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misoraSpoilers for manga chapters up to 347.
So chapter 347, "The Lust", debuted last week....and what a fine debut it was.
I've heard lots of people referring now to Ulquiorra's complete Resurreccion (not a second release, but it seems to be a continuation of his first one) as him being an "incubus", "Lucifer", or the like.
Well, judging by what I've taught myself about the nature of the occult origins of the notion of Satan, they're not too far off the mark.
Let's start with an earlier tidbit -- Ulquiorra's previously-unreleased zanpakutou. The end of the handle, the part that meets the blade, is shaped a lot like an Egyptian-stylized eye, specifically the Eye of Horus (also known as the Eye of Ra, or in Egyptian as the Wedjat):
It's not a perfect match, but I'm too lazy to look up the manga chapters showing the handle -- needless to say, it's something most people have already seen.
The significance of the Eye of Horus symbol is compounded by the well-known fact that Ulquiorra can remove his eye, at will, to demonstrate to someone what it has recorded (and it records everything, much like the "all-seeing eye" of Ra in mythology). Even more significant is the fact that there is usually a teardrop found directly underneath the eye...not unlike Ulquiorra's infamous tear-marks.
There are a lot of different theories Egyptologists have about the eye, and its relation to the sun/moon/gods/goddesses, but one thing is for certain -- the eye was a protective symbol used by the Egyptians. It was an extremely sacred symbol that was said, when carved on the sarcophagi of mummies, to give them the ability to "see again".
The second point of evidence to link Ulquiorra to ancient Egypt is his new Resurreccion form. We still have yet to see it in its completion -- it may be completed at the beginning of 348, or we may be subjected to a flashback/backstory of Ulquiorra -- but already I see some very interesting occult parallels.
The picture below is a depiction of the occult figure of Baphomet -- also known as the "Goat of Mendes". Those of you who read my Witch Hunter Robin fanfictions will recognize the significance -- Baphomet is one of the key archetypal figures of Satan. He represents fertility and sexual power, above all else. ("The Lust" not too far off the mark, I think.) He also prominently figures in Neopaganist mythos -- Witchcraft -- as a manifestation of "The Horned God".
Here are some links which go into detail about him:
http://www.satanic-kindred.org/baphomet.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baphomet
http://altreligion.about.com/od/symbols/a/baphomet.htm
http://sonic.net/yronwode/arcane-archive.org/religion/satanism/ram-of-mendes-was-goat-of-mendes-1.php
(I would disregard the suggestions that the name "Baphomet" was linked to the name of the Islamic prophet Muhammad -- that was certainly not Levi's [the original artist's] intent, as he was more a student of Hermeticism, Kaballah, and alchemy.)
Interestingly, there are links to Amun-Ra of Egypt (Ammon, Amon, Amun), in that sometimes the Goat of Mendes is referred to as the Ram of Mendes. Amun-Ra, too, was a "horned" god who, in addition to several other aspects, was largely invoked for fertility.
Links and information about Amun are here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amun
http://www.livius.org/am-ao/ammon/ammon.htm
What do these things mean, in relation to Ulquiorra and his role in Bleach?
...Good question. I can only speculate why Kubo has chosen to include so many ancient occult references all wrapped up in this single character. More than any other, Ulquiorra's very nature is reeking of symbolism.
If he is like Horus, will he defeat his enemy, as Horus defeated Set? (Not likely, given that Ichigo is the hero of the series.) If he is like Baphomet or Amun-Ra, is he going to "defy God" somehow as the archetypal Satan? This could be read as Ulquiorra possibly rebelling against his god, Aizen. I'm not sure which angle Kubo's going to go with, but whatever it is we can count on it being spectacular, at this point. There has been so much speculation about the parallel of this fight (Ichigo/Ulquiorra) to the Ichigo/Byakuya fight in the Soul Society arc -- Hime and Ishida on the sidelines, Ishida's attempt to reassure, Ulquiorra taunting Ichigo with the differences in their powers -- that it's hopeful the resolution of the fight will either end in a draw, or something else.
Also, there is AGAIN the reference to the Tanabata myth, in which the weaver-princess Orihime falls in love with a cowherder. The first reference was Ulquiorra's resurreccion name: "Murcielago", which as I pointed out in a previous post, was a famous name of a fighting bull. Now with the similarity to Baphomet and the "Goat/Ram of Mendes", there is again another reference.
Something's going to happen, especially now that Orihime's going to go join the fight at the top of the dome...and whatever happens, I have faith that it's not going to mean Ulquiorra's death. There's just something too important about him, by this point.
So chapter 347, "The Lust", debuted last week....and what a fine debut it was.
I've heard lots of people referring now to Ulquiorra's complete Resurreccion (not a second release, but it seems to be a continuation of his first one) as him being an "incubus", "Lucifer", or the like.
