& honestly there's no debate to be had the zendaya earrings are orders of magnitude worse than kim kardashian wearing that marilyn dress. yes that piece was a one of a kind unique textile made so specifically for marilyn monroe she had to be sewn into it. at the end of the day it was a ~70 year old usamerican cultural artefact being repurposed by an american for an american cultural event and everyone involved knows exactly where the dress came from + what happened to it + where it went afterwards. zendaya is wearing the looted (or forged) cultural heritage of a people her government is currently bombing & whose lives they have been deliberately making unliveable for decades to a movie premiere that has fuck all to do with iran. we don't know where those discs came from where they were found or by whom & we never will. AND the jeweller appears to have altered them substantially from their original condition. destroying a people's cultural heritage at the same time you destroy their country + their lives so you can look good on a red carpet One Time i want to fucking hurl
hi katha!! i admire your art a ton, and it's been motivating me to work even harder and to improve, but i feel a little stuck at times. do you happen to have any tips for composition, perspective and poses and such? how do you tackle those subjects? thank you for your time!! have a nice day!!
Hi! Thank you so much I'm so happy to hear that my art motivates you to draw!
Admittedly I'm not the best person to ask here, I don't really do studies or anything, often times I see something cool in art or observe certain things and then try to apply that to my drawings. I look at others art a lot or stare at things until I feel like I've grasped how something works so I can pull it off in my own art. With that being said I'm going to try my best to link some helpful resources I have saved, artists or medias I actively seek out for inspiration and whatever habit I picked up that helped me in these areas!
Here are some helpful resources:
Ot3 wrote a fantastic pdf about composition in art with many examples, breaking down the flow of them etc. It's free to download!
Link
Here are 2 different pdfs about compositions that a friend of mine send me a while ago: Link 1 and Link 2
There are lots and lots of examples of different types of compositions with easy to understand visual examples that I personally found very helpful :)
Also: If you specifically struggle with perspective in terms of backgrounds that involve a lot of architecture, a lot of artists swear by Blender. I used to use Blender for a while until a couple years ago, personally I don't enjoy 3D modeling and I prefer how my backgrounds look when I freestyle them with my wobbly lines but IF you have the patience to learn a new program I'm going to leave you a pdf with the basic key shortcuts here: Link
It can certainly be helpful even if you just use basic cubes for help.
When it comes to artists I actively seek out, Furudate Haruichi, Kei Urana and Kamome Shirahama have been huge inspirations to me.
I recommend at least flipping through some pages of Haikyuu, Gachiakuta and Witch Hat Atelier or looking up some of the artworks done for these Manga to see what I mean :)
Here are some examples:
Witch Hat Atelier
Haikyuu
Haikyuu specifically is one of the reasons why I enjoy doing group character drawings!
Gachiakuta
In my opinion all of these artists excel when it comes to compositions and leading the viewers eye and you can probably learn a lot just by looking at stuff.
Obviously I'm very biased in my taste but I still hope pointing out some inspirations can be helpful ;)
Increasing your visual library is something that happens over time and which will inevitably help you in your art journey. Try to seek inspiration in everything. When I'm outside I try to actively look at my surroundings to memorize how thinks work. Pay closer attention to shot compositions in movies or shows, page composition in comics, compositions in paintings etc. Keeping an open mind to everything around you and approach everything with a certain amount of curiosity.
Another thing I like to do is doodle on lose scrap paper or on a digital canvas. I always use pens I cant erase and usually just loosely doodle some pose or this and that. This is the reason why I have a very lose sketching style, I don't use a lot of lines usually. On a digital canvas I just doodle and then delete and then doodle and then delete. It's relaxing to me and I don't try to make an actual drawing, I just...doodle :D
When I draw in my sketchbook I do a rough sketch with colored pencils and a clean one with a normal pencil on top. I can still erase a colored one but not as well. This really helped me in letting go of that perfectionism and stiffness.
Here is a recent example
My apologies if my answer is very all over the place but I still hope you find some of these things helpful. I wish you much luck on your art journey and I hope you don't feel stuck anymore as soon as possible!
So this is a somewhat-detailed essay on the references made in character names of the locked tomb series. And by somewhat detailed I mean not extremely detailed, but including majority of the major characters of the series. The original first half of this essay was posted here. I've edited it slightly and added the rest of the characters to make this full cumulative list. I've spent way too long on this lmao I hope it's somewhat thought-provoking.
As always—
HEAVY SPOILERS for the entire locked tomb series (as in. So heavy pls don’t read if you have not finished all three books)
and
If I misremembered anything from tlt or other plays/books/histories OR made a mistake in translation please let me know!
So I'm both a linguistic and literary student, so the naming of characters in tlt have always been interesting to me. But then I sat down and made a list, and realized they (alongside most aspects of the series) are insanely complicated.
First things first, we have to remember John renames all his original followers, his saints, after the first resurrection. He is the only one that understands the references that their names make, so their names are a bit of an inside joke with himself. So while the majority of character names in tlt have more to do with what Tamsyn wants us to think of a character, we have to keep John in mind for a handful of them.
I wanted to start with our girl Gideon, but as Gideon is really Gideon II, I just had to start with Gideon Prime.
'G1deon', I'm fairly certain, comes from the biblical judge of the same name. Gideon is a Jew under Midianite rule, a son of one of the least families in the house of Manasseh. God calls him to liberate the Jews from Midianite oppression. Gideon is a bit of a doubter, so he asks God to send a few signs to prove He's God, and God does so. Then Gideon goes into badass warrior mode and slays a bunch of people. He's known as a warrior, or a soldier, but that's only due to God. He's not a warrior naturally, or on his own accord. He is God's sword, in the sense that it is not his movements but God's that make the impact. He is just the tool God is working through.
I'd think John named Gideon Original Flavor based on the 'faithful warrior of God' aspect, either unknowing or ignoring the 'not a natural warrior, only because of God, tool of God' aspect. (Which. I do believe applies as well. Whether willing or unwilling, Gideon Classic has been John's tool (and his sword) since long before the resurrection.
Our Gideon, of course, is named after the original G1deon in the belief that her mother was shouting her name, and not the name of the man that betrayed her. She is also importantly, not named by John, so a lot of those previous connotations don't carry over. Through the eyes of the audience, though, she carries some aspects of the biblical Gideon as well. Maybe Harrow is her 'god', the one she's supposed to serve, but she's doubtful and even angry and dismissive. Then she accepts the role, due to Harrow 'proving' herself within her role (I believe the pool scene, of many, is proof of Harrow being a 'holy' figure to Gideon; one worth dying for). I also think Gideon, as Kiriona, becomes a sort of replacement Gideon Zero for John in ntn. The 'warrior' that 'God' uses to push His will, His wrath. She becomes his sword.
Ofc Gideon has many more Jesus parallels than Judge Gideon that I can think of, but everyone had Jesus parallels in this series.
Kiriona, as we know, is the Maori translation/pronunciation of 'Gideon'. (It is also specifically the translated name given to the biblical judge Gideon!) It makes sense that John would want to rename his daughter, likely wanting no reminder of the original G1deon. Kiriona is an interesting choice, however. I think part of it is John wanting, somewhat, to be an actual father. Wanting to share some of his long-dead culture with his daughter. Her culture. He names all his saints and friends after mythological, biblical, literary and catholic figures. But he names his daughter a version of her name from his culture. Like he's trying to pass it down. It's somewhat a sweet gesture.
However, I also want to mention John stripping away her given name. I mentioned this in another post, but at the end of gtn, Gideon accepts herself as a 'niner'. Nav is a ninth name, she says. 'For the ninth', she says as she dies. And when she's brought back, all aspects of the ninth are stripped from her name. (This happens with Harrow and Ianthe as well, each becoming the 'first'; their house names being replaced by their cavaliers. Harrow the first, instead of Harrow the ninth. Ianthe Naberius, not Ianthe Triidentarius. Their house identity is stripped from them. As sweet as the renaming of 'Kiriona' can seem, there's also a violating aspect of it.)
And, on the topic of Gideon 'Nav'. I couldn't find anything particular (like the biblical Gideon) to draw the surname back to. However! I am Slavic so I know that Nav (навь in Russian) is a name for the underworld, and stems from the Proto-Slavic word for 'death' or 'corpse'. This all obviously links back to 'Nav' as a niner name, a name meaning death and linked to necromancy in every sense. (I think it's also interesting considering how Gideon, becomes Kiriona, and how that pertains to 'corpse'. It may've been foreshadowing.)
Harrow is interesting as a name, as there's not any particular literary reference I can think of. The only one is a biblical/theological idea of the 'harrowing of hell', which could pertain to her role with the river. 'Harrow' means to distress over something, or 'a cause of darkness or gloom'. (It's also a tool used to till soil, which, I think could also pertain to her. Tilling the soil? Growing? Earth? Making the Earth ready for the coming of spring? Of crops? Alecto? Idk maybe I'm reaching.)
'Hark', the second part of her name, means 'to sing of', or to 'bring out'. 'To announce'. As in the carol, 'Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn king'. It's an announcement, a song. It's not necessarily good or bad news— just a loud, important announcement. Put those two names together, 'Harrowhark'. Announcing, singing of coming darkness. Hark, the coming distress. 'I am a harbringer of the coming hell'. The most emo-ass name of all time, but also so unbelievably Harrow, as she is the announcer, for Alecto, for the end of their current universe structure and everything John has done, and for the hell of the river.
'Nona', both as Nona herself and the first half of Harrow's surname, means nine. This is fairly easy to remember; makes sense in Harrow's name, and is an aspect of Harrow that Nona carries alongside her body. I'm a bit blank to how 'Nona' as a name pertains to her character, (besides 'No-no' coming into play), specifically how 'nine' pertains to Nona, besides sharing Harrow's body. If anyone has any ideas, I'd love to know.
I had to look this up, so I may be wrong, but the '-gessimus' of Harrow's surname seems to mean 'we have carried', or, 'we have borned', in Latin. Put this together with the 'nona-', and we have 'we have carried the nine'. Or more specific to Harrow, 'carried the ninth'. I've also seen that 'nonagessimus' as a whole literally translates to 'ninetieth', which would make sense as well. If it has been ten thousand years since the resurrection, if every niner lives to as old and decrepit as Gideon describes, Harrow very well may be the ninetieth daughter of her house.
Going to quickly go through the rest of the ninth house. 'Crux', of course, is another name for a cross, making sense of the ninth's catholic-like religious devotion. It can also mean the most important, or the most difficult point of a subject, which I find particularly funny. 'Aiglamene' I couldn't find anything in particular for, but I've heard that some people think it refers to the French word 'aigla', which means 'eagle'. 'Ortus' seems to be the Latin word for 'beginning' or 'sunrise'. There's also this post and its comments that goes into how Ortus seems to be an anagram for Gideon, and I find it really interesting.
Harrow's parents' names, Pelleamena and Priamhark, both stem from the Illiad. 'Pelleamena' from 'Peleus', the father of Achilles. 'Priam' is the old king of Troy, and the father of Hector, Paris, and Cassandra. Personally, I believe he's meant to be 'Priam' as in Cassandra's father, making Harrow a Cassandra figure. Cassandra, a prophetess famously known for being cursed so that no one would believe her prophecies. Sound familiar? A 'crazy' girl with visions no one believes? (Also Harrow is named for her father, carrying down the last half of his name, which is interesting to me.)
I'm more curious about 'Pelleamena', as that would make Harrow an Achilles figure. I haven't read the Illiad in years, so forgive me if I can't remember any obvious connections. The only connection I can vaguely make is 'the river' in htn being linked to the river styx. A river in greek mythos dividing the land of the living and the dead. Sound familiar? It also tends to kill those who wander into it, or make people go insane. Also familiar. Achilles famously gets dipped in the river styx as a baby to become invulnerable. (Though I'm like 90% certain that's a myth within a myth, and in greek canon it was rumor spread to justify how much of a beast he was in battle). Maybe a connection could be both of them losing a 'lover' in sacrifice (patroculus donning achilles's armor to lead the battle, resulting in his death; gideon sacrificing herself so harrow could ascend to lyctorhood) but even then I'm not sure?? Achilles tracks down Hector (who killed patroculus) and drags his dead body around the city. Harrow lobotomizes herself. Hurting themself, or another, to avenge or forget.
If anyone can draw any more connections please let me know.
Anastasia the first— 'Anastasia' is a name of both Greek and Russian Origin that means 'resurrection'. This seems to pertain to the resurrection of Alecto. (Anastasia was obviously very committed to Alecto, dying near her and keeping her tomb safe as a sort of guardian figure). It can also pertain to how religious to the ninth is, 'resurrection' being a very religious term. It's likely John didn't name her himself, as she was part of the second generation of followers. (And never ascended to Lyctorhood) Therefore, her name seems more in line with the naming traditions or trends of the time.
Samael Novenary, her cavalier. At first I thought it was an interesting spelling of the name 'Samuel', but no, I'm just religiously incompetent. 'Samael' is an archangel in Jewish folklore, who is very much a Satan-like figure! He is the head angel of death! The seducer! However, he is not just linked to being evil. He is still regarded as part of the heavenly host, and many of his actions result in good. His morality isn't strictly black or white, it seems. Whether he's evil or not seems to be based on what kind of period of the religion you ask. John didn't name him either, but it is still interestingly linked, as John ends up ordering for Samael's death, echoing the God-Satan Christianity parallels.
