Possible Inspiration of Brandon's?

[Kaurne]

Okay, so I was browsing wikipedia articles on divination because I was interested, and found several intriguing passages.

 

First, from here

 

Particularly the bit about the 16 geomantic figures being split into four elemental sets, and split into two sets a multiple of ways (stable/mobile, partial/impartial, diurnal/nocturnal) struck me as being quite similar to the way Allomancy is set up.

 

Then I kept looking, and found this

 

Here a similar system is explained because 'The number 16 holds important significance in Yoruba Mythology as it was the purported number of original divinities that established life on earth.'

 

Doesn't that sound like Shards?

 

I mean, this is probably a coincidence, but it does seem rather similar; does anyone know if it is a coincidence or not?

Edited June 28, 2013 by Kaurne