User blog comment:Mckrongs/Monster Hunter 4 for the Nintendo 3DS/@comment-184.38.85.150-20120801204644/@comment-1758220-20120801230338

The icons are directly related to the culture of the regions in the given games. The 1st two generations share icons because geographically they are located very close to each other, and the square, ridgid nature of them is linked to the rugged terrain found there. The Tri icons were organic and flowing, reminiscent of the island culture and the styles of their motifs, etc. The P3rd ones were more polygonal/geometric, possibly to emulate the style of various oriental characters and symbols (Tri G messed this up by being located in Moga and using the P3rd icons). If this pattern holds up, look no further than northern Mexican/Traditional southwest American styles when it comes to the symbols and icons, given the nature of the village/caravan.