[SYMBOLIC PARALLELS between these ATTACK ON TITAN manga panels, and a blooming LOTUS FLOWER.]
How a blooming lotus flower symbolizes falco’s entire character arc.
A falco character analysis post. (continue under the cut)
According to Encyclopedia Brittanica,
“The lotus flower blooms from a rather unremarkable bud to a flower that is resplendent in the glory of its multi-symmetrical open form.That is an analogy for an unenlightened individual on his journey to a realization of the Ultimate Truth.”
Falco started on a similar footing to a lotus flower. He’s the least impressive cadet, seen as weak, timid, and quite pathetic.
However, he slowly proves himself.
Physically, by passing Gabbi in the race.
Mentally, by being brave enough to take the bullet for Gabbi.
And Morally, by understanding the ultimate truth that neither side of the conflict is good or evil.
“However, the lotus flower’s journey does not begin in the open air but in the water below. As a bud, it is submerged in water that is not the most pleasant of environments – usually muddy, possibly full of natural or man-made debris, fish and insects.”
Falco is in the Marley side of the conflict. Unlike in Paradis where he would have been a regular person. Here, as an Eldian he is deemed the lesser race, having to be born and raised in a concentration camp.
He is a child soldier, forced to be below the rest of society, in an unpleasant system where he is sent on messy, muddy battlefields with bombs, guns, and flying titans.
“When the time comes for it to flower, the bud pushes resolutely past the unpleasantness and breaks free of its erstwhile coop.”
He not only has to fight, but he has to face the tragedy of losing people, as the fellow soldiers he bonded with die one by one. Despite the horrors Falco has to face from the world, he pushes through and continues growing as a person. He becomes braver, more resolute, more self-aware, and more heroic.
“ The core of the flower always remains untainted despite the environment in which it began its life.”
Similarly Falco’s values remain untainted despite living in a terrible and traumatic environment.
Let’s recount all of the times that the purity of Falco’s heart shone in the midst of bad situations.
1. He is injured in a battlefield, but is concerned enough to tell a flying bird to fly away, because it’s dangerous there.
2. Helping an injured enemy soldier while both sides are still raining bullets on each other.
3. Helping out an “invalid” soldier whom he had just walked past.
4. Trying to talk through Ryner out of a dark mental state, and wanting to be Ryner’s successor, essentially taking up the heavy responsibility of the Armored Titan.
5. Taking risks to protect Gabbi.
“Scholars of Confucianism love the lotus because while growing in mud, it is untainted. The rise of a lotus flower symbolizes growing from a dark place to a place of enlightenment and overcoming the base instincts of humanity.”
We see that in Falco here exactly. Where his character has fully grown, and he shows a good understanding of the nature of the war. While people’s base instincts are to hate on the enemy and try to kill them… Falco chooses to forgive because he has grown past humanity’s base instincts to discriminate against the other. He understands the perspective of the other side, and is aware of how senseless it is to perpetuate the war.
As a child born and raised in the middle of the conflict, it is amazing how he grows to be untainted by hate.
In the ending of the story, he emerges from the series pure of heart,
forgiving, and an advocate of reconciliation between Eldians and the world.
