We've reached the last stop on our pheromone analysis tour - Gao Tu. We love him, but he hates himself.
He's spent most of his life hiding his identity. Just like our other three main characters, his past is steeped in family issues and trauma.
It's no wonder he's hidden and lied. But his abuse of suppressants has come at a cost. They're causing him physical harm.
And his lies make his relationships with others (like Wenlang) infinitely more complicated than they need to be.
Sorry Wenlang, your bestie of over ten years has been lying to you the entire time. And as a result, you've ended up saying a lot of terrible things that traumatized him further. Good luck with the mental anguish of that.
But unfortunately for Gao Tu...the pheromones? They don't lie. They just confuse everyone... especially me.
Standard caveat: Cultural differences are pretty much guaranteed anytime you talk about flowers or fruit. I also do not know the authors' original intentions. This is just the interpretation that I'm running with in my head.
The analysis of Gao Tu's pheromones pattern was a little trickier than you might think. After all, we have been told clearly he's sage. But what kind of sage? There are culinary sages, ornamental sages, smudging sages...the list goes on. Even if we limit it to the most common genus, you are talking almost 1000 species of sage. 🤯
The Chinese subs here are the general term for sage (thanks @thisonelikesaliens), and although there is a translation that says "clary sage" in one chapter of the novel...that's questionable. The original Chinese seems to just say sage (thanks @hughungrybear). Other than Google lens, all of my other translation apps just say "gentle scent of sage" when translating that passage. So perhaps common sage?
In any translation, it has been established that Gao Tu is not quite like other sweet smelling omegas. This hardy, drought tolerant herb has lasted a long time without anyone to take care of him during heat.
And survived pheromone battles that would send other omegas to their death.
Like a scared rabbit, he's going to run away once he finds out he's pregnant. But he's not weak.
However, both common and clary sage are typically depicted as green. Gao Tu? He's blue. We can often find green near him.
But we see his blue color in the color of his pheromones. It's also in his navy suits, his denim jacket, his ties, and even his inhaler. Just like the other characters, his pheromones are color-coded.
So in the series....he's blue sage? That works too.
(Blue Sage: CC-BY-2.0)
Blue sage is used to accumulate spiritual strength and, like many types of sage, for cleansing negative energy. Like many kinds of plants, it is said to attract abundance and wealth. These work really well as a symbol for Gao Tu. He's needed strength for sure.
But...we run into a problem. Blue sages often carry a sweet floral scent or undertone. We've already been told that Gao Tu doesn't. Plus, while certain species of blue sage can be found there, it isn't as common in China as it is in other parts of the world. If someone said "blue sage" there, they might mean a plant that wasn't actually sage (Salvia) at all. It's enough to make me uncertain. The fragrances of the other three characters easily tied into aspects of Chinese culture.
So we're back to clary sage? It's not native to China, but China is a key producer of clary sage oils. Clary sage is often considered useful in traditional Chinese medicine for treating hormone imbalances, combating fatigue and improving reproductive health. It fits our pregnant omega. But...it's got floral notes to its scent too.
However, there's another type of sage that is common, significant, and native to China. Chinese sage, or red sage. Specifically, danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) which has a more earthy, herbal smell. Like clary sage, it's very commonly used in traditional medicine.
This tracks with the idea that Gao Tu thinks he's nothing special. Both are commonly used herbs without the sweet smell characteristic of a lot of omegas.
But they're considered powerful in medical realms - much like Gao Tu has his own unique strengths. Both clary sage and red sage are described as "calming shen" referencing shen (spirit/presence) in the sense of traditional Chinese medicine. They're healing. Now I do not know if the character for shen in danshen or the medical shen is the same as the character in Shen Wenlang's name. But I found it interesting. Because, yes. Gao Tu does have a generally calming effect on others and he calms Shen (Wenlang).
Danshen (red sage) has a story about it being harvested as part of a difficult journey to heal a loved one. It's connected to perseverance in the face of love which Gao Tu has in spades. I'm not talking about romantic love here. He's persevered and endured to heal his sister. He takes on hardships for himself to guarantee her well-being.
This type of sage is considered to be all kinds of good things for the heart. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine to "remove heat" and get the blood moving. Basically, it treats cardiovascular issues. Much like Gao Tu's presence has healed some of the trauma in Shen Wenlang's heart. And even if Wenlang doesn't admit it, Gao Tu gets his blood (and body) moving. Based on the outpouring of love for this character, he's got our blood moving too.
We all noticed when he went missing that one episode.
So both clary sage and danshen/red sage are highly valued and useful...just like Gao Tu as a fabulous assistant. (Side Note: It's at this moment that I realized Desire really has three fabulous assistants instead of two.)
But these types of sage...they're green and red? Without question, our boy is blue. Therein lies the interesting bit. Danshen is red by name. It has red roots. If I wanted to stretch it, you could say that everything Gao Tu does is because his actions are rooted in love for Shen Wenlang or his sister.
But its flowers? They're typically blue to purple. The outward appearance and name not completely aligning. Like Gao Tu saying he's a beta when he's really an omega.
And clary sage? It also has variants with blue blooms. Both have identity issues. 😅 Actually, common sage can have blue flowers too.
Gao Tu, why do you have to make things so difficult? 😭 Why is your identity so hard to nail down? Wait...I guess that tracks. You have spent most of your life trying to hide it.
So common sage (rewarding hard work)? Clary sage (focusing on reproductive health)? Blue sage (gathering spiritual strength)? or Red sage (focusing on matters of the heart)? You'll have to make your own call. Honestly, you may want to consider one of the hundreds of other variants.
Gao Tu, at this point, I'm just going to say you are all things sage - hardworking, resilient, healing, bringer of positive energy, guider to fresh perspectives, and more. Let's add in a feng shui element of wood that fuels reproduction and life-sustaining energy.
Oh, the man (and liar) you are....
I guarantee Hua Yong respects your commitment to the bit.
The only thing I really know? Regardless of variant, Gao Tu's medicine-like pheromones speak to him being key to healing Shen Wenlang and helping him get over his omega prejudices.
And they also speak to Gao Tu's need for personal healing.
We can't really be confident in his identity until he can face it himself.
Related Analysis:
Hua Yong is an orchid (mantis)
Sheng Shaoyou: When a Fertile Bride Becomes A Pirate's Booty
Shen Wenlang: Destined to Be Confused
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