A theme of Assassin's Creed is the numerous "bird of prey" referenes of Altaïr. First and foremost, the name Altaïr means "the flying" or "the flyer" from the phrase "النسر الطائر" ("the flying eagle"). Secondly, his clothing mirrors a bird, with the tip on his hood making a beak-shape and robe forming the wings. This is seen most clearly in this picture, where Altaïr's shadow resembles an eagle. His weaponry also carries the theme: his sword's hilt is shaped like a bird, with the pommel being the head, the grip being the body, and the guard being the wings. His short scimitar and throwing knives also resemble the talons and/orfeathers of an eagle. Altaïr's strike on his target as shown in one trailer is also very bird-like. He jumps into the air toward his target so that he can come down on him, killing his target as he lands, much the same way an eagle will stab its sharp talons into its prey as it swoops in. A final example is the "leap of faith," where Altaïr outstretches his arms as if his arms were wings to carry him through the air, before falling down into a cart of hay.