Nove- is Italian and Portuguese for nine. 'Nary' can often mean 'nay', or 'not'. 'but nary a poem to stock up my head'. I'm also reminded of 'Canary', which to me links to Harrow being the 'singer' , the songbird of the ninth, or of death. Making Harrow the Canary in the Coalmine. (I love to reach a bit far ignore me if I do so.)
Eighth house! Column Asht. At first, I have no idea what 'Column' could mean, besides a large, sturdy pillar. But I checked the tlt wiki, and apparently Column comes from the latin 'columba', 'dove'. Column and each of his brothers is named after sacrificial animals. (His brother 'Ram' is obvious, and then there's 'Capris', which comes from 'Capra-', 'goat'.) This theme is apt, for the role he plays in gtn.
'Asht', means eight in Sanskrit.
'Silas Octakiseron' is a bit more chewable. 'Octa-' is eight, obviously, and the closest I can find to '-kiseron' is 'kiseru', the name of a Japanese smoking pipe. Do what that what you will, perhaps it has no connection. 'Silas' is a bit more interesting. Silas, or Saint Silas, is a follower of the Apostle Paul in the biblical New Testament and one of the early leaders of the Christian church. (Don't worry, Paul gets their own section). He is known as a great man of faith, accompanies Paul in a few adventures, and is honestly unmemorable besides that. The most interesting thing about him is his name, as scholars always argue about what his name actually is. (I've seen 'Silas', 'Silvanus', or 'Seila', depending on if you're using Latin, Greek, Aramaic, Hebrew, and so on.)
I'm also reminded of the novel 'Silas Marner', which I have not read since middle school so I don't remember almost any of it. Silas Marner is famously framed for a crime he did not commit. He also adopts a girl (?). That is literally all I remember.
Mercymorn! I love Mercy so much she's so awful and complicated. As far as I remember she's never given a surname and is only referred to as 'the first' or as 'the saint of joy'. 'Mercymorn', of course, is not an actual name, and I couldn't find anything that pertained to it originally as a full name.
'Mercy', of course, is the act of not giving someone punishment that they deserve. 'Morn', can come from 'morning', the dawn of a day, but I also think of 'mourn', as in mourning. My first thought is when Mercymorn stabbed Harrow in htn. Not everyone sees it that way, but to me, it's always been a 'mercy kill'. So that Harrow, this lyctor that Mercymorn sees as a child (who is a child), doesn't have to deal with this post-John, post-Dominicus-collapsing bullshit.
I do wonder why John named Mercymorn this, as nothing immediately comes to mind. The dawn of mercy, makes sense, but I kind of prefer '-morn' as 'mourn'. If it's anything, Mercymorn is driven by her mourning for her fellow former lyctors, and especially Cristabell.
Cristabell! I miss her daily. Crista- seems to come from the 'Christ', and seems to be the exact kind of pun John would make. ('Christ'. For a nun. How funny, John.) He could've easily gone with 'Christine' or 'Christina', but he chose to make up a new name. I feel like that's a big part of John. He can't fully forget the past (remembering Cristabell as a nun, giving her a name pertaining to her faith), while also trying to forget everything that ever was and to make something new. Her name says more about John than it does her.
Also, Oct-, means eight. We're starting to see a pattern here.
Seventh house! Dulcinea is the name of the love interest of Don Quixote in, Don Quixote. It comes from the Spanish word 'dulce-', sweet. Here's the thing, though. Dulcinea does not exist. Don Quixote, in his head about being a knight, invents this sort of persona, the perfect princess/damsel/lady, and projects it onto a common girl. Who else does not actually exist in Gtn, and is actually someone else that our mc sees as a perfect love interest? DULCINEA. TAMSYN YOUR MIND IS INSANE. (It also pertains to how Palamedes's relationship with her went, somewhat).
Septimus, 'Sept-', of course, is seven.
Protesilaus is the name of a greek hero in the Illiad. There was a prophecy that the first warrior to step off his ship in the Trojan war would be the first to die. Protesilaus, of cours, does so, and is the first who dies. Who is the first to die in Gtn?
I'm so insufferable about this series my god. (Also his surname, Ebdoma, I think comes from the greek 'hebdomas', which, you guessed it, means seven)
Cytherea is an alternate name or variation (depending on who you ask) for the greek goddess Aphrodite! The goddess of love, beauty, sex— but also of victory and war, the more one goes back. (I think 'Cytherea' tends to refer more to Aphrodite's war goddess aspect) Again, part of the second gen of lyctors, so not personally named by John. Still, I think at first, we're supposed to think of her in the 'love and beauty' sense. What we see in the finale of gtn (what she becomes, and why), however, is definitely more the 'victory and war' aspect of her name. Though of course, those aspects, still stem from love.
Loveday, her cavalier, is interesting to me. 'Loveday' was briefly used in the Middle Ages as both a formal name and a nickname, referencing a 'Love Day', which was a day when quarreling or warring groups would get together to amicably sort out their differences, often with settlements and treaties. This makes me think of Loveday as a peacekeeper, someone who isn't fond of conflict. I also immensely love when people make the Seventh house medieval-influenced so this was a joy to discover.
Her surname, Heptane— hept, as in 'heptagon', means— (SEVEN, everyone shouts).
Sixth house! 'Palamedes' was a warrior that fought in the Trojan war, and is honestly a bit of a bastard. He's known for being very smart; being associated with dice and numbers. He had a rivalry with Odysseus, bc basically, when Odysseus pretended to be crazy to avoid going to war, Palamedes saw through it and made him go anyways. (He stuck Odysseus's baby son in front of a plow?? To trick him into saving him and proving he wasn't crazy? And you expect me to like him??). There's multiple accounts of his death, but most are pertained to Odysseus, who never really got over it.
Palamedes's name coming from someone known for his smarts makes sense. I do however wonder who his 'Odysseus' figure is meant to be. I could link it to Cytherea/Dulcinea, but I also wonder if it could be Ianthe, and their conflict continues in atn. (Especially after The unwanted guest', and how Pal stole Babs's body.)
'Palamedes' is also the name of a Knight of the Round Table in Arthurian Folklore! More notably he is a knight from the Middle East (Muir has more or less confirmed she imagines Cam and Pal as Middle Eastern). He, notably, fights for the hand of a maiden and loses (Dulcinea anyone?), and is the main hunter of the 'questing beast', a beast only chosen can slay. Which I feel could pertain more to Paul. Either way, I think both Palamedeses can pertain to our Sex Pal.
Sextus— 'sex', of course, means 'six'.
'Camilla', I believe, is a reference to Camilla, who is a warrior in Virgil's Aeniad. She's known for being a virgin warrior, and a huntress of Diana. She is often compared to Amazonian queens. She's killed by a spear to the breast, but avenged by a servant of Diana. I can definitely understand some connections, but I wonder most about the death aspect, and how that can possibly pertain to her. (I'd say we'd find out in Alecto, but I'm fairly certain the birth of Paul was both Camilla and Pal's deaths, so I'm uncertain about how this could relate.)
I know there's also a saint named Camilla Tamsyn could be referencing, but I don't know much about the saints, so I'll leave that for someone else to chew on.
Of course, 'Hect-', pertaining to 'hex'agon, six-sided—but 'hect' can also mean 'one hundred', as in 'hectogram' (One hundred grams).
Cassiopeia the first is almost certainly named after queen Cassiopeia, the mother of Andromeda in greek mythos. John must've somewhat disliked her or have been poking fun at her, as Queen Cassiopeia is infamously vain and prideful. In the mythos, she boasts that she is more beautiful than Poseidon's daughters. As gods do, he sends a sea monster to harass her kingdom, and so she sacrifices her daughter to it so it'll leave her alone. When her daughter, Andromeda, is rescued by Perseus, he (Perseus) thought she (Cassiopeia) should be punished, and 'chained her to a throne in the heavens', referencing the constellation. That. Is certainly a name one could give someone, is all I'm saying. For being her best man, you gave her a shitty name, John.
Her cavalier, Nigella. I have absolutely no idea what Nigella is a reference to, I'm sorry. (If someone does please let me knowww)
Shodash, Nigella's last name, means 'sixteen' in Hindi!
Abigail Pent! Abigail I believe refers to the biblical second wife of King David, BUT I also wanted to mention there's a Saint Abigail who is the patron of beekeepers and bees and I. Think that is wonderful. (My lack of knowledge of saints only pertains when bees are not included).
So biblical Abigail is married to this man, Nabal, who is famously an asshole. Nabal makes some sort of deal with David (? this part's fuzzy), and then refuses to stick to his part, or show gratitude or smthn. David, angry, goes to kill the mofo, but Abigail runs into them beforehand and begs for her husband's life and gives them a bunch of food and such if only they don't kill her husband. They're impressed by her loyalty and wisdom. Some scholars consider her a prophetess, some just think of her as an intelligent woman. Either way, God randomly strikes her husband down, and she's remarried to King David afterward.
'Abigail' is likely a reference to our Abigail's intelligence. Biblical Abigail is known as one of the wisest women in biblical text. However, I'm curious how this pertains otherwise. (And. I would really love to know how she and Magnus were married.)
'Pent-' likely refers to a 'pentagon'; 'five-sided', but I also think of pent as in 'confined', maybe referencing how they’re stuck in htn.
Magnus Quinn! I miss Magnus. So I'm not entirely sure but his name could reference Saint Magnus, or 'Magnus Erlendsson', from a trio of Nordic sagas. Again. Don't know much about saints. But apparently Saint Magnus was known for his 'piety' and 'gentleness', which I figure is as good of a reference as any. 'Magnus' was also a title in the Roman Empire, usually pertaining to Emperors, and means 'great' or 'strongly'.
Quinn means fifth. Obviously.
Augustine the first! The one saint we know the last name of- Quinque. (Which I'll save you the deal. Yes. 'Quin-' is five.)
Augustine is likely a reference to Saint Augustine, who even I know of. Saint Augustine was a philosopher and patron saint of theologians and doctors! (Which is very Augustine). What's more memorable to me specifically is his actions before his death— the Vandals, a germanic tribe, invaded the city, and supposedly Augustine excommunicated himself in an 'act of solidarity' with the sinners of his city. Which. Sounds very familiar to how our Augustine acted before his death. (However, Saint Augustine died of sickness if I remember correctly, not being plunged into a hell-mouth while wrestling God. I think.) (Also is anyone reminded of that bible story where Israel wrestles the holy ghost?? Could there be a parallel there somewhere??)
Augustine's cavalier and younger brother, Alfred Quinque, is likely named after Alfred the great, who was an Anglo-saxon king in the seventh century. Alfred the great was known for being a very intelligent and compassionate king who made a lot of changes within the nation for good. (I cannot remember specifcially, but I'm so certain Alfred and Cristabell collaborated to make some massive change towards Lyctorhood? Based on their compassion and understanding of the world? That's the main link I can think of.)
Fourth house!
Isaac Tettares, my actual son. 'Isaac' is almost certainly a reference to Isaac, the biblical son of Abraham. Abraham prays to God for a son for years, and he and his wife Sarah are far into retirement years before God grants the prayer, giving them Isaac. ('Isaac' supposedly means 'laughter', or 'causing laughter', as when Sarah heard the news, she laughed, thinking it was impossible. Which. Means a lot to me, personally.)
So when Isaac's a bit older and God suddenly demands Abraham sacrifices him, Abraham is. Understandably. Distraught. But nevermind they end up sacrificing a goat anyways THE MORAL IS Isaac is meant to be a foreshadowing for Jesus. The perfect, sinless lamb who must die to appease the sin of the world.
So our boy Isaac. If I remember correctly, he dies being speared by a construct's teeth.
Guess what Jesus figure gets speared in gtn.
Also Tettares, I believe, Tettar- is a bit like Tetra-, which means four.
Jeannemary Chatur! 'Jeanne-' is likely a reference to Jeanne d'Arc, better known as Joan of Arc. The parallels of a girl soldier jumping at the chance to fight and dying far too young are easy to draw.
Chatur means 'a set of four' in Sanskrit.
Ulysses is named after John's grandmother's dog. Who is named after Ulysses S. Grant. Who is a U.S. President known for leading the Union side to victory in the American Civil War. Which is particularly funny to me, considering Tamsyn is kiwi and (as far as I know) makes no other reference to American figures.
I also want to add, however, 'Ulysses' is the latin name for 'Odysseus', the main character of Homer's Odyssey and a central figure in Homer's Illiad. Odysseus has WAY too much going on so I'm not even going to try to see how the characters could link.
His cavalier, Titania Tetra.
'Titania' is the fairy queen from William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. Notably, she argues with her husband, and is magicked to fall in love with a guy with a donkey head. Long play short, she breaks from the spell and her and her husband make up. I have no idea what any of this has to do with Titania Tetra, but do with that what you will. I can't help but think how John 'magicked' her corpse into being well. Alive. But who knows.
'Tetra' means four!
Third house!
Naberius Tern. Tern is a water bird, as far as I know. 'Naberius', however, is apparently a demon and marquess of hell who appears in the Ars Goetia, talented in the art of persuasion, and often linked to the greek Cerberus. (As both are three-headed demons).
I. Have no clue what this could mean. Besides the fact that Babs is kind of a dick.
I will be honest. I am skipping Ianthe for this one. I will probably make her her own part! But Ianthe’s name appears in numerous works I have not read yet, and so I won’t understand in any sort which hers is a reference to, and why. But once I do I may make another part. (Or if someone knows what her name references! Let me know!)
