number=23}}</ref> Having evolved on a fictional [[desert planet]], Vulcans can survive without water for longer periods than humans.<ref name="Star Trek p83"/> Vulcans can also go without sleep for as long as two weeks.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Muse |episode-link=Muse (Star Trek: Voyager) |series=Star Trek: Voyager |series-link=Muse (Star Trek: Voyager) |season=6 |number=22}}</ref>

==Psychology==
===Emotion===
Vulcans are known as logical beings who have removed emotions from their daily lives. The Vulcan character, Spock, struggles with this throughout the original series as he is half-human. [[T'Pol]] states that [[paranoia]] and homicidal rage were common on [[#Homeworld|Vulcan]] before the adoption of [[Surak]]'s code of emotional control.

Surak's ideas were that all Vulcans should suppress emotions, for the safety of the species. Before him, Vulcans were dangerously raging, emotional, war-like and religiously fanatical, to the point that [[existential risk|it could have threatened the continuation of their society and species]]. Then, around the 4th century BC, he created a system revolving around these ideas, intended to create a peaceful society. Some Vulcans disagreed, unfortunately, causing a war to break out. The two sides separated, causing the emotional ones to become Romulans and the logical ones to become what is referred to as modern-day Vulcans. Vulcans still possess and experience emotions, but make great efforts to keep them from being expressed or controlling their behavior. They occasionally have mental breakdowns.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://the-take.com/read/how-do-vulcans-get-in-the-mood-for-sex-if-they-are-emotionless|title=How Do Vulcans Get in the Mood for Sex if They Are Emotionless? &#124; Read &#124; The Take|date=March 20, 2016|website=How Do Vulcans Get in the Mood for Sex if They Are Emotionless? &#124; Read &#124; The Take}}</ref> Only those who follow the discipline of ''kolinahr'' have completely purged all emotions from their minds. Spock, in ''[[Star Trek: The Motion Picture]]'', attempts to achieve ''kolinahr'', but ultimately fails to do so.

Other Vulcans who did not believe in war but still wanted to embrace emotions made different choices. A group of renegade Vulcans who believed in this was encountered in the ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'' episode "[[Fusion (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Fusion]]", while Spock's half-brother [[Sybok]], seen in the film ''[[Star Trek V: The Final Frontier]]'', was also fully emotional. An episode of ''Enterprise'' titled "[[E²]]" featured an elderly T'Pol in an alternative timeline who had embraced emotion and allowed her half-human son, Lorian, to do likewise.

In the 1st pilot episode, "[[The Cage (Star Trek: The Original Series)|The Cage]]", Spock showed much more emotion. For the second pilot, "[[Where No Man Has Gone Before]]", [[Number One (Star Trek)|Number One]]{{snd}}Spock's superior officer, who showed little emotion{{snd}}was removed, and it was decided that Spock would take on those traits.<ref>Roddenberry "The Making of Star Trek" 1967</ref>

Vulcan emotions are seemingly more intense than those of humans. In the TNG episode ''[[Sarek (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Sarek]]'', Ambassador [[Sarek]] warns [[Jean-Luc Picard|Captain Picard]] that "Vulcan emotions are extremely intense; we have learned to suppress them", and that Picard would be overwhelmed by Sarek's unrestrained emotions due to the effects of Bendii syndrome while the two are linked during a Vulcan mind-meld. Picard does, in fact, have tremendous difficulty controlling himself while experiencing Sarek's emotions during the meld, including the ambassador's suppressed loves and hidden regrets.{{r|SAREK}}

===Telepathy===
Vulcans are [[Star Trek telepathy|telepaths]]. Beginning in the original series, the character Spock was able to "mind meld" (see below) by touching another being and to share thoughts.<ref>"Dagger of the Mind" and "Devil in the dark"</ref> Vulcans have also displayed telepathy at great distance and through walls.<ref>"The Immunity Syndrome", "A Taste of Armageddon", and "By Any Other Name"</ref>

====Mind melds====
{{Redirect|Mind meld|the documentary film|Mind Meld|other uses|Mindmeld (disambiguation){{!}}Mindmeld}}
A mind meld is a technique for sharing thoughts, experiences, memories, and knowledge with another individual, essentially a limited form of [[telepathy]]. It usually requires physical contact with a subject, though instances of mind melds without contact have been seen. When first depicted in the ''TOS'' episode "[[Dagger of the Mind]]", the procedure was said to require several moments of intense concentration and preparation. However, subsequent episodes show contact between minds occurring almost immediately. Although most often seen done with humanoids, mind melds can be performed with members of other species. Spock even once successfully mind melded with a machine and was able to establish telepathic contact with the space probe V'ger, with silicon-based lifeform, the Horta, and, in another instance, with a [[humpback whale]].

