Sanctuary in the Storm â art analysis
Okay, Iâm not a professional art analyzer BUT I looove analyzing symbols and to look for easter eggs on art pieces and let me tell you dearest reader, this gate header is making me go insane.
Itâs the top part of the new KitTy art we just got in its entirety and the artist (Frostbite Studios đ) themselves said they have drawn easter eggs on this art piece which relate to other works theyâve done for Cassie and which are unposted still.
In this essay Iâm going to deep-dive into the elements of this piece.
The style itself looks Greek or Roman inspired. For example the Arch of Constantine, located in Rome has similar elements. It also connects with the figures which Iâm going to write about a little bit later.
First of all the eclipse which I already made a post about. Itâs in the center of the header and it seems like a solar eclipse based on the sunbeams. So the moon is passing before the sun, causing the eclipse. Itâs an omen of change. It usually forespeaks shifts in power (politically), evolution and personal growth.
Moving on to the two figures we can probably assume they represent Kit (on the left) and Ty (on the right). The two figures are back to back facing away from each other and the eclipse as well. The fact that theyâre looking away from each other can relate to their lack of communication and emotional detachment which is nothing new to any of us in my opinion. However, if we look closer the figure on the right (Ty) is reaching his hand out while Kitâs representative is resting his on his knees. It might mean what many of you are theorizing - that Ty will reach out first and offer the olive branch, might be a very good prediction indeed. Or that Ty is asking for Kitâs help in the beginning of the story and it will (hopefully) lead to their reconciliation.
Now Iâd like to return to the Greeks and Romans since their outfits are very fitting to that time period. Firstly, Iâm going to analyze the figures separately.
Kitâs figure on the left:
herons: Theyâre not at all surprising. The symbol of the Herondale family. The Celts thought spotting a heron was a sign of good fortune. They also represent the power of patience, focus and strategic action as well as wisdom and balance.
laurel wreath: In Ancient Greece and Rome the laurel wreath was gifted as a symbol of victory and in the Roman Empire they could also have been seen on the heads of Emperors. The Greek also associated it with the sun god Apollo. (Do you remember who got the Sun as a tarot card? WellâŠ) It signifies immortality, wisdom and high status.
wings: I know weâve seen these figures before but those wings flabbergasted me. (I was never a âKit will get wings.â believer.) We could say theyâre there because Kit is a Shadowhunter but so is Ty and he doesnât have them. Still, they not necessarily mean Kit will have physical wings because they can simply represent freedom or transcendence. Usually being associated with divinity and the desire to overcome obstacles which easily fits the narrative of the story.
Tyâs figure on the right:
lynx: The keeper of mysteries. Cassie mentioned theyâre there to represent Tyâs affinity with animals and obviously for Irene. The lynx symbolizes secrets and hidden knowledge. Itâs a solitary animal, very silent and still. It teaches patience and to observe closely rather than rush into situations. In Nordic and Greek tradition they symbolize psychic sight and the ability to detect lies. The Celts linked it to the god Lugus which reinforces its connection to light and perception.
crown of thorns: Like Kit, Ty also got his family symbol on his side. But the crown of thorns has a deeper meaning rooted in the Bible. Christ himself wore a crown of thorns when he bore the weight of the cross. The Romans used the crown to cause pain, but rather to mock Christ since people claimed he was The King of Jews. Still, they just made it even more obvious for his followers: he was indeed a King. More interestingly, thorns appear in the Bible long before Christ. Theyâre a part of Eve and Adamâs story. By eating the fruit they brought the curse of sin upon the world and humanity. One of the objects of the curse are thorns.
ââŠcursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for youâŠâ (Genesis 3:17-18)
If you ask me this part of the art is the first one which makes me think of the necromantic spell Ty casted. Like Christ bore the curse of humanityâs sins, Ty is bearing the curse of his own sin by using dark magic and heâs suffering because of it. Or heâs about to. But Christ triumphed over sin and death so maybe Ty will as well. In my opinion it would be a great parallel. Also, Kitâs name Christopher means âbearer of Christâ and Cassie said in TWP we will return to our Biblical origins from TMI sooooo⊠Letâs not overthink this for now. đ
Well, this is it folks. Do with this information whatever you like. I hope you had a good time reading my rambling.