Coronabeth my love! 'Corona' is Latin for crown, (Which links to her being the Crown Princess of Ida, as well as her Blood of Eden name.) 'Corona' also links to the sun's outer atmosphere, which I think suits her as well!
Also, like Harrow, Coronabeth inherited the last half of her name from her mother. Coronabeth, Violabeth. Harrowhark, Priamhark. I think Harrow and Corona echo each other in more ways than one and I'd love to write another essay on that.
Maybe in like. Six months.
Actually no I promise I'll write it when Alecto's release date is announced.
Tridentarius, Tri- means three. I also, like many other people believe the Third house is located on Neptune, so 'Trident', can also be a fun pun there. A 'trident' being the main weapon of the Roman ocean god Neptune.
ALSO IMPORTANT— Coronabeth and Ianthe were originally named 'Cainabeth' and 'Abella'. Which. Cain and Abel were the first siblings in the bible. Very infamously— Cain and Abel both offer sacrifices to God, and God blesses Abel, but not Cain, and in a rage, Cain kills Abel. Resulting in the first murder. And God curses Cain's bloodline. Sooo if their original names still impact things now, I have some ideas for how the Tridentarii are going to fare in atn.
Cyrus the First is likely a reference to Cyrus the Great. Who founded the Persian Empire and, Biblically, freed the Jews from Babylonian captivity. I do not know if we learn much about Cyrus the First (Except that his and Valancy's naked portraits are hanging on Ianthe's walls) so I'm unsure how it pertains.
Valancy Trinit, his cavalier. The name 'Valancy' probably comes from the Latin 'valens', means strong and powerful. Again, not much known about her besides the nude art thing and the fact that she and Cyrus are second-gen Lyctors. So who knows how this pertains.
And Trinit- as in trinity, as in three.
Second House!
Marta Dyas I'm a bit intrigued by, as 'Marta' is the biblical sister of Mary Magdalene. (Also spelled 'Martha', but I grew up with 'Marta' so I'm going to spell it that way.) Marta and her siblings are close friends and followers of Jesus, and Marta is seen as agressive and out-spoken in comparison to her sister Mary. When Jesus comes to visit, Marta complains of her sister not helping with the housework, which they were doing specifically to welcome Jesus into their home, (instead listening to Jesus's stories and lessons) and Jesus chides Marta, basically saying to stop worrying about earthly things and focus on the heavenly. (As Mary does, but he doesn't say that.) She also is somewhat upset at Jesus when her brother dies, saying 'If you had been here, he wouldn't have died, but I know you can still have whatever you wish from God', basically asking to bring him back. Which Jesus does do.
I haven't read As Yet Unsent in a hot second, where Marta is shown a bit more, so maybe this isn't a meaningless link? But I'm unaware of what else Marta could be a reference to.
Dyas is a group of two!
Judith Deuteros is almost certainly named after the biblical Judith. (And her last name stems from the book of Judith being deuterocanonical, part of the secondary canon, as well as having the 'deu-' mean 'two'. ) Judith charms an Assyrian general and kills him by cutting his head off. Basically saving Jerusalem in the process. Let’s just say I’m excited to see who Judith beheads.
Gideon Zero is already done, so let's skip right to the love of my life
Pyrrha Dve! Like Palamedes, there are two Pyrrhas I know of. Both are within greek mythos, one being the daughter of Pandora, and a part of a noah-like flood myth who goes on to repopulate the Earth with her husband by throwing stones. More likely, it refers to the name Achilles took on while disguised as a woman. Which would make Pyrrha an Achilles figure. Which. I could go far into, but I’m so tired of writing this I won’t.
I am also ashamed to say as a speaker of Russian it took me literally forever to figure out that Pyrrha's last name, Dve, is meant to be the Russian two, (две) in the feminine HOW DID I NOT NOTICE.
HONORABLE MENTIONS —
Paul. Paul almost 100% references the biblical Apostle Paul. However, since Paul is such a new character to the canon, it’s less about what their name pertains to now and more about what could happen to their character in atn.
Apostle Paul goes through a ton of shit, but I’ll list son of my favorites that could possibly pertain to/be adapted for our Paul in atn.
- Tons of missionary trips and letters explaining why the churches are behaving wrong (possibly pertaining to necromancy?)
- That one time where paul and silas were arrested but still stay in jail despite their chains being broken by an earthquake. (Causing their guard to convert bc they didnt run while he was asleep. As if they did that he wouldve been killed for being asleep.) (i have no idea what this could pertain to i just think it’d be cool)
- paul makes tents (no real reason, i just think it would be fun if paul made tents)
- gets shipwrecked and is bit by a poisonous snake but doesnt die (again. No real reason. Could be cool)
- head gets cut off?? (I think someone’s getting beheaded in atn and if it’s not John Paul is a likely contender.)
Continuing on—
The Blood of Eden Cast!
So according to Muir, traditional BoE names follow a three-part naming system. (Though we only see the full three parts in Wake's name, and supposedly a single part in the others.)
"Awake Remembrance of These Valiant Dead" is a reference to the play Henry V by William Shakespeare. The first part of a BoE name seems to have a literary and/or religious aspect to it.
The second part of Wake's name is "Kia Hua Ko Te Pai", which is "Let goodness flourish" and is a line in New Zealand's national anthem. The second part of a BoE name seems to have more to do with culture.
The third part, which the fandom loves to poke fun at, is "Snap Back to Reality Oops There Goes Gravity," from Eminem's song "Lose Yourself". However, an important part of BoE naming culture I want to touch on is described in this post that I was sent by a friend (shoutout to the lovely @bonewennch who is the world's biggest Wake fan) when writing this essay.
Tl;Dr, BoE does not know what parts of Earth history are 'important'. John, who was there, names his friends and followers after 'important', 'historical' figures, figures that have some level of intelligence tied to them. Things that are considered “high” culture. But he was there. BoE was not; only their ansecestors were. So they're attempting to conserve AS MUCH OF EARTH'S HISTORY as possible. And to them? Why is a rap song less important than a mythological figure? It's a part of their lost history all the same, and they are doing all they can to perserve it.
"Our lady of the Passion", Pash, seems to be a reference to the Virgin Mary— 'our lady of' is how majority of her titles begin, and 'Virgin of the Passion' is a famous painting by Emmanuel Tzanfournaris depicting the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus. This seems to be the first part of Pash's name, referencing a religious or artistic figure.
AIM has more or less been confirmed to mean 'AOL Instant Messenger'. So we can more or less say that 'AIM' is the last third of her name. The third part of a BoE name seems more or less to reference 'pop culture' in some way or form.
Crown him With Many Crowns, Coronabeth's BoE name, seems to be the first part of her name, as it references a 1851 hymn of the same name—'Crown him with many crowns, The Lamb upon his throne,'
We Suffer and We Suffer seems to be a literary reference. The tlt wiki references it as coming from Robert Fagles' translation of Aeschylus' Agamemnon: "CHORUS: But Justice turns the balance scales, sees that we suffer and we suffer and we learn." It is likely the first part of her name.
And shoutout to Nona's gang bc I am not even attempting to tackle that.
And finally:
Alecto is an interesting case. If I remember correctly, John didn't name her Alecto personally. He named her A.L. Annabel Lee. Almost certainly a reference to the Edgar Allan Poe Poem of the same name. The poem 'Annabel Lee' tells a tale of a girl that the narrator is in love with. Long poem short (It's not that long actually), Annabel Lee and the narrator are in love, Annabel Lee is killed by angels who are jealous of her and their love, the narrator is sad and mourns her. But what's more interesting is the specific stanzas that one could reference directly. (One of the few of these books I have a copy of!) I've pulled a few of my favorites.
'And this maiden she lived with no other thought/Than to love and be loved by me.'
'To shut her up in a sepulchre/In this kingdom by the sea.'
'And neither the angels in Heaven above/Nor the demons down under the sea/Can ever dissever my soul from the soul/Of the beautiful Annabel Lee'
'In her sepulchre there by the sea/In her tomb by the sounding sea.'
The references to the tomb are fairly obvious. (A 'sepulchre' is a room of stone in which a person is buried. So.)
So did John always know, that he would imprison her? Or when he realized he was afraid of her, did he think back to the poem and think, 'a tomb by the sea. that's a good idea.' Did he always know she was meant to end up like this?? What's your thought process John.
The other two stanzas obviously reference the relationship between Alecto and John, ('I still love you', 'you said that too',) and 'can never dissever my soul from the soul', obviously referencing Alecto's creation and the concept of lyctorhood in of itself.
But Alecto? Alecto is the name of a fury in greek mythos. Servants of hades. (Both as in the god, and as in hell itself.) Goddesses of Wrath, harbingers of vengeance. The ones who punish those who have done wrong. This 100% lines up with the Alecto we think of. A harbringer of vengeance. The thing with the furies is that they're not always considered 'evil', but rather bringers of justice. Bringing it in a bit of a horrifying way, however. SO Alecto to me.
I cannot remember if it was ever explained who named Alecto or why they named her that. If anyone remembers please tell me.
Now, John.
John fucking Gaius.
'John' is a lot more convoluted, so let's start with Gaius. Gaius obvious stems from 'Gaia', the greek primordial being of the earth. John adopted this name post-ressurection. A post on here mentions that John's name reflects the traditional naming of a lyctor. 'Ianthe Naberius'. "John Gaius". Alecto, the Earth, his cavalier. He's taken on both the name of the earth, his destruction, and his cavalier. It makes me feel a bit insane.
(I wonder how this will reflect in Kiriona Gaia. Bc yes, we could go with the obvious 'she's just taking on his name as most children do' but names are so important to tlt i can't imagine that's the only reason. 'Gaia', the Earth, means something for Kiriona.)
'John' is harder, because there's a fuck ton of Johns. There are a lot. Of biblical Johns. But here are the most relevent.
John the Baptist is a sort of 'forerunner' for Jesus, his literal cousin. He declares Baptism as a symbol of repentance, and that he baptizes not with water, but with the holy spirit. He baptizes Jesus. He's a wild man. Living in the wilderness. Eating bugs. He later criticizes a king for marrying his brother's ex-wife and gets beheaded (at the request of the kings stepdaughter, whose mom made her ask for it) and allegedly served on a platter. So do with that what you will.
John the Apostle was the youngest disciple of Jesus. He likely wrote the book of John, which are the verses we see referenced in John's chapters in ntn. He's also considered the cousin of Jesus in many traditions, and 'the disciple whom Jesus loved'. He spends majority of the new testament following Jesus around like some cool older cousin. When Jesus is dying on the cross, he commands John take in his mother as his own, which John does. Later, John goes on to help found the beginnings of the Christian church. Some accounts say he was plunged into boiling water for his faith (?) but escaped? And later died of old age.
John of Patmos is a likely contender, I feel. He is (allegedly) the author of the book of Revelation. Which. I'll be honest, I've never finished bc it scared the hell out of me as a kid. But know vaguely a few things of Revelation, I could totally see it pertaining to John. So. If you have any answers to that let me know.
In conclusion, I have no idea which ‘John’ John Gaius is a reference to.
And If John does die in atn, I hope he's either getting beheaded or boiled alive.
Reminder that majority of this is unconfirmed and just speculation! Also I didn't do much research doing this it was mostly from memory! (Which. Is why I say ‘I don’t know’ so much I made this for fun I don’t know all that much!)
So forgive me if I am very, very wrong! (And correct me!) And thank you if you actually read this far!
So this is a somewhat-detailed essay on the references made in character names of the locked tomb series. And by somewhat detailed I mean not extremely detailed, but including majority of the major characters of the series. The original first half of this essay was posted here. I've edited it slightly and added the rest of the characters to make this full cumulative list. I've spent way too long on this lmao I hope it's somewhat thought-provoking.
As always—
HEAVY SPOILERS for the entire locked tomb series (as in. So heavy pls don’t read if you have not finished all three books)
and
If I misremembered anything from tlt or other plays/books/histories OR made a mistake in translation please let me know!
So I'm both a linguistic and literary student, so the naming of characters in tlt have always been interesting to me. But then I sat down and made a list, and realized they (alongside most aspects of the series) are insanely complicated.
First things first, we have to remember John renames all his original followers, his saints, after the first resurrection. He is the only one that understands the references that their names make, so their names are a bit of an inside joke with himself. So while the majority of character names in tlt have more to do with what Tamsyn wants us to think of a character, we have to keep John in mind for a handful of them.
I wanted to start with our girl Gideon, but as Gideon is really Gideon II, I just had to start with Gideon Prime.
'G1deon', I'm fairly certain, comes from the biblical judge of the same name. Gideon is a Jew under Midianite rule, a son of one of the least families in the house of Manasseh. God calls him to liberate the Jews from Midianite oppression. Gideon is a bit of a doubter, so he asks God to send a few signs to prove He's God, and God does so. Then Gideon goes into badass warrior mode and slays a bunch of people. He's known as a warrior, or a soldier, but that's only due to God. He's not a warrior naturally, or on his own accord. He is God's sword, in the sense that it is not his movements but God's that make the impact. He is just the tool God is working through.