Mind melds can be used both to erase and restore memories; Spock performs each of these on [[James T. Kirk|Captain Kirk]] during ''TOS''{{'}}s third season. A mind meld was even used to rejoin Spock's ''[[#Katra|katra]]'' (see below) with his physical body in ''[[Star Trek III: The Search for Spock]]''. Mind melds can also allow more than one mind to experience memories and sensations, and sometimes even interact with the memories. Some species are able to resist mind melds.

The quad-lobed brain structure of Ferengi make them unable to be telepathically read by other species, and with sufficient training and mental discipline, high-level Cardassian military personnel and/or agents of the Obsidian Order are able to resist mind melds used to extract information. For example, when Gul Dukat was captured by the Maquis, he successfully resisted a prolonged mind meld attempt from a female Vulcan Maquis member, much to the latter's frustration.

====Katra====
Vulcans are able to implant their "katra" into another person via a mind meld just before death. [[Sarek]] explained to [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]] that Spock's katra was "his essence, everything that was not of the body, his katra, his living spirit...everything that he was, everything that he knew". He further explained that this transference was "the Vulcan way, when the body's end is near."<ref>Star Trek III: The Search for Spock</ref> Dr [[Julian Bashir]] in the ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine|DS9]]'' episode "[[The Passenger (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)|The Passenger]]" referred to this phenomenon as "synaptic pattern displacement". The ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise|ENT]]'' Season 4 trilogy of episodes ("[[The Forge (Star Trek: Enterprise)|The Forge]]", "[[Awakening (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Awakening]]", and "[[Kir'Shara]]") reveal some of the history of mind-melding and the journey of the katra of [[Surak]] to modern times. 

Katra can also be used to transfer a Vulcan's healing ability to another to aid in regeneration for serious injury. [[Sarek]] transferred some of his katra to [[Michael Burnham]] ([[Star Trek: Discovery|''DIS'']] Season 1, Episode 6, "Lethe") in order to save her life as a child, which connected Michael to Sarek, and she refers to it as a "soul graft".

Katras can be returned to the body. Such was the case with [[Spock]], who, near the end of ''[[Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]]'', implanted his katra into the mind of [[Leonard McCoy|Dr. McCoy]] before sacrificing his life. In ''[[Star Trek III: The Search for Spock]]'', a mind meld ritual, the "fal tor pan" ("re-fusion"), removed the katra from McCoy and implanted it into Spock's regenerated body. The ritual was successful, though it carried risks for both.

