The bands are symbolic of the hope and fear that are often inherent in the unknown. Frieda, Cassiel, Marina, and Goth are just a few of the bats who have been banded by the humans. Frieda and Cassiel believe that the bands have something to do with Nocturna’s Promise, so they consider the bands a symbol of hope. Marina also looks to the bands with hope, but it’s because she felt a special connection to the humans when they put it on her. The bats in the house consider the bands a message of hope, too, but it’s because they believe that the bands will one day transform them into humans. In each of these instances, the characters hope that the bands will make their lives better in some way. They don’t understand the bands, so they take on an almost mystical significance.

Goth looks at the bands differently. He believes that humans are terrible, so the bands by association are terrible as well. The Brightwing bats who banished Marina believe that the bands are a bad omen that bring death and bad luck. The only character who isn’t sure about what the bands mean is

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