I'd think John named Gideon Original Flavor based on the 'faithful warrior of God' aspect, either unknowing or ignoring the 'not a natural warrior, only because of God, tool of God' aspect. (Which. I do believe applies as well. Whether willing or unwilling, Gideon Classic has been John's tool (and his sword) since long before the resurrection.
Our Gideon, of course, is named after the original G1deon in the belief that her mother was shouting her name, and not the name of the man that betrayed her. She is also importantly, not named by John, so a lot of those previous connotations don't carry over. Through the eyes of the audience, though, she carries some aspects of the biblical Gideon as well. Maybe Harrow is her 'god', the one she's supposed to serve, but she's doubtful and even angry and dismissive. Then she accepts the role, due to Harrow 'proving' herself within her role (I believe the pool scene, of many, is proof of Harrow being a 'holy' figure to Gideon; one worth dying for). I also think Gideon, as Kiriona, becomes a sort of replacement Gideon Zero for John in ntn. The 'warrior' that 'God' uses to push His will, His wrath. She becomes his sword.
Ofc Gideon has many more Jesus parallels than Judge Gideon that I can think of, but everyone had Jesus parallels in this series.
Kiriona, as we know, is the Maori translation/pronunciation of 'Gideon'. (It is also specifically the translated name given to the biblical judge Gideon!) It makes sense that John would want to rename his daughter, likely wanting no reminder of the original G1deon. Kiriona is an interesting choice, however. I think part of it is John wanting, somewhat, to be an actual father. Wanting to share some of his long-dead culture with his daughter. Her culture. He names all his saints and friends after mythological, biblical, literary and catholic figures. But he names his daughter a version of her name from his culture. Like he's trying to pass it down. It's somewhat a sweet gesture.
However, I also want to mention John stripping away her given name. I mentioned this in another post, but at the end of gtn, Gideon accepts herself as a 'niner'. Nav is a ninth name, she says. 'For the ninth', she says as she dies. And when she's brought back, all aspects of the ninth are stripped from her name. (This happens with Harrow and Ianthe as well, each becoming the 'first'; their house names being replaced by their cavaliers. Harrow the first, instead of Harrow the ninth. Ianthe Naberius, not Ianthe Triidentarius. Their house identity is stripped from them. As sweet as the renaming of 'Kiriona' can seem, there's also a violating aspect of it.)
And, on the topic of Gideon 'Nav'. I couldn't find anything particular (like the biblical Gideon) to draw the surname back to. However! I am Slavic so I know that Nav (навь in Russian) is a name for the underworld, and stems from the Proto-Slavic word for 'death' or 'corpse'. This all obviously links back to 'Nav' as a niner name, a name meaning death and linked to necromancy in every sense. (I think it's also interesting considering how Gideon, becomes Kiriona, and how that pertains to 'corpse'. It may've been foreshadowing.)
Harrow is interesting as a name, as there's not any particular literary reference I can think of. The only one is a biblical/theological idea of the 'harrowing of hell', which could pertain to her role with the river. 'Harrow' means to distress over something, or 'a cause of darkness or gloom'. (It's also a tool used to till soil, which, I think could also pertain to her. Tilling the soil? Growing? Earth? Making the Earth ready for the coming of spring? Of crops? Alecto? Idk maybe I'm reaching.)
'Hark', the second part of her name, means 'to sing of', or to 'bring out'. 'To announce'. As in the carol, 'Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn king'. It's an announcement, a song. It's not necessarily good or bad news— just a loud, important announcement. Put those two names together, 'Harrowhark'. Announcing, singing of coming darkness. Hark, the coming distress. 'I am a harbringer of the coming hell'. The most emo-ass name of all time, but also so unbelievably Harrow, as she is the announcer, for Alecto, for the end of their current universe structure and everything John has done, and for the hell of the river.
'Nona', both as Nona herself and the first half of Harrow's surname, means nine. This is fairly easy to remember; makes sense in Harrow's name, and is an aspect of Harrow that Nona carries alongside her body. I'm a bit blank to how 'Nona' as a name pertains to her character, (besides 'No-no' coming into play), specifically how 'nine' pertains to Nona, besides sharing Harrow's body. If anyone has any ideas, I'd love to know.
I had to look this up, so I may be wrong, but the '-gessimus' of Harrow's surname seems to mean 'we have carried', or, 'we have borned', in Latin. Put this together with the 'nona-', and we have 'we have carried the nine'. Or more specific to Harrow, 'carried the ninth'. I've also seen that 'nonagessimus' as a whole literally translates to 'ninetieth', which would make sense as well. If it has been ten thousand years since the resurrection, if every niner lives to as old and decrepit as Gideon describes, Harrow very well may be the ninetieth daughter of her house.
Going to quickly go through the rest of the ninth house. 'Crux', of course, is another name for a cross, making sense of the ninth's catholic-like religious devotion. It can also mean the most important, or the most difficult point of a subject, which I find particularly funny. 'Aiglamene' I couldn't find anything in particular for, but I've heard that some people think it refers to the French word 'aigla', which means 'eagle'. 'Ortus' seems to be the Latin word for 'beginning' or 'sunrise'. There's also this post and its comments that goes into how Ortus seems to be an anagram for Gideon, and I find it really interesting.
Harrow's parents' names, Pelleamena and Priamhark, both stem from the Illiad. 'Pelleamena' from 'Peleus', the father of Achilles. 'Priam' is the old king of Troy, and the father of Hector, Paris, and Cassandra. Personally, I believe he's meant to be 'Priam' as in Cassandra's father, making Harrow a Cassandra figure. Cassandra, a prophetess famously known for being cursed so that no one would believe her prophecies. Sound familiar? A 'crazy' girl with visions no one believes? (Also Harrow is named for her father, carrying down the last half of his name, which is interesting to me.)
I'm more curious about 'Pelleamena', as that would make Harrow an Achilles figure. I haven't read the Illiad in years, so forgive me if I can't remember any obvious connections. The only connection I can vaguely make is 'the river' in htn being linked to the river styx. A river in greek mythos dividing the land of the living and the dead. Sound familiar? It also tends to kill those who wander into it, or make people go insane. Also familiar. Achilles famously gets dipped in the river styx as a baby to become invulnerable. (Though I'm like 90% certain that's a myth within a myth, and in greek canon it was rumor spread to justify how much of a beast he was in battle). Maybe a connection could be both of them losing a 'lover' in sacrifice (patroculus donning achilles's armor to lead the battle, resulting in his death; gideon sacrificing herself so harrow could ascend to lyctorhood) but even then I'm not sure?? Achilles tracks down Hector (who killed patroculus) and drags his dead body around the city. Harrow lobotomizes herself. Hurting themself, or another, to avenge or forget.
If anyone can draw any more connections please let me know.
Anastasia the first— 'Anastasia' is a name of both Greek and Russian Origin that means 'resurrection'. This seems to pertain to the resurrection of Alecto. (Anastasia was obviously very committed to Alecto, dying near her and keeping her tomb safe as a sort of guardian figure). It can also pertain to how religious to the ninth is, 'resurrection' being a very religious term. It's likely John didn't name her himself, as she was part of the second generation of followers. (And never ascended to Lyctorhood) Therefore, her name seems more in line with the naming traditions or trends of the time.
Samael Novenary, her cavalier. At first I thought it was an interesting spelling of the name 'Samuel', but no, I'm just religiously incompetent. 'Samael' is an archangel in Jewish folklore, who is very much a Satan-like figure! He is the head angel of death! The seducer! However, he is not just linked to being evil. He is still regarded as part of the heavenly host, and many of his actions result in good. His morality isn't strictly black or white, it seems. Whether he's evil or not seems to be based on what kind of period of the religion you ask. John didn't name him either, but it is still interestingly linked, as John ends up ordering for Samael's death, echoing the God-Satan Christianity parallels.
Nove- is Italian and Portuguese for nine. 'Nary' can often mean 'nay', or 'not'. 'but nary a poem to stock up my head'. I'm also reminded of 'Canary', which to me links to Harrow being the 'singer' , the songbird of the ninth, or of death. Making Harrow the Canary in the Coalmine. (I love to reach a bit far ignore me if I do so.)
Eighth house! Column Asht. At first, I have no idea what 'Column' could mean, besides a large, sturdy pillar. But I checked the tlt wiki, and apparently Column comes from the latin 'columba', 'dove'. Column and each of his brothers is named after sacrificial animals. (His brother 'Ram' is obvious, and then there's 'Capris', which comes from 'Capra-', 'goat'.) This theme is apt, for the role he plays in gtn.
'Asht', means eight in Sanskrit.
'Silas Octakiseron' is a bit more chewable. 'Octa-' is eight, obviously, and the closest I can find to '-kiseron' is 'kiseru', the name of a Japanese smoking pipe. Do what that what you will, perhaps it has no connection. 'Silas' is a bit more interesting. Silas, or Saint Silas, is a follower of the Apostle Paul in the biblical New Testament and one of the early leaders of the Christian church. (Don't worry, Paul gets their own section). He is known as a great man of faith, accompanies Paul in a few adventures, and is honestly unmemorable besides that. The most interesting thing about him is his name, as scholars always argue about what his name actually is. (I've seen 'Silas', 'Silvanus', or 'Seila', depending on if you're using Latin, Greek, Aramaic, Hebrew, and so on.)
I'm also reminded of the novel 'Silas Marner', which I have not read since middle school so I don't remember almost any of it. Silas Marner is famously framed for a crime he did not commit. He also adopts a girl (?). That is literally all I remember.
Mercymorn! I love Mercy so much she's so awful and complicated. As far as I remember she's never given a surname and is only referred to as 'the first' or as 'the saint of joy'. 'Mercymorn', of course, is not an actual name, and I couldn't find anything that pertained to it originally as a full name.
'Mercy', of course, is the act of not giving someone punishment that they deserve. 'Morn', can come from 'morning', the dawn of a day, but I also think of 'mourn', as in mourning. My first thought is when Mercymorn stabbed Harrow in htn. Not everyone sees it that way, but to me, it's always been a 'mercy kill'. So that Harrow, this lyctor that Mercymorn sees as a child (who is a child), doesn't have to deal with this post-John, post-Dominicus-collapsing bullshit.
I do wonder why John named Mercymorn this, as nothing immediately comes to mind. The dawn of mercy, makes sense, but I kind of prefer '-morn' as 'mourn'. If it's anything, Mercymorn is driven by her mourning for her fellow former lyctors, and especially Cristabell.
Cristabell! I miss her daily. Crista- seems to come from the 'Christ', and seems to be the exact kind of pun John would make. ('Christ'. For a nun. How funny, John.) He could've easily gone with 'Christine' or 'Christina', but he chose to make up a new name. I feel like that's a big part of John. He can't fully forget the past (remembering Cristabell as a nun, giving her a name pertaining to her faith), while also trying to forget everything that ever was and to make something new. Her name says more about John than it does her.
Also, Oct-, means eight. We're starting to see a pattern here.
Seventh house! Dulcinea is the name of the love interest of Don Quixote in, Don Quixote. It comes from the Spanish word 'dulce-', sweet. Here's the thing, though. Dulcinea does not exist. Don Quixote, in his head about being a knight, invents this sort of persona, the perfect princess/damsel/lady, and projects it onto a common girl. Who else does not actually exist in Gtn, and is actually someone else that our mc sees as a perfect love interest? DULCINEA. TAMSYN YOUR MIND IS INSANE. (It also pertains to how Palamedes's relationship with her went, somewhat).
Septimus, 'Sept-', of course, is seven.
Protesilaus is the name of a greek hero in the Illiad. There was a prophecy that the first warrior to step off his ship in the Trojan war would be the first to die. Protesilaus, of cours, does so, and is the first who dies. Who is the first to die in Gtn?
I'm so insufferable about this series my god. (Also his surname, Ebdoma, I think comes from the greek 'hebdomas', which, you guessed it, means seven)
Cytherea is an alternate name or variation (depending on who you ask) for the greek goddess Aphrodite! The goddess of love, beauty, sex— but also of victory and war, the more one goes back. (I think 'Cytherea' tends to refer more to Aphrodite's war goddess aspect) Again, part of the second gen of lyctors, so not personally named by John. Still, I think at first, we're supposed to think of her in the 'love and beauty' sense. What we see in the finale of gtn (what she becomes, and why), however, is definitely more the 'victory and war' aspect of her name. Though of course, those aspects, still stem from love.
Loveday, her cavalier, is interesting to me. 'Loveday' was briefly used in the Middle Ages as both a formal name and a nickname, referencing a 'Love Day', which was a day when quarreling or warring groups would get together to amicably sort out their differences, often with settlements and treaties. This makes me think of Loveday as a peacekeeper, someone who isn't fond of conflict. I also immensely love when people make the Seventh house medieval-influenced so this was a joy to discover.
Her surname, Heptane— hept, as in 'heptagon', means— (SEVEN, everyone shouts).
Sixth house! 'Palamedes' was a warrior that fought in the Trojan war, and is honestly a bit of a bastard. He's known for being very smart; being associated with dice and numbers. He had a rivalry with Odysseus, bc basically, when Odysseus pretended to be crazy to avoid going to war, Palamedes saw through it and made him go anyways. (He stuck Odysseus's baby son in front of a plow?? To trick him into saving him and proving he wasn't crazy? And you expect me to like him??). There's multiple accounts of his death, but most are pertained to Odysseus, who never really got over it.
