The Jackal and the Serpent: A Rare Syncretic Anubis
Deep within the 2nd-century Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa in Alexandria, Egypt, stands a fascinating example of ancient religious fusion: the anguipede Anubis (serpent-legged Anubis).
This striking relief perfectly embodies the melting pot of the Greco-Roman-Egyptian world. The traditional Egyptian jackal-headed god is depicted wearing Roman military armor and holding a spear, while his lower body transforms into coiling serpent tails. By merging Anubis with the Hellenistic protective serpent deity Agathos Daimon, this unique imagery represents a powerful hybrid sentinel—a cosmic guardian tasked with warding off evil and shielding the threshold of the tomb.
“Man's experience tells him that wherever there are signs of life, death is in the offing. The more alive this life becomes, the nearer death draws, until the supreme moment—the enchanted moment when something new is created—when death and life meet in an embrace of mad ecstasy.”
I have been researching some of the legends Sleepy mentioned in her q&a again. She mentions the epic poem Nibelungenlied (though only in reference to the three nixies) so I thought I would research it.
I found something of possible interest? Siegfried was nearly invulnerable since he bathed in the blood of a dragon he slayed, except for a single spot on his back where a Lindon leaf fell and prevented the blood from touching his skin.
Kriemhild (Siegfried’s wife) sews a cross (an X) on Siegfried’s clothing where this weakness is. This cross was meant to act as a protective measure (to tell their ally, Hagen, where to protect Siegfried), however Hagen betrayed them and drove a spear into Siegfried’s back when he was drinking from a stream.
Ryujin has the dragon (Ryujin is a dragon in Japanese myth), blood (her gift) and X link to Siegfried? Ryujin can harden her blood to become invulnerable (ep. 70), and Ryujin’s friend(?), Jiwon, embroidered an X on Ryujin’s cap (ep. 48).
Interestingly, the first time Ryujin died was from being shot in the head when she was wearing this cap.
Getting this out there before the new movie comes out and spoils my reading
The characters in Madoka Rebellion parallels the cosmology of Gnosticism
Warning: I am not Gnostic, nor am I an expert in Gnostic lore, I am basing this purely on what I know so feel free to correct me.
So starting with the obvious: Godoka/The Law of Cycles and the Monad
(there is no picture of the gnostic monad so you'll have to deal with this one of the pythagorean monad)
The Monad in gnosticism is the prime mover, the being from which all eminates. This is is probably the losest connection since Madoka is not a primeval originator, but otherwise it fits pretty well; To simplify, the Monad is the center of the Plemora, the Emmanations or Aeons it creates of itself, which are both spirits of their own and parts of the Monad.
Going by the way both Sayaka and Homura talk about the Law of Cycles at the end of Rebellion, we know the Law of Cycles is not just Madoka; She may be the core and creator, but the force/being/heaven itself is made up of all the Magical Girls who have joined it. In other words, Madoka is the Monad, the Law of Cycles is the Plemora, and the magical girls like Sayaka and Nagisa are the Aeons.
Going one step further, Sayaka is Sophia
Sophia is one of the Aeons who, reasoning depending on your telling, falls from the Plemora, and her longing to return to it creates physical matter which leads to the Demiurge - if she created the Demiurge or not depends (in some versions Demiurge is a creation of Achamoth, Sophia's daughter) but she was at least in part responsible. When the Demiurge creates the physical world from Sophia's matter, Sophia herself enters it and imbues it with Pneuma, or soul. Sophia's name literally means Wisdom.
In Rebellion, Sayaka (ey same initial) is a part of the Law of Cycles who is sepparated from it, albeit intentionally to act as an outside agent. In her exile, alongside Nagisa and Aeons are noted as usually existing in pairs - one of Sophia's possible reasons for falling was attempting to act on her own - Sayaka unwittingly but consequently plants the idea of Homura's own fall from grace in her mind by suggesting that the Witch's labyrinth where they all get to exist happily isn't so bad.
While she's not wholly responsible, like Sophia, she certainly had a part in Homura's decision at the end of the movie to create a new or false reality for Madoka and the others to be happy - which results in Sayaka, just like Sophia, being permanently severed from the Plemora/Law of Cycles. Also like Sophia, Sayaka exists in this new world and still has part of her divinity (seen when she summons Oktavia) and knowledge of the Truth, thus being source of wisdom in a false reality.
