Series mythology

[AhkneeKitteen]

In which we all discuss where the series draws its mythos from, yes? YES.

I'm like, a huge mythology geek so this is kinda up my alley.

Let's start off with this one.

The tradition of being named Serenity on the Moon Kingdom was probably drawn from the Greek mythos of the lunar deity/Titan, Selene. Her equivalent in Roman mythology is seen as Luna, and was later supplemented by the Olympian, Artemis.

Traditionally, Selene was depicted with long, flowing dark hair, often riding a silver chariot or something like that. Her sibling is Helios, of the sun.

Anyway, Selene eventually fell in love with a mortal, of which there is much debate. He was usually either a fine-looking hunter or shepherd, even a king in one version. His name? Endymion, of course.

Whether it was by Selene asking Zeus to do so or a choice of Endymion himself, he usually ends up in an eternal sleep since he is but a mortal and Selene an eternal being who wishes to be with him forever.

oh and Selene totally got jiggy with him while he was in this coma state because she popped out fifty kids with him. NOT KOSHER WOMAN, NOT. KOSHER.

[princess]

interesting...very interesting ahknee...where did you get this from...?

[AhkneeKitteen]

As I said, I'm a mythology geek. It's all stuff I've picked up over the years.

[princess]

nice! =D

[Deleted]

Oh my, there really is a lot of mythology behind Sailor Moon. Mostly the names, derived from certain gods, or the powers of what each Senshi hold.

[AhkneeKitteen]

haha yes there is. i'll probably throw out some more info later tonight when i'm not on my psp.

[Deleted]

Awesome, can't wait.

[AhkneeKitteen]

Ever wonder why Ami wishes to be a doctor? In Roman mythos, the name is Mercury. In Greek, it is Hermes.

Hermes is the messenger of the gods and a guide to the Underworld. He is an Olympian god, and Wikipedia puts it best: "he is also the patron of boundaries and of the travelers who cross them, of shepherds and cowherds, of the cunning of thieves, of orators and wit, of literature and poets, of athletics and sports, of weights and measures, of invention, and of commerce in general."

He has various symbols, of which there is the rooster, tortoise, and his infamous winged sandals and winged hat. Another symbol he's known for is the caduceus - you know, the two snakes twined around a winged staff, the symbol known in America for being associated with medicine (that, of course, is confused with the rod of Asclepius). Hence her desire to be a doctor and her general genius.

Oh, and he also invented/played the lyre ... which is kinda like Mercury's harp for her final attack.

For Roman mythos involving Mercury, he is often seen carrying the caduceus with him. A lot of this mythology is pretty similar or exactly the same to Greek. One interesting thing to note is that Sailor Mercury may have the association with water due to the Roman festival for Mercury, known as Mercuralia. This happened on May 15, and merchants would sprinkle their heads with water from the well at Porta Capena.

[Deleted]

Well... I always just thought smart people took smart jobs, and hers was to be a doctor, but...wow. This is seriously STEEPED in mythology, down to the little details like these.

[AhkneeKitteen]

Hahaha, I know, it's pretty insane.

Another, brief one.

If you've noticed, Sailor Venus and Uranus have kinda inversed colors on their sailor uniforms (note that Venus's color was more yellow than orange in the manga, if you will). I'm theorizing that this was an intentional move by Takeuchi-sensei, because in ... uh, yes, it was Greek myth, Uranus had his testicles cut off and from this, Aphrodite arose. It's probably also something drawn from the fact that they're both the unspecified leaders of their particular groups, they were meant to kinda mirror each other.

[Deleted]

It's funny you mention the castration, since I've always envisioned Uranus to be the manliest woman ever. Compensation?

[AhkneeKitteen]

Possibly? Ahaha.

Now, talking a stroll on the dark side because that's where all the cookies supposedly are.

Four Heavenly Kings - the Shitennou, of course, you know, the four guys who worked under Queen Beryl back in the first season. The title of course comes from Buddhist faith. The Four Heavenly Kings are, as the name implies, four gods, with each watching over one cardinal direction of the world. This is only sort of hinted at in the manga (... I think, ohgod it's been so long) by the fact that they each have a certain area of the world they are head of (which kind of go in the general four directions thing).

On the note of the Dark Kingdom, let's hit up some Codename wa: Sailor V here. It's a small thing, but if you've read it (uuuh I'll try not to make this spoilerific for those who haven't?), a certain someone reveals himself to have been known as Adonis back in the days of the Silver Millenium era of the Moon Kingdom, a lowly foot soldier who fell in love with the ever-beautiful Princess Venus, who did not reciprocate; her eyes were on another man, namely Kunzite. In myth, Adonis is known for a lot of things, but for this, we're focusing on Greek: he was a handsome man that Aphrodite fell in love with at first sight, and he would eventually end up dying in her arms.

[Deleted]

Interesting. The beautiful people should stay together! (In this case, at least.)

And holy crap, I just noticed that you've posted over 10,000 times! A belated congrats to you!

[AhkneeKitteen]

Oh yes, so very beautiful they are *A*

... I have ... ? Oh wow, I have! Hahaha, thanks.

[Deleted]

I should have commemorated earlier, but I did not notice. I apologize.