==Culture==<!-- [[Kolinahr]] links to this section -->
===Language===<!-- [[Vulcan language]] redirects to this section -->
Vulcans have their own language in the ''Star Trek'' universe. Several words are heard throughout the various television series starting with the ''Star Trek: The Original Series'' episode "[[Amok Time]]". Words and dialogue are heard in the feature films ''[[Star Trek: The Motion Picture]]'', ''[[Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]]'', ''[[Star Trek III: The Search for Spock]]'' and ''[[Star Trek V: The Final Frontier]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chakoteya.net/StarTrek/|title=The Star Trek Transcripts|work=chakoteya.net|access-date=September 26, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spockandsaavik.com/vulcans/Vulcan.htm|title=Excellent Vulcan research, all canon sources: compiled by Brightstar on Geocities|work=spockandsaavik.com|access-date=September 26, 2015|archive-date=February 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219222041/http://www.spockandsaavik.com/vulcans/Vulcan.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Linguist [[Marc Okrand]] is credited for creating the Vulcan spoken language for ''Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan''. As in most of the films, the actors filmed their lines in English which was later dubbed with the Vulcan translation.<ref>According to Robert Wise's commentary in the Director's edition DVD, it was Gene Roddenberry's idea to have the Vulcans speak their own language. [Wise, Robert. ''Star Trek: The Motion Picture Directors Edition'' [Disc 1]. Special features: Commentary] The translation into Vulcan was made by actor [[James Doohan]]. Doohan observed the actors' lip movements and created new vocal "sounds" for them to dub over their original English. According to the DVD commentary of the film ''Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan'', actors Leonard Nimoy and [[Kirstie Alley]], portraying Spock and [[Saavik]] respectively, also spoke their lines in English, and later dubbed in Vulcan that corresponded with the movements of their mouths in the scene. {{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5Did-eVQDc| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/e5Did-eVQDc| archive-date=2021-12-11 | url-status=live|title=Marc Okrand on Klingon|date=May 2, 2012|work=YouTube|access-date=September 26, 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Names===
The treatment of Vulcan names has been erratic throughout ''Star Trek''{{'}}s production history. Early on, female Vulcans were typically given names beginning with "T" followed by an [[apostrophe]] then a "p". The earliest reference to Vulcan names following a set pattern dates back to a May 3, 1966 memo from ''TOS'' producer [[Robert H. Justman]] to [[Gene Roddenberry]] (later reprinted in the book ''The Making of Star Trek'') in which Justman recommended that all Vulcan names begin with "SP" and end with "K", and have exactly five letters. (It is clear from the context of the book, however, that the memo was intended as a joke, as the series of memos ends up discussing the pronunciation of such names as "Spook", "Spilk" and "Spork".)<ref>{{cite book |author1=Whitfield, Stephen E. |author2=Gene Roddenberry |title=The Making of Star Trek |location=New York |publisher=Ballantine |year=1968 |page=274 |id= SBN 345-23401-4-150 |others={{USD|1.50}} |isbn=0-345-23401-4}}</ref>

Only non-canonical sources have provided any Vulcans with family names, which are usually spoken of as defying attempts at both human pronunciation, especially with English-language phonemes, and human typesetting, especially with the characters of the modern Latin alphabet used for the English language. Hence, no canonical source has given any family names to any Vulcan characters, and, indeed, every one of the personal names previously mentioned is officially described as being only Latin-alphabetical and English-phonetic approximations of the real ones. In the ''TOS'' episode "[[This Side of Paradise (Star Trek: The Original Series)|This Side of Paradise]]", Spock is asked if he has another name, to which he replies "You couldn't pronounce it."

===Marriage===
Vulcans practice [[arranged marriage]],<ref name="startrek.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/features/documentaries/article/8118.html|title=Star Trek|work=startrek.com|access-date=September 26, 2015|archive-date=September 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090903105919/http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/features/documentaries/article/8118.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> in which a male and a female are bonded as children, with consummation at a later date. [[Spock]] explains that this childhood pairing has no one-for-one human analogue, as it is considered less than a full "marriage", but more than simply a "betrothal". This is why Spock first described T'Pring as his "wife", before later explaining that this was an incorrect approximation. Following adult union, it is customary for the couple to remain on [[#Homeworld|Vulcan]] for at least one Vulcan year before conducting off-world travel, though it is possible to defer this requirement until a later date, upon negotiation with the male's family. The state of pon farr is not required for marriage to occur.

A Vulcan female can challenge the proposed bonding by calling for "koon-ut-kal-if-fee", meaning "marriage or challenge", in which a challenger for marriage engages the bonded male in a fight to the death. Alternatively, the bonded male has the option of rejecting his intended bride and choosing another. It is acceptable for a male to "release" his mate from marriage (effectively the same as a [[divorce]]).<ref>Sussman, Michael and Bormanis, Andre. Star Trek: Enterprise, Episode 4/12, "Babel One." First aired January 28, 2005.</ref> It is not established whether females have the same option, and T'Pring stated in "[[Amok Time]]" that a koon-ut-kal-if-fee challenge was the only way she could legally divorce Spock.<ref name="startrek.com" />

While most Vulcan marriages are arranged in childhood, adult Vulcans who have no mates may also declare the "koon-ut-so-lik", the ritual Vulcan marriage proposal. As with arranged marriages, the Vulcan being proposed to may accept or challenge the union.

===Family===
It is customary for Vulcan children to undertake an initiation ordeal known as the "Kahs-wan" (sometimes spelled Kaswahn), in which they are left to fend for themselves in the desert for a specific period of time. Not all children survive this rite of passage. T'Pol underwent the ritual, while [[Tuvok]] experienced a variation known as the "tal'oth". The Kahs-wan was first introduced in the ''Star Trek: The Animated Series'' episode "[[Yesteryear (Star Trek: The Animated Series)|Yesteryear]]", in which Spock's experience as a child was detailed.