Leading us into Homura as the Demiurge
Y'all know this one lassies, the Demiurge Yaldabaoth is the false god, the creator of the world but not the actual supreme being. Depending on which writings you use, the world was either made maliciously as an attempt at entrapping God (the parallels there should be obvious), or merely foolishly in a flawed attempt at copying the Plemora. Depending on the source it may also be actively malicious and tortures people a la the devil, or just an animal.
We'll have to wait and see which depiction of the Demiurge Homura fits the closest with - maybe her reality is breaking apart because it truly was just a poor emulation of the original - but for now at least there are some clear similarities; the ones mentioned above in regards to Sayaka, and the obvious part where she built a false reality to entrap the true Monad, a usurper god.
I’ve been examining Jinhee Young and Ryujin “Heejin” Kang since they seem to be set up as foils this arc, in association with Sayeon.
Going back to the names. They both use the same written characters, just in a different order.
Hee (희) can mean Joy/Delight, or Bright/Shining.
Jin (진) can mean Precious/Treasure, or True/Real.
It might indicate that they both represent a type of “shining truth” to Sayeon? However, one that is real and one that only seems real?
Another interesting thing I noticed is that Jinhee and Ryujin both had dragon plush toys when they were younger. I was trying to figure out the symbolism and have come up with a theory:
In ep. 118 Algol, we see Jinhee hugging her dragon. They are both in the same frame.
“Algol” can mean Satan’s head (reference to Medusa’s head). Dragons can represent the Devil (godling?). Could it represent accepting a fake truth?
In ep. 89 Promise, we see Ryujin fighting the dragon to rescue the princess. Ryujin is in a separate frame.
“Promise” in this context is the promise to save. To rescue the princess (Sayeon) from the Devil (godling?).
I also noticed some interesting framing in the recent episodes:
In ep. 118 Algol, Ryujin is ignored as Jinhee rushes to Sayeon.
Next Ryujin overtakes her. What is most interesting is that we visibly see Ryujin overtake Jinhee in this scene. Her worry and care, breaks through and wins here.
However, Jinhee rushes forward again to overtake Ryujin. We see them in the same frame again as she does this.
In ep 121 You Were Warned, Ryujin follows Sayeon again because she is worried. They are together again, it is Ryujin’s care that makes her act.
Jinhee overtakes Ryujin again. Again they are seen in the same frame.
Jinhee reaches Sayeon again. She is surrounded by those sparkles that seem to represent zeal or worship.
In this scene, Ryujin is placed behind Jinhee, with Jinhee’s hair still in view, making Ryujin seem left behind.
I don’t think these framing are a coincidence, just like their names, the scenes are set up as Jinhee vs “Heejin”. Who will reach Sayeon? The Worship or the Love?
Also if Ryujin symbolizes Jesus Christ, is it possible then that Jinhee, who seems to be “Heejin’s” foil, is meant to be the false prophet, the “anti-christ”?
Will Jinhee lead Sayeon astray? Will an act of love intervene?
Literally no one asked and this is completely off topic for my so-called book blog but the topic of evil women in suits came up so I feel compelled to say:
Friends, acquaintances, strangers, bots, I am begging - no, imploring - you all to go read the webtoon Hand Jumper by Sleepacross. Literally over 50% of the characters are evil women in suits and they've ALL killed before. And the art is amazing. Just LOOK at this:
Go. I beg you. It is free to read and has over a hundred chapters already. Then come back here and scream with me 😭😭
Hahha Sayeon is accidentally being hilarious. Love the silly little drawings.
Ohh Ryujin heard her talking to herself did she!?
Hahaha Sayeon just like yep option "I'm crazy and she knows it".
The godling can sense Sayeon heart? Can it hear sayjin? Is it a shipper lol?
Jokes aside, the godling seems to already know what Sayeon is feeling? It can "sense her heart"? Even before any deals? Hmm why make the deal then? Does the "humanity" the godling receives through a deal feel even more substantial? Or is their more to this?
Can it feel everyone's emotions to a certain degree, or can it sense Sayeon's feelings because it is the one to give her family their gift? Hmm but back in episode 74 when it was with Samin it didn't seem to think about her emotions at all? Maybe it's the "Mark of Belief" that heightens the ability to sense Sayeon's heart?
Also why is the blood only there sometimes? Or is it some kind of dark miasma?
Wow Ryujin is perceptive for her to realize Sayeon is also seeing things.
Huh I'm surprised the godling is pushing for Sayeon to tell Ryujin? What's it's angle? Just to put stress on Sayeon? To somehow get Ryujin in its snare too? If Ryujin did find out about the godling then surely it knows that Ryujin would tell Sayeon not to take the deal, right?
