this post was submitted on 12 Mar 2024
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[–] SchmidtGenetics@lemmy.world 38 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

Originally, the rook symbolized a chariot. The Persian word rokh means chariot, and the corresponding pieces in Oriental chess games such as xiangqi and shogi have names meaning chariot. Persian War Chariots were heavily armoured, carrying a driver and at least one ranged-weapon bearer, such as an archer.

Modern ones are akin to siege towers is my take.

[–] accideath@lemmy.world 7 points 8 months ago

In German they’re called "Turm" which literally translates to tower…

I suppose siege towers would make sense, however I’ve never seen a chess set that didn’t have them look like a castle. (Which could be one reason they look like that, so castling actually produces a castle)