Contrary to the Vulcan image of expressing no emotion, family bonds can be strong and affectionate just as they are for humans. Tuvok expressed his love for his wife on a few occasions (without actually using the term), [[Sarek]] openly expressed affection for both his human wives, and a clear bond of love existed between [[T'Pol]] and her mother, T'Les. The bond between Spock and his adopted sister, [[Michael Burnham]], is a central theme of the ''[[Star Trek: Discovery]]'' second season.

===Fighting and self-defense===
In the ''TOS'' episode "[[The Savage Curtain]]", [[Surak]] explains to Kirk Vulcan's history of violence and the turn to peace that saved their civilization. He tells Kirk that he will not fight. Spock says that he has fought, and will fight again, but that he, too, is a "Vulcan, bred to peace."

====Vulcan nerve pinch====
{{Main|Vulcan nerve pinch}}
Vulcans are capable of a technique known as the "[[Vulcan nerve pinch]]" or "neck pinch", which targets a location on the neck between the head and the shoulder that renders the victim unconscious. The pinch was first seen in the ''TOS'' episode "[[The Naked Time]]". The mechanics of the pinch have never been explained. While practiced mainly by Vulcans, it is apparently not exclusive to their race. [[Jonathan Archer]] and [[Jean-Luc Picard]] both use the technique after becoming involved in Vulcan telepathic rituals (Archer holding the katra of Surak, Picard having undergone a [[#Mind melds|mind-meld]] with [[Sarek]]). [[Seven of Nine]] is depicted as capable of using this ability in the episode of ''Voyager'' "[[The Raven (Star Trek: Voyager)|The Raven]]". The android [[Data (Star Trek)|Data]] also displayed this ability in the ''TNG'' episode "[[Unification (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Unification, Part II]]," which Spock described as "not bad." In Star Trek: Discovery, Michael Burnham does the nerve pinch on Captain Philippa Georgiou and commits mutiny.

The neck pinch itself (referred to in scripts as "FSNP", or "Famous Spock Neck Pinch"<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Star trek encyclopedia : a reference guide to the future|last=Michael|first=Okuda|date=1999|publisher=Pocket Books|others=Okuda, Denise., Drexler, Doug.|isbn=0671034758|edition= Updated and expanded|location=New York|pages=550|oclc=42837231}}</ref>) was created by Leonard Nimoy, who objected to a scene in "[[The Enemy Within (Star Trek: The Original Series)|The Enemy Within]]", in which a transporter malfunction had divided Kirk between his good and evil selves, that required Spock to render the "evil" Kirk unconscious and subduing him by hitting him over the head with the butt of a phaser. Nimoy was convinced that such overt violence, in addition to being too similar to that found in many crime dramas of the time, was uncharacteristic of the strictly-logical Spock, and suggested the neck pinch as a less-emotional alternative.<ref>{{Cite press release|last=Cushman|first=Marc|title=The Day Leonard Nimoy Created Spock's Neck-Pinch|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-day-leonard-nimoy-created-spocks-neck-pinch-300044568.html|access-date=2021-10-27|website=www.prnewswire.com|language=en}}</ref>

===IDIC===
[[Image:IDIC.png|right|175px|thumb|A graphic representation of a Kol-Ut-Shan pendant symbolizing IDIC]]
In ''Star Trek'', the IDIC (Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations) has become a symbol of Vulcan equality philosophy. It is symbolized by the "Kol-Ut-Shan", a [[pendant]] of yellow and white gold with a circle and triangle resting upon each other, and adorned with a white jewel in the center.<ref>{{cite video |people = Terry Windell (Director) Tim Russ (Actor) |date = 1999-02-03 |title =Star Trek: Voyager - Gravity |medium = [[Production company|Television production]] | publisher = [[Paramount Pictures]] |location = [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]]}}</ref>