Hmm.. the Well Godling did seem confused back in episode 72 when Sayeon called her gift a curse. Like the godling didn't even consider it being anything else but a "blessing". It's possible that it still has this mindset and just arrogantly thinks Ryujin would think the godling is something to worship? Hmm not sure yet on this one.
Also Sayeon so casual with the shoulder touch now.
"Dishonesty is displeasing to the eyes". Eyes. A lot of focus on eyes. I wonder...
In episode 118 Father Hope mentions “change” is what makes Jinhee precious in the “Eyes of Naj”. I took this sentence as one of the basis on why I thought the godling Naj could be based on the Mayan Jaguar God of the Underworld, since the Jaguar God's domain covers transformations (change), fire, and the night (death).
If I follow this logic (and if the Well Godling is telling the truth) then is "truth" an important aspect of the Well Godling? An important part of it's "godhood"?
If I follow this further, and think of Roman Gods (implied from the last episode that the Well Godling might be based on a Roman God) then two possibilities come to mind?
Apollo - God of light, music, poetry, prophecy, medicine, healing, and the sun. He also cannot lie (though he could still deceive in other ways). His connection to the oracles is interesting too, especially Cassandra. Cassandra was blessed with power of accurate foresight by Apollo, but also cursed to never be believed. Possible Well Godling and Sara parallel? From what we can tell so far Sara never revealed her future sight gift to anyone. Was it because she thought what she saw wouldn't be believed?
However, I think the next option is more likely, and far more interesting:
Veritas - Goddess of Truth, the daughter of Saturn (God of Time). She is known for dwelling at the bottom of a sacred, empty well. The only item she holds is a mirror that she holds up to people to reveal the lies they tell to themselves. Reveals what they really want (ep, 40 parallel?). Also interesting since the godling is currently using a mirror that reflects Sayeon's form.
If true, then maybe the Time Gift is passed down from the Well Godling's father Saturn?
Furthermore, I've heard a theory that the series might be leading up to the Well Godlings death? If this happens, then this means it will be the "Death of Truth"? This is especially interesting since I’ve also recently been looking at the possible Christian theology symbolism in Hand Jumper, so this makes me think that the Well Godling could possibly be a twisted biblical "Spirit of Truth" too?
Also if true, then in the episode 73 “The Girl and the Devil’’... It’s possible that Sayeon was the Devil from the beginning.. And it was simply the godling who was the Girl (Goddess). Just like how Sayeon was also the Devil in episode 91. Deal with the Devil. (big shout out to @queenxfirefly whos recent post on episode 73 put the idea in my head that the Well Godling could be a female god).
Hmm I’ll need to think more about this. Just getting lost in my thoughts again. Let's continue.
Wait Sayeon says she trusts Ryujin! I'm surprised she admitted this to herself. This is a big thing for Sayeon! We all know how important "trust" is to Sayeon (in bracket since I think it is associated with a lot of other emotions too). Hmm going back to my Christian theology thoughts Sayeon's "trust" could also mirror the biblical trust too?
She's calling the godling stupid to think Ryujin trusts her back. While I definitely think Ryujin has got complex feelings about Sayeon I find it interesting how quickly Sayeon dismisses the possibility.
Also interesting thing to note is that she always wanted her teams trust, but had difficulty trusting them back. It's now kind of reversed in the way she trusts Ryujin, but the team doesn't really trust Sayeon? Or at least have mixed feelings about her leadership.
Oh Sayeon admitting the missing friend thing is true to Ryujin!?
I wonder what Sayeon's essence feels like at the moment? Ryujin looks quite anxious asking how she is.
Funny that the biggest thing that seems to make Sayeon doubt the godling's power is because the godling said to tell Ryujin the truth. To trust Ryujin.
Again mentioning that the godling can sense Sayeon's feeling and thoughts. Could it always do this?
Another thing that's interesting is that the godling's eye here is surrounded by that "dark miasma" again?
The imagery in this frame is interesting to me. Hmm.. It could just be because my mind is currently thinking about Christian theology, but I thought about this quote from the Christian bible:
"Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand." - Matthew 13:13
Ryujin is not yet ready to see the godling, the "god"?
Comparing her to Sara. Back in episode 116 I think Sara did seem a little more honest with her emotions then Sayeon? I wonder if Sara told anyone about the godling and her gift? Her husband maybe? She also didn't seem to care that her "Mark of Belief" symbol was visible either.
Hmm She seems unsure if the godling is real so will she ignore the warning about her teammates being in danger?
