This came to me as I saw this post, so please allow me to scream about the significance of WWX showing off his latest creation, and asking LWJ for his thoughts on the proposed names for the talisman here! And how, knowingly or unknowingly, WWX probably endeared himself even more to LWJ.
WWX introduced the talisman to LWJ by saying this: “这是我自创的符咒⋯⋯要我给它取个什么名字好呢？是同袍还是无衣好啊？ / This is a talisman I created myself … What should I call it? Should I call it Sharing Robes or No Clothes?” (yes, this is the literal translation #notkidding #netflixmadeitsoundbetter)
Knowing WWX, the cheeky names probably allude to their shared experience in the Cold Pond where he saw LWJ unclothed (无衣) and also they had LWJ’s headband tied around their wrists (同袍). But cheekiness aside, his choice of names actually shows his depth of wisdom and reaffirms his commitment to keep to his promises and uphold justice.
Both 无衣 and 同袍 come from a line in a famous poem called “无衣”. This poem can be found in China’s oldest anthology of verse called “诗经 / The Classic of Poetry”. 诗经 is one of the Five Classics compiled by Confucius, and has been reverently studied and memorised by scholars. WWX’s obvious inspiration for the names of his talisman would not have escaped the attention of LWJ. By using these names, he shows off his scholarly wisdom and his knowledge of classic Chinese literature.
More importantly, WWX has also put much thought into the choice of the poem. The line in the poem is “岂曰无衣？ 与子同袍 / How can you say you have no clothes? I will take my robe to share with you”. The poem is actually a call to rally soldiers, or a war cry of sorts. It describes the people’s eagerness and readiness to take up arms to fight for the state. Even if an army recruit does not have anything suitable to wear, his comrade will share his garments willingly so that they can fight side-by-side for the same cause.
The blue of the talisman, and the fact that it binds two parties at the wrists, would definitely remind LWJ of their shared promise at the Cold Pond (LWJ: “忘机 身为蓝氏后人 义不容辞 一定会完成前辈遗愿 / As a descendent of the Lan clan, I am obligated to do so and will do my best to accomplish your wish” and WWX: “我也义不容辞 / I am obligated too”). WWX is thus likening their shared promise to a common beloved cause and their association as comradeship. He is telling LWJ that LWJ is not alone in shouldering this moral obligation, and both of them will uphold their promise together.
As the audience, we all know that LWJ was impressed by WWX’s promise to protect the weak, uphold justice, and live with a clear conscience. During the lantern scene, as WWX was making the promise, LWJ had looked at him with unmasked surprise and tenderness. This moment reinforces what LWJ has just started to discover about WWX, allowing LWJ to continue to see WWX in a new light and with special respect, beyond his apparent penchant for mischief.
And thus we come to the ending of this cute scene between the both of them — although LWJ again tells WWX that the latter is “无聊 / Boring”, he doesn’t reject having WWX accompany him for the rest of their Yin Metal adventure.
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