In the Bright Way, the Fire of Understanding, also called sapience, is a gift given by the Uncreated Light to certain species of living things allowing them to reflect upon themselves and think symbolically. It differentiates irrational animals from sophonts.

According to the Great Commandment, the yinrih are not the only beings granted the Fire of Understanding. Other such beings dwell among the stars, and the yinrih are tasked with finding these far-flung sophonts.