Ooooh Jinhee also has the "Mark of Belief"!! And can see when a godling appears???
Interesting that the mark is highlighted by blue, while every other time we have seen the mark it appeared red (like Sara's mark back in ep 112). Is this to visually show that this mark is connected to another godling? To Naj?
She immediately assumes that the spiral she saw was the "The spiral of Lord Naj". It speak of some personal familiarity? She did not seem shocked by seeing things at all, just shocked that the spiral appeared in front of Sayeon. Has she done one of those rituals before and seen things?
Wait... back in episode 118 Jinhee was talking to Naj? I just assumed at the time that she was basically just talking to herself, but is it possible she actually was talking to Naj? Though perhaps the communication is fractured (one-sided?) because otherwise she would know more, right? Naj would tell her to be careful around Sayeon? Maybe?
Does that mean the cult (and Begonia?) are actually more aware about godlings then we know. How would she know about the "Mark of Belief" otherwise? Do many members have this symbol? Or is Jinhee just that extreme to get the tattoo(?)?
Hmm Jinhee did ask Sayeon if she was a Follower of Naj when she first saw the mark on her arm, so probably some other members have it too?
Ow she overheard them talking, will she be suspicious that they are being a little too familiar with each other? Though I suppose the words could potentially be taken as strangers still..
Also say if Sayeon told Ryujin everything like the godling wanted then Jinhee would of overheard. Was the godling unaware? Or was that part of a plan to corner Sayeon? Get her to use even more of her essence?
Again I'm wondering how far-reaching or limited the godlings abilities are?
Aww Ryujin worried. Love the faces she makes lol.
Is Ryujin now questioning if it all was an act for Jinhee? That it was all part of Sayeon's plan from the beginning? Or is it possible Ryujin could feel the truth in Sayeon's statement? Since Sayeon really does want to know if a godling is visiting her, just not the one Jinhee thinks is visiting her. Both?
It's also interesting that Ryujin is placed behind Jinhee like this (with the hair still in view, making Ryujin "Heejin" seem left behind?). I wonder if Jinhee will bring the worst of Sayeon's qualities out with her blind worship? Now that Ryujin needs to act distant?
Also, this whole time Sayeon has been questioning if the godling was even real. Will Jinhee be able to prove that the godling is real? Will she make it more likely for Sayeon to agree to the godling's deal?
Ohh more lore!
The warrior king, Theophilos. Research time: There is a famous Byzantine Emperor by the same name? It could potentially be a reference to him? He was known for his iconoclastic policy (someone who destroys religious icons or monuments). At one point some of his troops and Persian mercenaries rebelled against him and proclaimed someone else Emperor (Sazeritai rebellion?). Even with all the defeats and his highly controversial iconoclastic policy he seemed to be considered a fairly good Emperor. However his son was another story and was known as Machael III "The Drunkard".
It's also possibly a reference to the "Theophilus of Adana" legend? Where a priest made a deal with devil (godling?), but deeply regretted it.
Or maybe neither?
Another interesting thing to note is that "Theophilos" means "Loved by God".
It's interesting that Jinhee called Theophilas a "Champion", so she knows other godling's can have a champion, not just Naj? Maybe the cult see Naj's "The Chosen Vessel" champion a little different from just a normal one though?
Oh new godling name drop too, Selume. My first thought was of Selene, Greek Goddess of the Moon, just because of the similar name. I also thought of Khonsu, Egyptian God of the Moon, Time, and Youth, because this god has a very similar moon-disk on his head. However, the Greek border (sometimes Roman) makes me think of the first option.
Oh so the relic could only a be used by someone "without a vengeful heart".
Sad so Theophilos killed his own son. Ah I see he saved the kingdom like he originally wished, but not in the way he envisioned.
"Always for a price, but not the one you expected"...hmm now I'm questioning the Well Godling's "humanity" deal again. Could the godling mean something else? Especially since it already has some kind of ability to feel what Sayeon is feeling? In episode 73 when Sayeon asked the Well Godling what exactly it meant by "humanity" it only answered in a vague way "I want a taste of what you can feel". It was Sayeon that assumed that it meant it took an "emotion, sensation, or shard of her humanity". So what does the Well Godling actually mean??
Another interesting thing to note is that the "penalty"(killing his son) for Selume's deal was not immediately taken. It happened some time after the deal.
I was wondering where Jungwoo went.
Oh so Ryujin does remember that time Sayeon called her Jaeil?
Ahaha "why are you still here", good question. For someone who apparently only wanted a free coffee, she sure doesn't seem to want to leave lol.