The Vulcan IDIC pendant was designed by [[Gene Roddenberry]] as a marketing premium to be sold through [[mail order]] to ''Star Trek'' fans. As early as the end of the first season, fans of the show had begun writing the studio asking for copies of the scripts, film clip frames, etc., and these were soon sold through Roddenberry's mail order company, [[Lincoln Enterprises]].<ref>[[Harlan Ellison]] mentions the Trimbles as founders of the business and their eventual ouster in favor of Barrett in his book ''The City on the Edge of Forever'' (Open Road, 2014).</ref> As evidenced in some of his letters and memos, Roddenberry was fond of circle-and-triangle designs and had wanted to use them as early as the first season's "[[The Return of the Archons]]". As reported by ''Inside Star Trek'' editor Ruth Berman, "ardent [[rock hound]] and amateur [[lapidary]]" Roddenberry came up with the Vulcan philosophy after he presented Leonard Nimoy with a unique hand-crafted piece of jewelry, a pendant of a polished yellow gold circle and a florentined white gold triangle with a stone of brilliant white [[Strontium titanate|fabulite]]—an artificial gem "developed by the laser industry and used in space mechanisms for its optical qualities", and thus well-suited as a gift for an actor in a science fiction show. Readers were encouraged to submit their interest in such a product to Lincoln Enterprises mail order firm. It was noted that less expensive materials would keep costs down.<ref>(issue #1, ''Inside Star Trek'', July 1968, pp.&nbsp;15–16)</ref>

According to [[William Shatner]] in ''Star Trek Memories'', IDIC was only worked into the episode "[[Is There in Truth No Beauty?]]" as an afterthought. The actors all knew it was a mere advertising toy. Reportedly, Leonard Nimoy was asked to wear it and refused, so it was passed on to Shatner; when he also refused, Nimoy reluctantly agreed to wear it. At the last minute, Roddenberry sent down several pages of new script for the dinner scene, in which Spock was to give a long-winded explanation of the philosophy. The actors refused to film it until Roddenberry cut it down.

In an issue of ''[[The Humanist (magazine)|The Humanist]]'', [[Majel Barrett]] claimed that the philosophy of "Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations" was based on the teachings of Rabbi [[Maimonides]].<ref>Roddenberry, Majel B. "The Legacy of ''Star Trek''" ''The Humanist'' 55(4): 9–11. July 1995</ref>

Although its origins are rooted in marketing and sales, the IDIC became a theme writers and set designers have used in most of the ''Star Trek'' franchise. Spock wore the symbol during important gatherings and ceremonies as part of his [[dress uniform]]. After appearing for the first time in the ''TOS'' episode, "[[Is There in Truth No Beauty?]]", it appeared in Spock's quarters in ''Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan'', ''[[Star Trek III: The Search for Spock]]'', and ''[[Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country]]''. In the series ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'', T'Pol is given an IDIC pendant from her mother T'Les, she holds an IDIC pendant in "[[Terra Prime]]" while she is in mourning for her dying child, and in the episode "[[The Andorian Incident]]" the IDIC symbol appears on small playing pieces that are being used to construct a map of the P'Jem catacombs. In the ''DS9'' episode "[[The Jem'Hadar]]", Quark mentions selling Vulcan IDIC pins, and in the ''DS9'' episode "[[Take Me Out to the Holosuite]]", Captain Solok and his Vulcan team, the Logicians, wear ball caps featuring the IDIC symbol.

==Homeworld==
The fictional Vulcan homeworld, also named ''Vulcan,'' was visited several times in the ''Star Trek'' series and feature films. The inhabitants are known as "Vulcans" or "Vulcanians". First seen in the ''TOS'' episode "[[Amok Time]]", Vulcan, a [[Class M planet]], is an arid world with a thinner atmosphere than Earth. Upon beaming down, McCoy states "'Hot as Vulcan.' Now I understand what that phrase means." In the ''TOS'' episode "[[The Man Trap]]", while Uhura is attempting to make conversation with Spock, he informs her that Vulcan has no moon.

According to Star Trek canon, the planet orbits [[40 Eridani A]]. The authorized ''Star Trek'' book ''Star Trek: Star Charts''<ref name=geoffreymandel>{{cite book |title=Star Trek: Star Charts |last=Mandel |first=Geoffrey |date=2002 |publisher=Pocket Books |location=New York |isbn=0-7434-3770-5}}</ref> and Roddenberry himself<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=http://www.projectrho.com/vulsun.htm |title=Vulcan's Sun |author=[[Sallie Baliunas|Baliunas]]; [[Gene Roddenberry|Roddenberry]] |access-date=2011-04-21 |display-authors=etal |archive-date=August 29, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090829142538/http://www.projectrho.com/vulsun.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> give this location. In addition, Commander Tucker's statement in the ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'' episode "[[Home (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Home]]" that Vulcan is "a little over" 16 light years from Earth supports this location, as 40 Eridani A is 16.39 light-years from our own [[Solar System]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.science.org/content/article/spock-s-home-world-has-been-discovered-sort|title=Spock's home world has been discovered (sort of)|date=2018-09-18|work=Science {{!}} AAAS|access-date=2018-09-20|language=en}}</ref> The planet's location is confirmed by a map shown in the ''[[Star Trek: Discovery]]'' episode "[[Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad]]".

