How do I write an interesting prophecy?

“I’m writing a fantasy series that includes a prophecy that all the characters are following but how do you make it feel like part of the world and not just a big spoiler? I want it to mean something but still leave room for surprises.”

Prophecies are a time-honoured plot device, especially for those who write stories with fantasy elements. They signpost potential futures and weave tension, mystery, and a sense of inevitability into the very fabric of any narrative in which they appear.

That said, while prophecies can drive plots full of epic quests and shape your characters’ destinies, if you get them wrong, then they can easily fall into spoiler territory, or feel contrived or forced if they don’t come with a satisfying resolution.

What is a prophecy?

A prophecy predicts or foretells future events and is often delivered through divine inspiration or mystical means. They will often appear as cryptic verses, riddles, dreams, or visions that hint at a future that will carry a lot of weight in the plot either through world-changing events, or personal character moments (although the two often go hand-in-hand).

Prophecies often fall into familiar patterns. They can be self-fulfilling puzzles waiting to be cracked. They can be warnings of doom that characters must race to prevent, or glimpses of hope that inspire them to persevere through dark times. But no matter what type of prophecy you use in your story, it should, first and foremost, serve your story’s needs.

Why use prophecy?

Prophecies have several narrative functions that can make them a great tool to use. At its most basic, it creates anticipation and suspense. A reader has an idea of what’s in store but won’t know how it relates to the wider story yet, so it keeps them guessing. But they can also do much more than simply hint at future events, because when used well, they can add layers of meaning and subtext to your plots through careful use of imagery, metaphor, and careful use of language.

When written well, prophecies can establish stakes and consequences and act as a form of mystical foreshadowing. This interweaving of present and future can drive character decisions and plot development in organic ways, as your characters grapple with their foretold destinies or fight against them.

Perhaps most importantly, prophecies can help build your world’s mythology and belief systems. They give your fictional universe a sense of history and cosmic significance, suggesting forces at work beyond what your characters can see or understand.

What makes an effective prophecy?

Ambiguity and interpretation

The best prophecies are open to different interpretations. This ambiguity allows readers to speculate about possible meanings and creates tension around how the prophecy might be fulfilled.

Example: In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the three witches tell him that “no man of woman born” can harm him. Macbeth interprets this literally, assuming it means no one can kill him since all men are born from women. This makes him feel invincible, leading to a shocking climax when Macduff reveals he was “from his mother’s womb untimely ripped” i.e born by Caesarian section. The prophecy was true, but Macbeth’s interpretation of what constitutes being “born” proved fatally narrow.

Relevance to theme and plot

Your prophecy should connect meaningfully to your story’s central themes and conflicts. Rather than being a random prediction, it should illuminate or complicate the narrative questions you’re exploring.

Example: The prophecy of the Sword in the Stone from Arthurian legend states that. “Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil, is rightwise king born of all England.” It carries no ambiguity, but establishes the story’s theme; that the right to kingship is earned through strength of character, not lineage alone.

Balanced level of detail

Include enough specific details to make the prophecy feel meaningful, but leave room for uncertainty. Too vague, and it feels meaningless; too specific, and it loses mystique.

Example: In JRR Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring, Gandalf gives Frodo “The Riddle of Strider” that serves as both a prophecy and as a way for Frodo to recognise Aragorn.

“All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king.”

In it, Tolkien uses specific imagery (gold, fire, broken blade) that ties to plot elements, maintains mystery while giving meaningful clues, avoids explicit timestamps or overly detailed predictions, cleverly uses metaphor, leaves room for interpretation while still being specific enough to feel significant, and writes in multiple layers of meaning that become clear as the series unfolds.

Natural integration

The prophecy should feel organic to your world and its belief systems. To get this right, you should consider the following:

• Who makes prophecies in your world?
• How are they typically delivered and recorded?
• What role do prophecies play in your society?
• How do different characters/groups view prophetic traditions?

Example: In Dune by Frank Herbert, the Bene Gesserit sisterhood has spent generations carefully cultivating prophetic traditions. Their prophecies are delivered through a complex system of genetic memory, specialised training, and ritualistic spice consumption.

The prophecies feel natural because they emerge from established cultural and religious practices, different groups interpret them differently (e.g. Fremen vs Bene Gesserit), they’re recorded and transmitted in ways that match the world’s technology, they’re integrated into the power structures and politics of the universe, their delivery method reflects the society’s values and beliefs, and the characters’ reactions to prophecies align with their cultural backgrounds.

Tips for writing prophecies

Use poetic language like:

• Metaphorical imagery.
• Symbolic references.
• Memorable phrases.
• Regular rhythm or meter.
• Internal rhyme schemes.

Include multiple levels of meaning in your prophecy, like:

• A face-value interpretation that differs from the true meaning.
• Hidden meanings.
• Red herrings.
• Double meanings.
• Cultural references that readers understand with continued worldbuilding.

Prophecies can take many forms, so consider formats that work in the context of your project like:

• Oral traditions through song or story.
• Ancient and religious texts.
• Dream visions or trances.
• Ritual readings and divination.

Different characters should react differently to prophecies based on their personalities and beliefs. Examples might include:

• The skeptic who dismisses it.
• The true believer who takes it literally.
• The analyst who tries to decode it.
• The fatalist who accepts it blindly.
• The rebel who fights against it.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• The too-perfect prophecy: avoid prophecies that spell out exactly what will happen. Not only will this completely lack any sense of suspence but also raise questions about why characters don’t simply prevent the predicted events.
• The irrelevant prophecy: don’t include a prophecy just because you think your story needs one. If it doesn’t meaningfully affect your plot or characters, it’s probably unnecessary.
• The forgotten prophecy: once you introduce a prophecy, don’t let it fade into the background. It should remain relevant throughout the story, influencing character decisions and plot developments.
• The deus ex machina: avoid using prophecies as an easy way to resolve plot problems. The fulfilment should feel earned through character actions and choices, not just predetermined fate.

Questions to ask yourself:

When writing a prophecy, here are some questions you can ask yourself to determine whether it is necessary, relevant, or if you’re getting the balance right.

• Does this prophecy add meaningful tension to the story?
• Are there multiple valid interpretations?
• How does it connect to your themes?
• Does the fulfilment feel earned?
• Would the story work without it?
• How does the prophecy’s delivery method fit your world?
• Does the language style match the prophet/source?
• Is the prophecy’s timing meaningful to the plot?
• Have you considered how different cultures in your world view prophecies?
• Does the prophecy create interesting character conflicts?
• Is the prophecy’s resolution satisfying but not predictable?
• Does it leave enough room for character agency?
• How does it affect the pacing of your story?
• Are there enough breadcrumbs for readers to follow?
• Could readers piece together the true meaning before the reveal?