Honestly Sayeon and Ryujin are pretty lucky Jinhee is so distracted by finding the "chosen one" that she hasn't questioned how weird they have been acting with each other. They both have been way to familiar with each other since the beginning.
Raksha, new (ancient) country name drop. Another godling name drop, too - Durvara, the impassable.
The name, lotus border and godling design makes me think of India? A patron godling, so some countries worshipped fully to one godling? And there was some loyalty back?
[Note - As for who exactly the godling could be based on I would recommend reading the godling page in @queenxfirefly's Mythological Codex (some pages might have fast past spoilers but there is a spoiler tag warning if it does)]
Ohhh Twenty Wonders of the World! I guess with godlings running around in the past there's bound to be more wonders. Love this detail.
Jinhee mentions communication with Naj again here. "He has words for whoever listens". It seems she likely has at least heard Naj speak before?
Also Sayeon is in view when she says this? Will Naj try to contact Sayeon though the "Mark of Belief"?
Now Sayeon remembers what the Well Godling said. Though I wonder why the godling warned Sayeon at all and gave her the opportunity to do something, when it's deal would more likely be taken after she lost her teammates?
Lucy, or Lucia, of Syracuse is one of many young women and virgin martyrs in the early centuries of Christian history. Historically, Syracuse, and much of Sicily for that matter, was home to Greek colonists before falling under first the Phoenicians then to Rome. This would explain Lucy's Greek ancestry. Her family was wealthy and like many young girls in ancient Rome, she found herself being betrothed. The problem was that Lucy had already promised herself to another. She made a private vow to God to marry no one and serve Christ for the rest of her life.
Lucy rejected her pagan would-be betrothed. He denounced her as a Christian, which was punishable by torture and/or death under the Emperor Diocletian and Maximian. She was brought to the governor and sentenced to forced prostitution. According to legend, no man touched her. She was dragged out of the brothel, had her eyes gouged out, and was set to be burned at the stake. When that failed, she was beheaded.
O God, our Creator and Redeemer, Mercifully hear our prayers as we venerate Thy servant, St. Lucy, for the light of faith Thou didst bestow upon her, Thou wouldst vouchsafe to increase and to preserve this same light in our souls, that we may be able to avoid evil, to do good and to abhor nothing so much as the blindness and the darkness of evil and of sin.
In Sicily, her relics have been paraded through the city in gratitude for her petitions against famine and epidemics. Italian Catholics in certain regions of Italy and Dalmatia celebrate her feast day with feasts and cuccia, a type of dessert made of wheatberries, butter, sugar, chocolate, and milk. In Scandinavian countries, St. Lucy Day is celebrated with young girls wearing white dresses and crowned with wreaths as they give out gingerbread cookies.
Relying on Thy goodness, O God, we humbly ask Thee, by the intercession of Thy servant, St. Lucy that Thou wouldst give perfect vision to our eyes, that they may serve for Thy greater honour and glory, and for the salvation of our souls in this world, that we may come to the enjoyment of the unfailing light of the Lamb of God in paradise.
St. Lucy, virgin and martyr, hear our prayer and obtain our petitions.
Patronage: against blindness, against dysentery, against epidemics, against diseases of the eyes and throats, against fires, against spiritual blindness, blind people, children, glassblowers, authors, ophthalmologists, porters, lamp lighters, opticians, scribes, seamtresses, stained glass workers, traveling merchants/salesmen, writers; diocese of Syracuse, Sicily; St. Lucy, Barbados.
According to a local Patraean myth, the river Selemnus was originally a mortal man, a young and handsome shepherd who used to feed his flock by the Argyra spring near the town of Argyra. The sea-nymph of that spring, Argyra, fell in love with him and would often visit him and sleep by his side. But as the years passed and Selemnus grew older and less handsome, Argyra ceased to visit him with the same frequency as before. Eventually she stopped coming to him altogether and withdrew to her liquid home.
Selemnus was heartbroken over her desertation. In his despair he wasted away and eventually died of grief. Aphrodite, the goddess of love, pitied the unfortunate man so she turned him into a river which took his name, Selemnos. But even in his new aquatic form he still pined for Argyra and missed her terribly, so Aphrodite further helped him out by wiping out all of his memories of Argyra and his love for her.
For that reason, men and women of Achaea would wash themselves in the waters of the Selemnus in order to rid themselves of their erotic passions. Pausanias, who rarely makes remarks on the legends he relates, comments that if true, this would make the river more valuable to mankind than any wealth.
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