Palamedes's name coming from someone known for his smarts makes sense. I do however wonder who his 'Odysseus' figure is meant to be. I could link it to Cytherea/Dulcinea, but I also wonder if it could be Ianthe, and their conflict continues in atn. (Especially after The unwanted guest', and how Pal stole Babs's body.)
'Palamedes' is also the name of a Knight of the Round Table in Arthurian Folklore! More notably he is a knight from the Middle East (Muir has more or less confirmed she imagines Cam and Pal as Middle Eastern). He, notably, fights for the hand of a maiden and loses (Dulcinea anyone?), and is the main hunter of the 'questing beast', a beast only chosen can slay. Which I feel could pertain more to Paul. Either way, I think both Palamedeses can pertain to our Sex Pal.
Sextus— 'sex', of course, means 'six'.
'Camilla', I believe, is a reference to Camilla, who is a warrior in Virgil's Aeniad. She's known for being a virgin warrior, and a huntress of Diana. She is often compared to Amazonian queens. She's killed by a spear to the breast, but avenged by a servant of Diana. I can definitely understand some connections, but I wonder most about the death aspect, and how that can possibly pertain to her. (I'd say we'd find out in Alecto, but I'm fairly certain the birth of Paul was both Camilla and Pal's deaths, so I'm uncertain about how this could relate.)
I know there's also a saint named Camilla Tamsyn could be referencing, but I don't know much about the saints, so I'll leave that for someone else to chew on.
Of course, 'Hect-', pertaining to 'hex'agon, six-sided—but 'hect' can also mean 'one hundred', as in 'hectogram' (One hundred grams).
Cassiopeia the first is almost certainly named after queen Cassiopeia, the mother of Andromeda in greek mythos. John must've somewhat disliked her or have been poking fun at her, as Queen Cassiopeia is infamously vain and prideful. In the mythos, she boasts that she is more beautiful than Poseidon's daughters. As gods do, he sends a sea monster to harass her kingdom, and so she sacrifices her daughter to it so it'll leave her alone. When her daughter, Andromeda, is rescued by Perseus, he (Perseus) thought she (Cassiopeia) should be punished, and 'chained her to a throne in the heavens', referencing the constellation. That. Is certainly a name one could give someone, is all I'm saying. For being her best man, you gave her a shitty name, John.
Her cavalier, Nigella. I have absolutely no idea what Nigella is a reference to, I'm sorry. (If someone does please let me knowww)
Shodash, Nigella's last name, means 'sixteen' in Hindi!
Abigail Pent! Abigail I believe refers to the biblical second wife of King David, BUT I also wanted to mention there's a Saint Abigail who is the patron of beekeepers and bees and I. Think that is wonderful. (My lack of knowledge of saints only pertains when bees are not included).
So biblical Abigail is married to this man, Nabal, who is famously an asshole. Nabal makes some sort of deal with David (? this part's fuzzy), and then refuses to stick to his part, or show gratitude or smthn. David, angry, goes to kill the mofo, but Abigail runs into them beforehand and begs for her husband's life and gives them a bunch of food and such if only they don't kill her husband. They're impressed by her loyalty and wisdom. Some scholars consider her a prophetess, some just think of her as an intelligent woman. Either way, God randomly strikes her husband down, and she's remarried to King David afterward.
'Abigail' is likely a reference to our Abigail's intelligence. Biblical Abigail is known as one of the wisest women in biblical text. However, I'm curious how this pertains otherwise. (And. I would really love to know how she and Magnus were married.)
'Pent-' likely refers to a 'pentagon'; 'five-sided', but I also think of pent as in 'confined', maybe referencing how they’re stuck in htn.
Magnus Quinn! I miss Magnus. So I'm not entirely sure but his name could reference Saint Magnus, or 'Magnus Erlendsson', from a trio of Nordic sagas. Again. Don't know much about saints. But apparently Saint Magnus was known for his 'piety' and 'gentleness', which I figure is as good of a reference as any. 'Magnus' was also a title in the Roman Empire, usually pertaining to Emperors, and means 'great' or 'strongly'.
Quinn means fifth. Obviously.
Augustine the first! The one saint we know the last name of- Quinque. (Which I'll save you the deal. Yes. 'Quin-' is five.)
Augustine is likely a reference to Saint Augustine, who even I know of. Saint Augustine was a philosopher and patron saint of theologians and doctors! (Which is very Augustine). What's more memorable to me specifically is his actions before his death— the Vandals, a germanic tribe, invaded the city, and supposedly Augustine excommunicated himself in an 'act of solidarity' with the sinners of his city. Which. Sounds very familiar to how our Augustine acted before his death. (However, Saint Augustine died of sickness if I remember correctly, not being plunged into a hell-mouth while wrestling God. I think.) (Also is anyone reminded of that bible story where Israel wrestles the holy ghost?? Could there be a parallel there somewhere??)
Augustine's cavalier and younger brother, Alfred Quinque, is likely named after Alfred the great, who was an Anglo-saxon king in the seventh century. Alfred the great was known for being a very intelligent and compassionate king who made a lot of changes within the nation for good. (I cannot remember specifcially, but I'm so certain Alfred and Cristabell collaborated to make some massive change towards Lyctorhood? Based on their compassion and understanding of the world? That's the main link I can think of.)
Fourth house!
Isaac Tettares, my actual son. 'Isaac' is almost certainly a reference to Isaac, the biblical son of Abraham. Abraham prays to God for a son for years, and he and his wife Sarah are far into retirement years before God grants the prayer, giving them Isaac. ('Isaac' supposedly means 'laughter', or 'causing laughter', as when Sarah heard the news, she laughed, thinking it was impossible. Which. Means a lot to me, personally.)
So when Isaac's a bit older and God suddenly demands Abraham sacrifices him, Abraham is. Understandably. Distraught. But nevermind they end up sacrificing a goat anyways THE MORAL IS Isaac is meant to be a foreshadowing for Jesus. The perfect, sinless lamb who must die to appease the sin of the world.
So our boy Isaac. If I remember correctly, he dies being speared by a construct's teeth.
Guess what Jesus figure gets speared in gtn.
Also Tettares, I believe, Tettar- is a bit like Tetra-, which means four.
Jeannemary Chatur! 'Jeanne-' is likely a reference to Jeanne d'Arc, better known as Joan of Arc. The parallels of a girl soldier jumping at the chance to fight and dying far too young are easy to draw.
Chatur means 'a set of four' in Sanskrit.
Ulysses is named after John's grandmother's dog. Who is named after Ulysses S. Grant. Who is a U.S. President known for leading the Union side to victory in the American Civil War. Which is particularly funny to me, considering Tamsyn is kiwi and (as far as I know) makes no other reference to American figures.
I also want to add, however, 'Ulysses' is the latin name for 'Odysseus', the main character of Homer's Odyssey and a central figure in Homer's Illiad. Odysseus has WAY too much going on so I'm not even going to try to see how the characters could link.
His cavalier, Titania Tetra.
'Titania' is the fairy queen from William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. Notably, she argues with her husband, and is magicked to fall in love with a guy with a donkey head. Long play short, she breaks from the spell and her and her husband make up. I have no idea what any of this has to do with Titania Tetra, but do with that what you will. I can't help but think how John 'magicked' her corpse into being well. Alive. But who knows.
'Tetra' means four!
Third house!
Naberius Tern. Tern is a water bird, as far as I know. 'Naberius', however, is apparently a demon and marquess of hell who appears in the Ars Goetia, talented in the art of persuasion, and often linked to the greek Cerberus. (As both are three-headed demons).
I. Have no clue what this could mean. Besides the fact that Babs is kind of a dick.
I will be honest. I am skipping Ianthe for this one. I will probably make her her own part! But Ianthe’s name appears in numerous works I have not read yet, and so I won’t understand in any sort which hers is a reference to, and why. But once I do I may make another part. (Or if someone knows what her name references! Let me know!)
Coronabeth my love! 'Corona' is Latin for crown, (Which links to her being the Crown Princess of Ida, as well as her Blood of Eden name.) 'Corona' also links to the sun's outer atmosphere, which I think suits her as well!
Also, like Harrow, Coronabeth inherited the last half of her name from her mother. Coronabeth, Violabeth. Harrowhark, Priamhark. I think Harrow and Corona echo each other in more ways than one and I'd love to write another essay on that.
Maybe in like. Six months.
Actually no I promise I'll write it when Alecto's release date is announced.
Tridentarius, Tri- means three. I also, like many other people believe the Third house is located on Neptune, so 'Trident', can also be a fun pun there. A 'trident' being the main weapon of the Roman ocean god Neptune.
ALSO IMPORTANT— Coronabeth and Ianthe were originally named 'Cainabeth' and 'Abella'. Which. Cain and Abel were the first siblings in the bible. Very infamously— Cain and Abel both offer sacrifices to God, and God blesses Abel, but not Cain, and in a rage, Cain kills Abel. Resulting in the first murder. And God curses Cain's bloodline. Sooo if their original names still impact things now, I have some ideas for how the Tridentarii are going to fare in atn.
Cyrus the First is likely a reference to Cyrus the Great. Who founded the Persian Empire and, Biblically, freed the Jews from Babylonian captivity. I do not know if we learn much about Cyrus the First (Except that his and Valancy's naked portraits are hanging on Ianthe's walls) so I'm unsure how it pertains.
Valancy Trinit, his cavalier. The name 'Valancy' probably comes from the Latin 'valens', means strong and powerful. Again, not much known about her besides the nude art thing and the fact that she and Cyrus are second-gen Lyctors. So who knows how this pertains.
And Trinit- as in trinity, as in three.
Second House!
Marta Dyas I'm a bit intrigued by, as 'Marta' is the biblical sister of Mary Magdalene. (Also spelled 'Martha', but I grew up with 'Marta' so I'm going to spell it that way.) Marta and her siblings are close friends and followers of Jesus, and Marta is seen as agressive and out-spoken in comparison to her sister Mary. When Jesus comes to visit, Marta complains of her sister not helping with the housework, which they were doing specifically to welcome Jesus into their home, (instead listening to Jesus's stories and lessons) and Jesus chides Marta, basically saying to stop worrying about earthly things and focus on the heavenly. (As Mary does, but he doesn't say that.) She also is somewhat upset at Jesus when her brother dies, saying 'If you had been here, he wouldn't have died, but I know you can still have whatever you wish from God', basically asking to bring him back. Which Jesus does do.
I haven't read As Yet Unsent in a hot second, where Marta is shown a bit more, so maybe this isn't a meaningless link? But I'm unaware of what else Marta could be a reference to.
Dyas is a group of two!
Judith Deuteros is almost certainly named after the biblical Judith. (And her last name stems from the book of Judith being deuterocanonical, part of the secondary canon, as well as having the 'deu-' mean 'two'. ) Judith charms an Assyrian general and kills him by cutting his head off. Basically saving Jerusalem in the process. Let’s just say I’m excited to see who Judith beheads.
Gideon Zero is already done, so let's skip right to the love of my life
Pyrrha Dve! Like Palamedes, there are two Pyrrhas I know of. Both are within greek mythos, one being the daughter of Pandora, and a part of a noah-like flood myth who goes on to repopulate the Earth with her husband by throwing stones. More likely, it refers to the name Achilles took on while disguised as a woman. Which would make Pyrrha an Achilles figure. Which. I could go far into, but I’m so tired of writing this I won’t.
I am also ashamed to say as a speaker of Russian it took me literally forever to figure out that Pyrrha's last name, Dve, is meant to be the Russian two, (две) in the feminine HOW DID I NOT NOTICE.
HONORABLE MENTIONS —
Paul. Paul almost 100% references the biblical Apostle Paul. However, since Paul is such a new character to the canon, it’s less about what their name pertains to now and more about what could happen to their character in atn.
Apostle Paul goes through a ton of shit, but I’ll list son of my favorites that could possibly pertain to/be adapted for our Paul in atn.
- Tons of missionary trips and letters explaining why the churches are behaving wrong (possibly pertaining to necromancy?)
- That one time where paul and silas were arrested but still stay in jail despite their chains being broken by an earthquake. (Causing their guard to convert bc they didnt run while he was asleep. As if they did that he wouldve been killed for being asleep.) (i have no idea what this could pertain to i just think it’d be cool)
- paul makes tents (no real reason, i just think it would be fun if paul made tents)
- gets shipwrecked and is bit by a poisonous snake but doesnt die (again. No real reason. Could be cool)
- head gets cut off?? (I think someone’s getting beheaded in atn and if it’s not John Paul is a likely contender.)
Continuing on—
The Blood of Eden Cast!
So according to Muir, traditional BoE names follow a three-part naming system. (Though we only see the full three parts in Wake's name, and supposedly a single part in the others.)
"Awake Remembrance of These Valiant Dead" is a reference to the play Henry V by William Shakespeare. The first part of a BoE name seems to have a literary and/or religious aspect to it.
The second part of Wake's name is "Kia Hua Ko Te Pai", which is "Let goodness flourish" and is a line in New Zealand's national anthem. The second part of a BoE name seems to have more to do with culture.
The third part, which the fandom loves to poke fun at, is "Snap Back to Reality Oops There Goes Gravity," from Eminem's song "Lose Yourself". However, an important part of BoE naming culture I want to touch on is described in this post that I was sent by a friend (shoutout to the lovely @bonewennch who is the world's biggest Wake fan) when writing this essay.
