Trekipedia

Andorians

These humanoid Federation members are blue-skinned in appearance and have bilateral antennae and characteristically white hair.^[1] Andorians have a higher metabolism than humans^[15]. Because of Andorians’ unusual physiology, intravenous injections are not possible; instead, a doctor must use intra-muscular injections.^[2]

Andorian antennae are used, at least in part, for balance. An Andorian is partially disabled and unable to function immediately following the loss of an antenna, but is typically able to compensate after a day or two. Antennae can take up to nine months to regrow, although that can be completed in half the time with electrical stimulation and cranial massage therapy. Loss of antennae is a humiliating experience for an Andorian.^[15] An Andorian’s antennae can also detect subtle shifts in temperature, electrical fields, and emotion.^[16] The movement of an Andorian’s antennae can also indicate emotional states. An Andorian will sometimes point their antennae at a potential mate to signify attraction, though it is unclear if this is a voluntary or involuntary response.^[12]

Andorians are self-described as a violent and warlike species. In the 22nd century, service in the Imperial Guard was considered honorable and military ranks had great influence on social reputations.^[15] However, Andorians do not fight without reason, and deplore dishonesty, though they are capable of duplicity.^[1] Andorians consider themselves to be deeply emotional and passionate, and although not known for their charity or sympathy, they place a high value on family.^[3] If an Andorian dies far from home, his or her companions will typically carry at least part of their body back to Andoria^[15]

No members of this Federation race were aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D when Data‘s offspring, Lal, was “born.” Lal rejected an Andorian female as one of four final choices for a racial type, instead opting to become a human female.^[4] Andorians engage in group marriages of four as a rule.^[7]

An important part of Andorian tradition is the ushaan, a code of honor that demands a duel with an ice-mining tool, the ushaan-tor. An enormous body of rules and regulations exists for the ushaan, including up to 12,000 amendments. The ushaan can be invoked for a matter of personal vengeance. However, there is a right of substitution, allowing each combatant to have a representative fight on their behalf. Furthermore, married combatants can postpone a duel indefinitely if there are no children to continue his clan. The fight typically ends in the death of one of the combatants, but can be called off if one combatant disables the other in such a way as the duel cannot continue.^[15]

Andorian renegades in the Triangular system once embarrassed a Starfleet admiral’s search when they hid their ship by dismantling it. ( ) An Andorian was present at Risa when Captain Picard vacationed there on stardate 43745.2,^[5] and also an Andorian group bid for Tellurian spices offered by Kivas Fajo on stardate 43872.2.^[6]

This Federation member-race was the subject of some kind of gender-swapping joke by Quark that Morn was slow to catch; the punchline was “and the Andorian says, ‘Your brother? I thought it was your wife!'”^[9] Andor is among the many worlds providing a registry home to numerous ships that use Deep Space Nine.^[10] Andorian silk is prized for its softness. Andorian jewelry is highly collectible and is not usually available on Deep Space Nine, though Quark did attempt to sell some at one point by inter-station monitor.^[11] Chirurgeon Ghee P’trell of Andor was nominated for the Carrington Award in 2371.^[8] In 2375, Yanas Tigan, mother of Ezri Dax, imported hand-painted Andorian tiles for her Solarium.^[13]