In several [[Star Trek canon|non-canon]] works, Vulcan is also claimed to be located in the triple star system [[40 Eridani]], less than 17 [[light-years]] from Earth.<ref name=geoffreymandel/><ref name="auto"/>

The ''[[Star Trek: Discovery]]'' episode "Unification III" reveals that after the Vulcans reunified with their ancient cousins, the [[Romulan]]s, the Vulcan homeworld was renamed '''Ni'Var'''. Ni'Var had seceded from the Federation (due to the apocalyptic event known as The Burn); in the later episode "All Is Possible", Ni'Var rejoins the Federation.

In the 2009 film ''[[Star Trek (2009 film)|Star Trek]]'', an alternate timeline is created in which Vulcan is destroyed by Nero, a Romulan renegade. By the time of ''[[Star Trek Into Darkness]]'' a Vulcan colony named "New Vulcan" had been established.

==History==
Vulcans once practiced a form of [[polytheism]]; this can be seen in gods of [[List of war deities|war]], peace, and [[Death deity|death]] depicted on the Stone of Gol relic in the ''TNG'' episode "[[Gambit (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Gambit]]". The [[DVD]] commentary for "[[Amok Time]]" says that ''TOS'' writer [[D. C. Fontana]] named the Vulcan god of death "Shariel", a [[Bust (sculpture)|bust]] of whom is seen in Spock's quarters.

Vulcan civilization is ancient. In "Amok Time", Spock says that the place of "Koon-ut-kal-if-fee" has been held by his family for 2,000 years. In the ''TOS'' episode "[[The Savage Curtain]]", the image of Surak speaks of a time when Vulcan war nearly destroyed them, before logic was embraced as a way of life.

In 1957, the launch of ''[[Sputnik program|Sputnik I]]'', Earth's first artificial [[satellite]], was observed by a Vulcan vessel that subsequently crashed on the planet, marooning several crew members for a number of months in [[Carbon Creek (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Carbon Creek]], [[Pennsylvania]]; the humans were unaware of the alien nature of their guests.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Carbon Creek|episode-link=Carbon Creek (Star Trek: Enterprise)|series=Star Trek: Enterprise|series-link=Star Trek: Enterprise|season=2|number=2}}</ref>

On April 5, 2063, Vulcans and humans made official first contact near the town of [[Bozeman, Montana]], following the successful test of Earth scientist [[Zefram Cochrane]]'s first warp-capable [[starship]].

In 2097, the Vulcans annexed the Andorian planetoid Weytahn and renamed it Pan Mokar.

In 2105, the Vulcans and the Andorians agreed to a compromise over Weytahn/Pan Mokar. Still, tensions continued due to the threat of mutual annihilation.

By the 22nd century, the ''Vulcan High Command'' is a form of [[Military junta|military government]] that controls both the Vulcan space fleet and most of the planet itself. Most Vulcans, including T'Pol, from ''Star Trek: Enterprise'' obey the High Command. It is dissolved in the early fourth season of ''Star Trek: Enterprise''.

In 2151, Sub-Commander T'Pol joined the crew of the Earth Starfleet vessel [[Enterprise (NX-01)|''Enterprise'' (NX-01)]], within a couple of weeks setting a Vulcan endurance record for serving aboard a human vessel. In 2154, T'Pol became a commissioned officer with Starfleet.