Tl;Dr, BoE does not know what parts of Earth history are 'important'. John, who was there, names his friends and followers after 'important', 'historical' figures, figures that have some level of intelligence tied to them. Things that are considered “high” culture. But he was there. BoE was not; only their ansecestors were. So they're attempting to conserve AS MUCH OF EARTH'S HISTORY as possible. And to them? Why is a rap song less important than a mythological figure? It's a part of their lost history all the same, and they are doing all they can to perserve it.
"Our lady of the Passion", Pash, seems to be a reference to the Virgin Mary— 'our lady of' is how majority of her titles begin, and 'Virgin of the Passion' is a famous painting by Emmanuel Tzanfournaris depicting the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus. This seems to be the first part of Pash's name, referencing a religious or artistic figure.
AIM has more or less been confirmed to mean 'AOL Instant Messenger'. So we can more or less say that 'AIM' is the last third of her name. The third part of a BoE name seems more or less to reference 'pop culture' in some way or form.
Crown him With Many Crowns, Coronabeth's BoE name, seems to be the first part of her name, as it references a 1851 hymn of the same name—'Crown him with many crowns, The Lamb upon his throne,'
We Suffer and We Suffer seems to be a literary reference. The tlt wiki references it as coming from Robert Fagles' translation of Aeschylus' Agamemnon: "CHORUS: But Justice turns the balance scales, sees that we suffer and we suffer and we learn." It is likely the first part of her name.
And shoutout to Nona's gang bc I am not even attempting to tackle that.
And finally:
Alecto is an interesting case. If I remember correctly, John didn't name her Alecto personally. He named her A.L. Annabel Lee. Almost certainly a reference to the Edgar Allan Poe Poem of the same name. The poem 'Annabel Lee' tells a tale of a girl that the narrator is in love with. Long poem short (It's not that long actually), Annabel Lee and the narrator are in love, Annabel Lee is killed by angels who are jealous of her and their love, the narrator is sad and mourns her. But what's more interesting is the specific stanzas that one could reference directly. (One of the few of these books I have a copy of!) I've pulled a few of my favorites.
'And this maiden she lived with no other thought/Than to love and be loved by me.'
'To shut her up in a sepulchre/In this kingdom by the sea.'
'And neither the angels in Heaven above/Nor the demons down under the sea/Can ever dissever my soul from the soul/Of the beautiful Annabel Lee'
'In her sepulchre there by the sea/In her tomb by the sounding sea.'
The references to the tomb are fairly obvious. (A 'sepulchre' is a room of stone in which a person is buried. So.)
So did John always know, that he would imprison her? Or when he realized he was afraid of her, did he think back to the poem and think, 'a tomb by the sea. that's a good idea.' Did he always know she was meant to end up like this?? What's your thought process John.
The other two stanzas obviously reference the relationship between Alecto and John, ('I still love you', 'you said that too',) and 'can never dissever my soul from the soul', obviously referencing Alecto's creation and the concept of lyctorhood in of itself.
But Alecto? Alecto is the name of a fury in greek mythos. Servants of hades. (Both as in the god, and as in hell itself.) Goddesses of Wrath, harbingers of vengeance. The ones who punish those who have done wrong. This 100% lines up with the Alecto we think of. A harbringer of vengeance. The thing with the furies is that they're not always considered 'evil', but rather bringers of justice. Bringing it in a bit of a horrifying way, however. SO Alecto to me.
I cannot remember if it was ever explained who named Alecto or why they named her that. If anyone remembers please tell me.
Now, John.
John fucking Gaius.
'John' is a lot more convoluted, so let's start with Gaius. Gaius obvious stems from 'Gaia', the greek primordial being of the earth. John adopted this name post-ressurection. A post on here mentions that John's name reflects the traditional naming of a lyctor. 'Ianthe Naberius'. "John Gaius". Alecto, the Earth, his cavalier. He's taken on both the name of the earth, his destruction, and his cavalier. It makes me feel a bit insane.
(I wonder how this will reflect in Kiriona Gaia. Bc yes, we could go with the obvious 'she's just taking on his name as most children do' but names are so important to tlt i can't imagine that's the only reason. 'Gaia', the Earth, means something for Kiriona.)
'John' is harder, because there's a fuck ton of Johns. There are a lot. Of biblical Johns. But here are the most relevent.
John the Baptist is a sort of 'forerunner' for Jesus, his literal cousin. He declares Baptism as a symbol of repentance, and that he baptizes not with water, but with the holy spirit. He baptizes Jesus. He's a wild man. Living in the wilderness. Eating bugs. He later criticizes a king for marrying his brother's ex-wife and gets beheaded (at the request of the kings stepdaughter, whose mom made her ask for it) and allegedly served on a platter. So do with that what you will.
John the Apostle was the youngest disciple of Jesus. He likely wrote the book of John, which are the verses we see referenced in John's chapters in ntn. He's also considered the cousin of Jesus in many traditions, and 'the disciple whom Jesus loved'. He spends majority of the new testament following Jesus around like some cool older cousin. When Jesus is dying on the cross, he commands John take in his mother as his own, which John does. Later, John goes on to help found the beginnings of the Christian church. Some accounts say he was plunged into boiling water for his faith (?) but escaped? And later died of old age.
John of Patmos is a likely contender, I feel. He is (allegedly) the author of the book of Revelation. Which. I'll be honest, I've never finished bc it scared the hell out of me as a kid. But know vaguely a few things of Revelation, I could totally see it pertaining to John. So. If you have any answers to that let me know.
In conclusion, I have no idea which ‘John’ John Gaius is a reference to.
And If John does die in atn, I hope he's either getting beheaded or boiled alive.
Reminder that majority of this is unconfirmed and just speculation! Also I didn't do much research doing this it was mostly from memory! (Which. Is why I say ‘I don’t know’ so much I made this for fun I don’t know all that much!)
So forgive me if I am very, very wrong! (And correct me!) And thank you if you actually read this far!
So this is a somewhat-detailed essay on the references made in character names of the locked tomb series. And by somewhat detailed I mean not extremely detailed, but including majority of the major characters of the series. The original first half of this essay was posted here. I've edited it slightly and added the rest of the characters to make this full cumulative list. I've spent way too long on this lmao I hope it's somewhat thought-provoking.
As always—
HEAVY SPOILERS for the entire locked tomb series (as in. So heavy pls don’t read if you have not finished all three books)
and
If I misremembered anything from tlt or other plays/books/histories OR made a mistake in translation please let me know!
So I'm both a linguistic and literary student, so the naming of characters in tlt have always been interesting to me. But then I sat down and made a list, and realized they (alongside most aspects of the series) are insanely complicated.
First things first, we have to remember John renames all his original followers, his saints, after the first resurrection. He is the only one that understands the references that their names make, so their names are a bit of an inside joke with himself. So while the majority of character names in tlt have more to do with what Tamsyn wants us to think of a character, we have to keep John in mind for a handful of them.
I wanted to start with our girl Gideon, but as Gideon is really Gideon II, I just had to start with Gideon Prime.
'G1deon', I'm fairly certain, comes from the biblical judge of the same name. Gideon is a Jew under Midianite rule, a son of one of the least families in the house of Manasseh. God calls him to liberate the Jews from Midianite oppression. Gideon is a bit of a doubter, so he asks God to send a few signs to prove He's God, and God does so. Then Gideon goes into badass warrior mode and slays a bunch of people. He's known as a warrior, or a soldier, but that's only due to God. He's not a warrior naturally, or on his own accord. He is God's sword, in the sense that it is not his movements but God's that make the impact. He is just the tool God is working through.
I'd think John named Gideon Original Flavor based on the 'faithful warrior of God' aspect, either unknowing or ignoring the 'not a natural warrior, only because of God, tool of God' aspect. (Which. I do believe applies as well. Whether willing or unwilling, Gideon Classic has been John's tool (and his sword) since long before the resurrection.
Our Gideon, of course, is named after the original G1deon in the belief that her mother was shouting her name, and not the name of the man that betrayed her. She is also importantly, not named by John, so a lot of those previous connotations don't carry over. Through the eyes of the audience, though, she carries some aspects of the biblical Gideon as well. Maybe Harrow is her 'god', the one she's supposed to serve, but she's doubtful and even angry and dismissive. Then she accepts the role, due to Harrow 'proving' herself within her role (I believe the pool scene, of many, is proof of Harrow being a 'holy' figure to Gideon; one worth dying for). I also think Gideon, as Kiriona, becomes a sort of replacement Gideon Zero for John in ntn. The 'warrior' that 'God' uses to push His will, His wrath. She becomes his sword.
Ofc Gideon has many more Jesus parallels than Judge Gideon that I can think of, but everyone had Jesus parallels in this series.
Kiriona, as we know, is the Maori translation/pronunciation of 'Gideon'. (It is also specifically the translated name given to the biblical judge Gideon!) It makes sense that John would want to rename his daughter, likely wanting no reminder of the original G1deon. Kiriona is an interesting choice, however. I think part of it is John wanting, somewhat, to be an actual father. Wanting to share some of his long-dead culture with his daughter. Her culture. He names all his saints and friends after mythological, biblical, literary and catholic figures. But he names his daughter a version of her name from his culture. Like he's trying to pass it down. It's somewhat a sweet gesture.
However, I also want to mention John stripping away her given name. I mentioned this in another post, but at the end of gtn, Gideon accepts herself as a 'niner'. Nav is a ninth name, she says. 'For the ninth', she says as she dies. And when she's brought back, all aspects of the ninth are stripped from her name. (This happens with Harrow and Ianthe as well, each becoming the 'first'; their house names being replaced by their cavaliers. Harrow the first, instead of Harrow the ninth. Ianthe Naberius, not Ianthe Triidentarius. Their house identity is stripped from them. As sweet as the renaming of 'Kiriona' can seem, there's also a violating aspect of it.)
And, on the topic of Gideon 'Nav'. I couldn't find anything particular (like the biblical Gideon) to draw the surname back to. However! I am Slavic so I know that Nav (навь in Russian) is a name for the underworld, and stems from the Proto-Slavic word for 'death' or 'corpse'. This all obviously links back to 'Nav' as a niner name, a name meaning death and linked to necromancy in every sense. (I think it's also interesting considering how Gideon, becomes Kiriona, and how that pertains to 'corpse'. It may've been foreshadowing.)
Harrow is interesting as a name, as there's not any particular literary reference I can think of. The only one is a biblical/theological idea of the 'harrowing of hell', which could pertain to her role with the river. 'Harrow' means to distress over something, or 'a cause of darkness or gloom'. (It's also a tool used to till soil, which, I think could also pertain to her. Tilling the soil? Growing? Earth? Making the Earth ready for the coming of spring? Of crops? Alecto? Idk maybe I'm reaching.)
'Hark', the second part of her name, means 'to sing of', or to 'bring out'. 'To announce'. As in the carol, 'Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn king'. It's an announcement, a song. It's not necessarily good or bad news— just a loud, important announcement. Put those two names together, 'Harrowhark'. Announcing, singing of coming darkness. Hark, the coming distress. 'I am a harbringer of the coming hell'. The most emo-ass name of all time, but also so unbelievably Harrow, as she is the announcer, for Alecto, for the end of their current universe structure and everything John has done, and for the hell of the river.
'Nona', both as Nona herself and the first half of Harrow's surname, means nine. This is fairly easy to remember; makes sense in Harrow's name, and is an aspect of Harrow that Nona carries alongside her body. I'm a bit blank to how 'Nona' as a name pertains to her character, (besides 'No-no' coming into play), specifically how 'nine' pertains to Nona, besides sharing Harrow's body. If anyone has any ideas, I'd love to know.
I had to look this up, so I may be wrong, but the '-gessimus' of Harrow's surname seems to mean 'we have carried', or, 'we have borned', in Latin. Put this together with the 'nona-', and we have 'we have carried the nine'. Or more specific to Harrow, 'carried the ninth'. I've also seen that 'nonagessimus' as a whole literally translates to 'ninetieth', which would make sense as well. If it has been ten thousand years since the resurrection, if every niner lives to as old and decrepit as Gideon describes, Harrow very well may be the ninetieth daughter of her house.
Going to quickly go through the rest of the ninth house. 'Crux', of course, is another name for a cross, making sense of the ninth's catholic-like religious devotion. It can also mean the most important, or the most difficult point of a subject, which I find particularly funny. 'Aiglamene' I couldn't find anything in particular for, but I've heard that some people think it refers to the French word 'aigla', which means 'eagle'. 'Ortus' seems to be the Latin word for 'beginning' or 'sunrise'. There's also this post and its comments that goes into how Ortus seems to be an anagram for Gideon, and I find it really interesting.
Harrow's parents' names, Pelleamena and Priamhark, both stem from the Illiad. 'Pelleamena' from 'Peleus', the father of Achilles. 'Priam' is the old king of Troy, and the father of Hector, Paris, and Cassandra. Personally, I believe he's meant to be 'Priam' as in Cassandra's father, making Harrow a Cassandra figure. Cassandra, a prophetess famously known for being cursed so that no one would believe her prophecies. Sound familiar? A 'crazy' girl with visions no one believes? (Also Harrow is named for her father, carrying down the last half of his name, which is interesting to me.)