Well, judging by what I've taught myself about the nature of the occult origins of the notion of Satan, they're not too far off the mark.
Let's start with an earlier tidbit -- Ulquiorra's previously-unreleased zanpakutou. The end of the handle, the part that meets the blade, is shaped a lot like an Egyptian-stylized eye, specifically the Eye of Horus (also known as the Eye of Ra, or in Egyptian as the Wedjat):
It's not a perfect match, but I'm too lazy to look up the manga chapters showing the handle -- needless to say, it's something most people have already seen.
The significance of the Eye of Horus symbol is compounded by the well-known fact that Ulquiorra can remove his eye, at will, to demonstrate to someone what it has recorded (and it records everything, much like the "all-seeing eye" of Ra in mythology). Even more significant is the fact that there is usually a teardrop found directly underneath the eye...not unlike Ulquiorra's infamous tear-marks.
There are a lot of different theories Egyptologists have about the eye, and its relation to the sun/moon/gods/goddesses, but one thing is for certain -- the eye was a protective symbol used by the Egyptians. It was an extremely sacred symbol that was said, when carved on the sarcophagi of mummies, to give them the ability to "see again".
The second point of evidence to link Ulquiorra to ancient Egypt is his new Resurreccion form. We still have yet to see it in its completion -- it may be completed at the beginning of 348, or we may be subjected to a flashback/backstory of Ulquiorra -- but already I see some very interesting occult parallels.
The picture below is a depiction of the occult figure of Baphomet -- also known as the "Goat of Mendes". Those of you who read my Witch Hunter Robin fanfictions will recognize the significance -- Baphomet is one of the key archetypal figures of Satan. He represents fertility and sexual power, above all else. ("The Lust" not too far off the mark, I think.) He also prominently figures in Neopaganist mythos -- Witchcraft -- as a manifestation of "The Horned God".
Here are some links which go into detail about him:
http://www.satanic-kindred.org/baphomet.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baphomet
http://altreligion.about.com/od/symbols/a/baphomet.htm
http://sonic.net/yronwode/arcane-archive.org/religion/satanism/ram-of-mendes-was-goat-of-mendes-1.php
(I would disregard the suggestions that the name "Baphomet" was linked to the name of the Islamic prophet Muhammad -- that was certainly not Levi's [the original artist's] intent, as he was more a student of Hermeticism, Kaballah, and alchemy.)
Interestingly, there are links to Amun-Ra of Egypt (Ammon, Amon, Amun), in that sometimes the Goat of Mendes is referred to as the Ram of Mendes. Amun-Ra, too, was a "horned" god who, in addition to several other aspects, was largely invoked for fertility.
Links and information about Amun are here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amun
http://www.livius.org/am-ao/ammon/ammon.htm
What do these things mean, in relation to Ulquiorra and his role in Bleach?
...Good question. I can only speculate why Kubo has chosen to include so many ancient occult references all wrapped up in this single character. More than any other, Ulquiorra's very nature is reeking of symbolism.
If he is like Horus, will he defeat his enemy, as Horus defeated Set? (Not likely, given that Ichigo is the hero of the series.) If he is like Baphomet or Amun-Ra, is he going to "defy God" somehow as the archetypal Satan? This could be read as Ulquiorra possibly rebelling against his god, Aizen. I'm not sure which angle Kubo's going to go with, but whatever it is we can count on it being spectacular, at this point. There has been so much speculation about the parallel of this fight (Ichigo/Ulquiorra) to the Ichigo/Byakuya fight in the Soul Society arc -- Hime and Ishida on the sidelines, Ishida's attempt to reassure, Ulquiorra taunting Ichigo with the differences in their powers -- that it's hopeful the resolution of the fight will either end in a draw, or something else.
Also, there is AGAIN the reference to the Tanabata myth, in which the weaver-princess Orihime falls in love with a cowherder. The first reference was Ulquiorra's resurreccion name: "Murcielago", which as I pointed out in a previous post, was a famous name of a fighting bull. Now with the similarity to Baphomet and the "Goat/Ram of Mendes", there is again another reference.
Something's going to happen, especially now that Orihime's going to go join the fight at the top of the dome...and whatever happens, I have faith that it's not going to mean Ulquiorra's death. There's just something too important about him, by this point.
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no subject
Date: 2009-03-02 11:04 pm (UTC)I'm really hoping I'm not off the mark with these allusions he's making. I just see too many things that could be happening in the next few chapters, and the biggest confrontation will be Orihime when she sees Ulquiorra in his fully-released form. Her reactions -- and his reaction to her -- will be amazing, I just know it.
no subject
Date: 2009-03-03 12:56 am (UTC)I was so fixated on his release form that I failed to remember that Orihime is on her way up there to check it out! You're right - it'll mos def be amazing!
I also wonder how Ishida will react to her reaction, too, especially since there's been a little insight into his relationship with her.