In the time of ''Star Trek: Enterprise'', Vulcans are seen to be arrogant and cold in their behavior towards humans. [[Soval]], Vulcan's ambassador to Earth, appeared particularly distrustful of humans, and was often at odds with Archer and his crew. Soval later justified this behavior in the fourth season episode "[[The Forge (Star Trek: Enterprise)|The Forge]]":

<blockquote>'We don't know what to do about humans. Of all the species we've made contact with, yours is the only one we can't define. You have the arrogance of [[Andorian]]s, the stubborn pride of [[Tellarite]]s. One moment you're as driven by your emotions as [[Klingon]]s, and the next, you confound us by suddenly embracing logic"</blockquote>

Soval also explained that Earth recovered from [[World War III (Star Trek)|World War III]] far more quickly than Vulcan did from its equivalent. (In "[[The Forge (Star Trek: Enterprise)|The Forge]]" and its sequel episodes, it is said that Vulcans took almost a thousand years to fully rebuild their society after their last catastrophic war.) This alarmed many Vulcans, who were confused as to how to deal with a rapidly growing and emotional society such as Earth's.

Throughout the period of ''Star Trek: Enterprise'', the High Command's actions were the themes of several episodes. Vulcan starships were sent to spy on the ''Enterprise'' and report on the ship's activities.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Breaking the Ice|episode-link=Breaking the Ice (Star Trek: Enterprise)|series=Star Trek: Enterprise|series-link=Star Trek: Enterprise|season=1|number=8}}</ref> They appeared to participate in open acts of persecution towards other Vulcans, such as isolating and quarantining victims of [[Pa'nar Syndrome]] rather than treating them; prejudicial acts against any Vulcan proven to have committed a [[#Mind melds|mind meld]]; and hunting down and capturing, sometimes killing, members of the underground [[dissident]] group, the Syrranites.

In 2154, V'Las, the head of the High Command and undercover agent for the Romulans, bombed the United Earth embassy on Vulcan in an attempt to frame and eliminate all Syrranites while simultaneously attempting an invasion of [[Andorian|Andoria]]. He was foiled by the crew of the ''[[Enterprise (NX-01)|Enterprise]]''. During these events, the [[Kir'Shara]], a device containing the original writings of [[Surak]], was discovered by [[Jonathan Archer]]. This led to the prompt dissolution of the High Command and a reevaluation of Vulcan traditional values. It also resulted in Vulcan agreeing to stop "looking over [[Earth]]'s shoulder" in space exploration matters.

It was revealed to viewers that the High Command's illogical and often emotionally based actions were, in reality, the result of covert Romulan influence. The Romulans had secretly made contact with V'Las and attempted to reunify their long-lost peoples. After the invasion of Andoria was foiled, the High Command was disbanded and V'Las was dismissed from his post. Subsequently, the altered political climate on Vulcan caused the undercover Romulan operative Talok to leave Vulcan, apparently ending the infiltration.

After the overthrow of the corrupt Vulcan High Command and the death of [[Admiral (Star Trek)|Admiral]] [[Maxwell Forrest]], who sacrificed his life to save Soval from a terrorist attack, the attitudes of Soval, and Vulcan society in general, became more cordial and accepting towards humanity.

On August 12, 2161, Vulcan became one of the founding members of the [[United Federation of Planets]].

By the 32nd century, Ambassador Spock's dream of Vulcan/Romulan reunification has been achieved. Following the destruction of Romulus, the surviving Romulans have returned to their ancestral homeworld, now called '''Ni'Var'''.

===''Star Trek'' (2009) alternate timeline===
In the alternate timeline of the 2009 film, the planet Vulcan is destroyed in 2258 by the Romulan known as Nero, who had time-traveled from the future. Using his space mining vessel, ''Narada'', Nero created a [[black hole|singularity]] in Vulcan's planetary core as part of his quest to avenge the destruction of Romulus, which Spock failed to save. The resulting implosion destroyed Vulcan, killing most of its six billion inhabitants. Only around 10,000 managed to escape. At the end of the film, Spock Prime tells the younger Spock a suitable planet has been located to establish a colony for the surviving Vulcans; this world is named "New Vulcan".

==See also==
{{Portal|Astronomy|Fantasy|Film|Space|Speculative fiction|Television}}
* [[Stoicism]]
* [[Vulcan, Alberta]] – a town in [[Canada]] that has incorporated ''Star Trek'' themes due to its name
* [[Vulcan (hypothetical planet)]]

{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist|25em}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|Vulcan}}
{{Memoryalpha|Vulcan}}
* [http://www.startrek.com Official ''Star Trek'' website]

{{Star Trek}}

[[Category:Fictional elements introduced in 1966]]
[[Category:Fictional humanoids]]
[[Category:Fictional telepaths]]
[[Category:Star Trek species]]
[[Category:Vulcans| ]]