I'm more curious about 'Pelleamena', as that would make Harrow an Achilles figure. I haven't read the Illiad in years, so forgive me if I can't remember any obvious connections. The only connection I can vaguely make is 'the river' in htn being linked to the river styx. A river in greek mythos dividing the land of the living and the dead. Sound familiar? It also tends to kill those who wander into it, or make people go insane. Also familiar. Achilles famously gets dipped in the river styx as a baby to become invulnerable. (Though I'm like 90% certain that's a myth within a myth, and in greek canon it was rumor spread to justify how much of a beast he was in battle). Maybe a connection could be both of them losing a 'lover' in sacrifice (patroculus donning achilles's armor to lead the battle, resulting in his death; gideon sacrificing herself so harrow could ascend to lyctorhood) but even then I'm not sure?? Achilles tracks down Hector (who killed patroculus) and drags his dead body around the city. Harrow lobotomizes herself. Hurting themself, or another, to avenge or forget.
If anyone can draw any more connections please let me know.
Anastasia the first— 'Anastasia' is a name of both Greek and Russian Origin that means 'resurrection'. This seems to pertain to the resurrection of Alecto. (Anastasia was obviously very committed to Alecto, dying near her and keeping her tomb safe as a sort of guardian figure). It can also pertain to how religious to the ninth is, 'resurrection' being a very religious term. It's likely John didn't name her himself, as she was part of the second generation of followers. (And never ascended to Lyctorhood) Therefore, her name seems more in line with the naming traditions or trends of the time.
Samael Novenary, her cavalier. At first I thought it was an interesting spelling of the name 'Samuel', but no, I'm just religiously incompetent. 'Samael' is an archangel in Jewish folklore, who is very much a Satan-like figure! He is the head angel of death! The seducer! However, he is not just linked to being evil. He is still regarded as part of the heavenly host, and many of his actions result in good. His morality isn't strictly black or white, it seems. Whether he's evil or not seems to be based on what kind of period of the religion you ask. John didn't name him either, but it is still interestingly linked, as John ends up ordering for Samael's death, echoing the God-Satan Christianity parallels.
Nove- is Italian and Portuguese for nine. 'Nary' can often mean 'nay', or 'not'. 'but nary a poem to stock up my head'. I'm also reminded of 'Canary', which to me links to Harrow being the 'singer' , the songbird of the ninth, or of death. Making Harrow the Canary in the Coalmine. (I love to reach a bit far ignore me if I do so.)
Eighth house! Column Asht. At first, I have no idea what 'Column' could mean, besides a large, sturdy pillar. But I checked the tlt wiki, and apparently Column comes from the latin 'columba', 'dove'. Column and each of his brothers is named after sacrificial animals. (His brother 'Ram' is obvious, and then there's 'Capris', which comes from 'Capra-', 'goat'.) This theme is apt, for the role he plays in gtn.
'Asht', means eight in Sanskrit.
'Silas Octakiseron' is a bit more chewable. 'Octa-' is eight, obviously, and the closest I can find to '-kiseron' is 'kiseru', the name of a Japanese smoking pipe. Do what that what you will, perhaps it has no connection. 'Silas' is a bit more interesting. Silas, or Saint Silas, is a follower of the Apostle Paul in the biblical New Testament and one of the early leaders of the Christian church. (Don't worry, Paul gets their own section). He is known as a great man of faith, accompanies Paul in a few adventures, and is honestly unmemorable besides that. The most interesting thing about him is his name, as scholars always argue about what his name actually is. (I've seen 'Silas', 'Silvanus', or 'Seila', depending on if you're using Latin, Greek, Aramaic, Hebrew, and so on.)
I'm also reminded of the novel 'Silas Marner', which I have not read since middle school so I don't remember almost any of it. Silas Marner is famously framed for a crime he did not commit. He also adopts a girl (?). That is literally all I remember.
Mercymorn! I love Mercy so much she's so awful and complicated. As far as I remember she's never given a surname and is only referred to as 'the first' or as 'the saint of joy'. 'Mercymorn', of course, is not an actual name, and I couldn't find anything that pertained to it originally as a full name.
'Mercy', of course, is the act of not giving someone punishment that they deserve. 'Morn', can come from 'morning', the dawn of a day, but I also think of 'mourn', as in mourning. My first thought is when Mercymorn stabbed Harrow in htn. Not everyone sees it that way, but to me, it's always been a 'mercy kill'. So that Harrow, this lyctor that Mercymorn sees as a child (who is a child), doesn't have to deal with this post-John, post-Dominicus-collapsing bullshit.
I do wonder why John named Mercymorn this, as nothing immediately comes to mind. The dawn of mercy, makes sense, but I kind of prefer '-morn' as 'mourn'. If it's anything, Mercymorn is driven by her mourning for her fellow former lyctors, and especially Cristabell.
Cristabell! I miss her daily. Crista- seems to come from the 'Christ', and seems to be the exact kind of pun John would make. ('Christ'. For a nun. How funny, John.) He could've easily gone with 'Christine' or 'Christina', but he chose to make up a new name. I feel like that's a big part of John. He can't fully forget the past (remembering Cristabell as a nun, giving her a name pertaining to her faith), while also trying to forget everything that ever was and to make something new. Her name says more about John than it does her.
Also, Oct-, means eight. We're starting to see a pattern here.
Seventh house! Dulcinea is the name of the love interest of Don Quixote in, Don Quixote. It comes from the Spanish word 'dulce-', sweet. Here's the thing, though. Dulcinea does not exist. Don Quixote, in his head about being a knight, invents this sort of persona, the perfect princess/damsel/lady, and projects it onto a common girl. Who else does not actually exist in Gtn, and is actually someone else that our mc sees as a perfect love interest? DULCINEA. TAMSYN YOUR MIND IS INSANE. (It also pertains to how Palamedes's relationship with her went, somewhat).
Septimus, 'Sept-', of course, is seven.
Protesilaus is the name of a greek hero in the Illiad. There was a prophecy that the first warrior to step off his ship in the Trojan war would be the first to die. Protesilaus, of cours, does so, and is the first who dies. Who is the first to die in Gtn?
I'm so insufferable about this series my god. (Also his surname, Ebdoma, I think comes from the greek 'hebdomas', which, you guessed it, means seven)
Cytherea is an alternate name or variation (depending on who you ask) for the greek goddess Aphrodite! The goddess of love, beauty, sex— but also of victory and war, the more one goes back. (I think 'Cytherea' tends to refer more to Aphrodite's war goddess aspect) Again, part of the second gen of lyctors, so not personally named by John. Still, I think at first, we're supposed to think of her in the 'love and beauty' sense. What we see in the finale of gtn (what she becomes, and why), however, is definitely more the 'victory and war' aspect of her name. Though of course, those aspects, still stem from love.
Loveday, her cavalier, is interesting to me. 'Loveday' was briefly used in the Middle Ages as both a formal name and a nickname, referencing a 'Love Day', which was a day when quarreling or warring groups would get together to amicably sort out their differences, often with settlements and treaties. This makes me think of Loveday as a peacekeeper, someone who isn't fond of conflict. I also immensely love when people make the Seventh house medieval-influenced so this was a joy to discover.
Her surname, Heptane— hept, as in 'heptagon', means— (SEVEN, everyone shouts).
Sixth house! 'Palamedes' was a warrior that fought in the Trojan war, and is honestly a bit of a bastard. He's known for being very smart; being associated with dice and numbers. He had a rivalry with Odysseus, bc basically, when Odysseus pretended to be crazy to avoid going to war, Palamedes saw through it and made him go anyways. (He stuck Odysseus's baby son in front of a plow?? To trick him into saving him and proving he wasn't crazy? And you expect me to like him??). There's multiple accounts of his death, but most are pertained to Odysseus, who never really got over it.
Palamedes's name coming from someone known for his smarts makes sense. I do however wonder who his 'Odysseus' figure is meant to be. I could link it to Cytherea/Dulcinea, but I also wonder if it could be Ianthe, and their conflict continues in atn. (Especially after The unwanted guest', and how Pal stole Babs's body.)
'Palamedes' is also the name of a Knight of the Round Table in Arthurian Folklore! More notably he is a knight from the Middle East (Muir has more or less confirmed she imagines Cam and Pal as Middle Eastern). He, notably, fights for the hand of a maiden and loses (Dulcinea anyone?), and is the main hunter of the 'questing beast', a beast only chosen can slay. Which I feel could pertain more to Paul. Either way, I think both Palamedeses can pertain to our Sex Pal.
Sextus— 'sex', of course, means 'six'.
'Camilla', I believe, is a reference to Camilla, who is a warrior in Virgil's Aeniad. She's known for being a virgin warrior, and a huntress of Diana. She is often compared to Amazonian queens. She's killed by a spear to the breast, but avenged by a servant of Diana. I can definitely understand some connections, but I wonder most about the death aspect, and how that can possibly pertain to her. (I'd say we'd find out in Alecto, but I'm fairly certain the birth of Paul was both Camilla and Pal's deaths, so I'm uncertain about how this could relate.)
I know there's also a saint named Camilla Tamsyn could be referencing, but I don't know much about the saints, so I'll leave that for someone else to chew on.
Of course, 'Hect-', pertaining to 'hex'agon, six-sided—but 'hect' can also mean 'one hundred', as in 'hectogram' (One hundred grams).
Cassiopeia the first is almost certainly named after queen Cassiopeia, the mother of Andromeda in greek mythos. John must've somewhat disliked her or have been poking fun at her, as Queen Cassiopeia is infamously vain and prideful. In the mythos, she boasts that she is more beautiful than Poseidon's daughters. As gods do, he sends a sea monster to harass her kingdom, and so she sacrifices her daughter to it so it'll leave her alone. When her daughter, Andromeda, is rescued by Perseus, he (Perseus) thought she (Cassiopeia) should be punished, and 'chained her to a throne in the heavens', referencing the constellation. That. Is certainly a name one could give someone, is all I'm saying. For being her best man, you gave her a shitty name, John.
Her cavalier, Nigella. I have absolutely no idea what Nigella is a reference to, I'm sorry. (If someone does please let me knowww)
Shodash, Nigella's last name, means 'sixteen' in Hindi!
Abigail Pent! Abigail I believe refers to the biblical second wife of King David, BUT I also wanted to mention there's a Saint Abigail who is the patron of beekeepers and bees and I. Think that is wonderful. (My lack of knowledge of saints only pertains when bees are not included).
So biblical Abigail is married to this man, Nabal, who is famously an asshole. Nabal makes some sort of deal with David (? this part's fuzzy), and then refuses to stick to his part, or show gratitude or smthn. David, angry, goes to kill the mofo, but Abigail runs into them beforehand and begs for her husband's life and gives them a bunch of food and such if only they don't kill her husband. They're impressed by her loyalty and wisdom. Some scholars consider her a prophetess, some just think of her as an intelligent woman. Either way, God randomly strikes her husband down, and she's remarried to King David afterward.
'Abigail' is likely a reference to our Abigail's intelligence. Biblical Abigail is known as one of the wisest women in biblical text. However, I'm curious how this pertains otherwise. (And. I would really love to know how she and Magnus were married.)
'Pent-' likely refers to a 'pentagon'; 'five-sided', but I also think of pent as in 'confined', maybe referencing how they’re stuck in htn.
Magnus Quinn! I miss Magnus. So I'm not entirely sure but his name could reference Saint Magnus, or 'Magnus Erlendsson', from a trio of Nordic sagas. Again. Don't know much about saints. But apparently Saint Magnus was known for his 'piety' and 'gentleness', which I figure is as good of a reference as any. 'Magnus' was also a title in the Roman Empire, usually pertaining to Emperors, and means 'great' or 'strongly'.
Quinn means fifth. Obviously.
Augustine the first! The one saint we know the last name of- Quinque. (Which I'll save you the deal. Yes. 'Quin-' is five.)
Augustine is likely a reference to Saint Augustine, who even I know of. Saint Augustine was a philosopher and patron saint of theologians and doctors! (Which is very Augustine). What's more memorable to me specifically is his actions before his death— the Vandals, a germanic tribe, invaded the city, and supposedly Augustine excommunicated himself in an 'act of solidarity' with the sinners of his city. Which. Sounds very familiar to how our Augustine acted before his death. (However, Saint Augustine died of sickness if I remember correctly, not being plunged into a hell-mouth while wrestling God. I think.) (Also is anyone reminded of that bible story where Israel wrestles the holy ghost?? Could there be a parallel there somewhere??)
Augustine's cavalier and younger brother, Alfred Quinque, is likely named after Alfred the great, who was an Anglo-saxon king in the seventh century. Alfred the great was known for being a very intelligent and compassionate king who made a lot of changes within the nation for good. (I cannot remember specifcially, but I'm so certain Alfred and Cristabell collaborated to make some massive change towards Lyctorhood? Based on their compassion and understanding of the world? That's the main link I can think of.)
Fourth house!
Isaac Tettares, my actual son. 'Isaac' is almost certainly a reference to Isaac, the biblical son of Abraham. Abraham prays to God for a son for years, and he and his wife Sarah are far into retirement years before God grants the prayer, giving them Isaac. ('Isaac' supposedly means 'laughter', or 'causing laughter', as when Sarah heard the news, she laughed, thinking it was impossible. Which. Means a lot to me, personally.)
So when Isaac's a bit older and God suddenly demands Abraham sacrifices him, Abraham is. Understandably. Distraught. But nevermind they end up sacrificing a goat anyways THE MORAL IS Isaac is meant to be a foreshadowing for Jesus. The perfect, sinless lamb who must die to appease the sin of the world.
So our boy Isaac. If I remember correctly, he dies being speared by a construct's teeth.
Guess what Jesus figure gets speared in gtn.
Also Tettares, I believe, Tettar- is a bit like Tetra-, which means four.
Jeannemary Chatur! 'Jeanne-' is likely a reference to Jeanne d'Arc, better known as Joan of Arc. The parallels of a girl soldier jumping at the chance to fight and dying far too young are easy to draw.
Chatur means 'a set of four' in Sanskrit.
Ulysses is named after John's grandmother's dog. Who is named after Ulysses S. Grant. Who is a U.S. President known for leading the Union side to victory in the American Civil War. Which is particularly funny to me, considering Tamsyn is kiwi and (as far as I know) makes no other reference to American figures.
I also want to add, however, 'Ulysses' is the latin name for 'Odysseus', the main character of Homer's Odyssey and a central figure in Homer's Illiad. Odysseus has WAY too much going on so I'm not even going to try to see how the characters could link.
His cavalier, Titania Tetra.
'Titania' is the fairy queen from William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. Notably, she argues with her husband, and is magicked to fall in love with a guy with a donkey head. Long play short, she breaks from the spell and her and her husband make up. I have no idea what any of this has to do with Titania Tetra, but do with that what you will. I can't help but think how John 'magicked' her corpse into being well. Alive. But who knows.
'Tetra' means four!
Third house!
Naberius Tern. Tern is a water bird, as far as I know. 'Naberius', however, is apparently a demon and marquess of hell who appears in the Ars Goetia, talented in the art of persuasion, and often linked to the greek Cerberus. (As both are three-headed demons).
I. Have no clue what this could mean. Besides the fact that Babs is kind of a dick.
I will be honest. I am skipping Ianthe for this one. I will probably make her her own part! But Ianthe’s name appears in numerous works I have not read yet, and so I won’t understand in any sort which hers is a reference to, and why. But once I do I may make another part. (Or if someone knows what her name references! Let me know!)
Coronabeth my love! 'Corona' is Latin for crown, (Which links to her being the Crown Princess of Ida, as well as her Blood of Eden name.) 'Corona' also links to the sun's outer atmosphere, which I think suits her as well!
Also, like Harrow, Coronabeth inherited the last half of her name from her mother. Coronabeth, Violabeth. Harrowhark, Priamhark. I think Harrow and Corona echo each other in more ways than one and I'd love to write another essay on that.
Maybe in like. Six months.
Actually no I promise I'll write it when Alecto's release date is announced.
Tridentarius, Tri- means three. I also, like many other people believe the Third house is located on Neptune, so 'Trident', can also be a fun pun there. A 'trident' being the main weapon of the Roman ocean god Neptune.
ALSO IMPORTANT— Coronabeth and Ianthe were originally named 'Cainabeth' and 'Abella'. Which. Cain and Abel were the first siblings in the bible. Very infamously— Cain and Abel both offer sacrifices to God, and God blesses Abel, but not Cain, and in a rage, Cain kills Abel. Resulting in the first murder. And God curses Cain's bloodline. Sooo if their original names still impact things now, I have some ideas for how the Tridentarii are going to fare in atn.
Cyrus the First is likely a reference to Cyrus the Great. Who founded the Persian Empire and, Biblically, freed the Jews from Babylonian captivity. I do not know if we learn much about Cyrus the First (Except that his and Valancy's naked portraits are hanging on Ianthe's walls) so I'm unsure how it pertains.
Valancy Trinit, his cavalier. The name 'Valancy' probably comes from the Latin 'valens', means strong and powerful. Again, not much known about her besides the nude art thing and the fact that she and Cyrus are second-gen Lyctors. So who knows how this pertains.
And Trinit- as in trinity, as in three.
Second House!
Marta Dyas I'm a bit intrigued by, as 'Marta' is the biblical sister of Mary Magdalene. (Also spelled 'Martha', but I grew up with 'Marta' so I'm going to spell it that way.) Marta and her siblings are close friends and followers of Jesus, and Marta is seen as agressive and out-spoken in comparison to her sister Mary. When Jesus comes to visit, Marta complains of her sister not helping with the housework, which they were doing specifically to welcome Jesus into their home, (instead listening to Jesus's stories and lessons) and Jesus chides Marta, basically saying to stop worrying about earthly things and focus on the heavenly. (As Mary does, but he doesn't say that.) She also is somewhat upset at Jesus when her brother dies, saying 'If you had been here, he wouldn't have died, but I know you can still have whatever you wish from God', basically asking to bring him back. Which Jesus does do.
I haven't read As Yet Unsent in a hot second, where Marta is shown a bit more, so maybe this isn't a meaningless link? But I'm unaware of what else Marta could be a reference to.
Dyas is a group of two!
Judith Deuteros is almost certainly named after the biblical Judith. (And her last name stems from the book of Judith being deuterocanonical, part of the secondary canon, as well as having the 'deu-' mean 'two'. ) Judith charms an Assyrian general and kills him by cutting his head off. Basically saving Jerusalem in the process. Let’s just say I’m excited to see who Judith beheads.
Gideon Zero is already done, so let's skip right to the love of my life
Pyrrha Dve! Like Palamedes, there are two Pyrrhas I know of. Both are within greek mythos, one being the daughter of Pandora, and a part of a noah-like flood myth who goes on to repopulate the Earth with her husband by throwing stones. More likely, it refers to the name Achilles took on while disguised as a woman. Which would make Pyrrha an Achilles figure. Which. I could go far into, but I’m so tired of writing this I won’t.
I am also ashamed to say as a speaker of Russian it took me literally forever to figure out that Pyrrha's last name, Dve, is meant to be the Russian two, (две) in the feminine HOW DID I NOT NOTICE.
HONORABLE MENTIONS —
Paul. Paul almost 100% references the biblical Apostle Paul. However, since Paul is such a new character to the canon, it’s less about what their name pertains to now and more about what could happen to their character in atn.
Apostle Paul goes through a ton of shit, but I’ll list son of my favorites that could possibly pertain to/be adapted for our Paul in atn.
- Tons of missionary trips and letters explaining why the churches are behaving wrong (possibly pertaining to necromancy?)
- That one time where paul and silas were arrested but still stay in jail despite their chains being broken by an earthquake. (Causing their guard to convert bc they didnt run while he was asleep. As if they did that he wouldve been killed for being asleep.) (i have no idea what this could pertain to i just think it’d be cool)
- paul makes tents (no real reason, i just think it would be fun if paul made tents)
- gets shipwrecked and is bit by a poisonous snake but doesnt die (again. No real reason. Could be cool)
- head gets cut off?? (I think someone’s getting beheaded in atn and if it’s not John Paul is a likely contender.)
Continuing on—
The Blood of Eden Cast!
So according to Muir, traditional BoE names follow a three-part naming system. (Though we only see the full three parts in Wake's name, and supposedly a single part in the others.)
"Awake Remembrance of These Valiant Dead" is a reference to the play Henry V by William Shakespeare. The first part of a BoE name seems to have a literary and/or religious aspect to it.
The second part of Wake's name is "Kia Hua Ko Te Pai", which is "Let goodness flourish" and is a line in New Zealand's national anthem. The second part of a BoE name seems to have more to do with culture.
The third part, which the fandom loves to poke fun at, is "Snap Back to Reality Oops There Goes Gravity," from Eminem's song "Lose Yourself". However, an important part of BoE naming culture I want to touch on is described in this post that I was sent by a friend (shoutout to the lovely @bonewennch who is the world's biggest Wake fan) when writing this essay.
Tl;Dr, BoE does not know what parts of Earth history are 'important'. John, who was there, names his friends and followers after 'important', 'historical' figures, figures that have some level of intelligence tied to them. Things that are considered “high” culture. But he was there. BoE was not; only their ansecestors were. So they're attempting to conserve AS MUCH OF EARTH'S HISTORY as possible. And to them? Why is a rap song less important than a mythological figure? It's a part of their lost history all the same, and they are doing all they can to perserve it.
"Our lady of the Passion", Pash, seems to be a reference to the Virgin Mary— 'our lady of' is how majority of her titles begin, and 'Virgin of the Passion' is a famous painting by Emmanuel Tzanfournaris depicting the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus. This seems to be the first part of Pash's name, referencing a religious or artistic figure.
AIM has more or less been confirmed to mean 'AOL Instant Messenger'. So we can more or less say that 'AIM' is the last third of her name. The third part of a BoE name seems more or less to reference 'pop culture' in some way or form.
Crown him With Many Crowns, Coronabeth's BoE name, seems to be the first part of her name, as it references a 1851 hymn of the same name—'Crown him with many crowns, The Lamb upon his throne,'
We Suffer and We Suffer seems to be a literary reference. The tlt wiki references it as coming from Robert Fagles' translation of Aeschylus' Agamemnon: "CHORUS: But Justice turns the balance scales, sees that we suffer and we suffer and we learn." It is likely the first part of her name.
And shoutout to Nona's gang bc I am not even attempting to tackle that.
And finally:
Alecto is an interesting case. If I remember correctly, John didn't name her Alecto personally. He named her A.L. Annabel Lee. Almost certainly a reference to the Edgar Allan Poe Poem of the same name. The poem 'Annabel Lee' tells a tale of a girl that the narrator is in love with. Long poem short (It's not that long actually), Annabel Lee and the narrator are in love, Annabel Lee is killed by angels who are jealous of her and their love, the narrator is sad and mourns her. But what's more interesting is the specific stanzas that one could reference directly. (One of the few of these books I have a copy of!) I've pulled a few of my favorites.
'And this maiden she lived with no other thought/Than to love and be loved by me.'
'To shut her up in a sepulchre/In this kingdom by the sea.'
'And neither the angels in Heaven above/Nor the demons down under the sea/Can ever dissever my soul from the soul/Of the beautiful Annabel Lee'
'In her sepulchre there by the sea/In her tomb by the sounding sea.'
The references to the tomb are fairly obvious. (A 'sepulchre' is a room of stone in which a person is buried. So.)
So did John always know, that he would imprison her? Or when he realized he was afraid of her, did he think back to the poem and think, 'a tomb by the sea. that's a good idea.' Did he always know she was meant to end up like this?? What's your thought process John.
The other two stanzas obviously reference the relationship between Alecto and John, ('I still love you', 'you said that too',) and 'can never dissever my soul from the soul', obviously referencing Alecto's creation and the concept of lyctorhood in of itself.
But Alecto? Alecto is the name of a fury in greek mythos. Servants of hades. (Both as in the god, and as in hell itself.) Goddesses of Wrath, harbingers of vengeance. The ones who punish those who have done wrong. This 100% lines up with the Alecto we think of. A harbringer of vengeance. The thing with the furies is that they're not always considered 'evil', but rather bringers of justice. Bringing it in a bit of a horrifying way, however. SO Alecto to me.
I cannot remember if it was ever explained who named Alecto or why they named her that. If anyone remembers please tell me.
Now, John.
John fucking Gaius.
'John' is a lot more convoluted, so let's start with Gaius. Gaius obvious stems from 'Gaia', the greek primordial being of the earth. John adopted this name post-ressurection. A post on here mentions that John's name reflects the traditional naming of a lyctor. 'Ianthe Naberius'. "John Gaius". Alecto, the Earth, his cavalier. He's taken on both the name of the earth, his destruction, and his cavalier. It makes me feel a bit insane.
(I wonder how this will reflect in Kiriona Gaia. Bc yes, we could go with the obvious 'she's just taking on his name as most children do' but names are so important to tlt i can't imagine that's the only reason. 'Gaia', the Earth, means something for Kiriona.)
'John' is harder, because there's a fuck ton of Johns. There are a lot. Of biblical Johns. But here are the most relevent.
John the Baptist is a sort of 'forerunner' for Jesus, his literal cousin. He declares Baptism as a symbol of repentance, and that he baptizes not with water, but with the holy spirit. He baptizes Jesus. He's a wild man. Living in the wilderness. Eating bugs. He later criticizes a king for marrying his brother's ex-wife and gets beheaded (at the request of the kings stepdaughter, whose mom made her ask for it) and allegedly served on a platter. So do with that what you will.
John the Apostle was the youngest disciple of Jesus. He likely wrote the book of John, which are the verses we see referenced in John's chapters in ntn. He's also considered the cousin of Jesus in many traditions, and 'the disciple whom Jesus loved'. He spends majority of the new testament following Jesus around like some cool older cousin. When Jesus is dying on the cross, he commands John take in his mother as his own, which John does. Later, John goes on to help found the beginnings of the Christian church. Some accounts say he was plunged into boiling water for his faith (?) but escaped? And later died of old age.
John of Patmos is a likely contender, I feel. He is (allegedly) the author of the book of Revelation. Which. I'll be honest, I've never finished bc it scared the hell out of me as a kid. But know vaguely a few things of Revelation, I could totally see it pertaining to John. So. If you have any answers to that let me know.
In conclusion, I have no idea which ‘John’ John Gaius is a reference to.
And If John does die in atn, I hope he's either getting beheaded or boiled alive.
Reminder that majority of this is unconfirmed and just speculation! Also I didn't do much research doing this it was mostly from memory! (Which. Is why I say ‘I don’t know’ so much I made this for fun I don’t know all that much!)
So forgive me if I am very, very wrong! (And correct me!) And thank you if you actually read this far!
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