Homestuck - Breath and blood
Worldly Detachment and attachment
Breath
Breath is part of the simplest aspect to analyse. It’s the effect of the wind flowing and doing a loop. It’s a well balanced icon, having to flows going either in opposite or same direction. The deep blue suggests the sky and the light blue something that is more transparent, allowing to see the sky through it.
The shape can remind us of a roller coaster or a wild toboggan’s looping, which is fitting considering that Breath embodies movement and frivolity, among others.
The wind is intangible, but very much present. There’s a pun linked to it materiality. Several even. The first one is the title of the 6th volume of the Homestuck OST: Heir transparent.
It is the highest rank on John’s echeladder. This pun emphasizes the fact that John, the Heir, can turn into his aspect, and so become transparent like the wind.
We can take a look at Jane’s side, whom is the Heiress apparent to the Crocker Corp. empire. A ‘visible’ opposition to John’s invisibility.
We can also mention one of the Strife! tracks, named Heir conditioning, a theme song for John that apply a lot of breath related puns:
Heir conditioning —> air conditioning —> air con —> Con Air
Should I dare say that the world transparent, or trans parent is really interesting and worth mentioning? >;)
That’s some material for another theory.
There’s a neat mention of the Legend of Zelda Wind Waker, when John refers his ectobiologist suit as:
Not only it does have some more or less similitude to Link’s infamous green tunic and belt, it is also an innocent remark, not knowing his potential Breath abilities yet; as this Link is untitled the “Hero of Winds”, waving a conductor wand named the ‘Wind Waker’, having control over wind and movement.
[See the pattern on the belt, a spiral omnipresent in the wind, decorative motifs and smokes effects in Wind Waker]
Even the symbol on the boat sail is reminiscent of the Breath aspect
Link can be seen as the bond between John and Tavros (both Breath bound), has his design been heavily influenced by Peter Pan (named Pupa Pan on Alternia), a mischievous childish boy that flies and live freely as the wind. Not to mention that Peter is at the head of the Lost boys, fitting in the leadership concept of the Breath aspect.
Hmm, a wand. Speaking of leading, that reminds me of one peculiar quote of a [S]:
“Somewhere a zealous god threads these strings between the clouds and the earth, preparing for a symphony it fears impossible to play. And so it threads on, and on, delaying the raise of the conductor's baton. “
Conduction leads to movement and leading. While I know that in Homestuck it actually refer to someone else, it’s an interesting connection to make.
Two different ways of leading: through Breath (individuality, direction) and through Space (setting, creation). To meditate on..
Breath-bound recommended lyricstuck: C’mon by P!ATD and Fun
Blood
It’s an open wound letting three trail of blood coming out. The blood is fresh and vibrant, while the background is darker, maybe symbolising older blood.
Blood is the literal liquid that flows in our veins, but also more conceptually the bonds that we share. Friends, brothers, groups, it is also present in pacts, sealing a deal or a relationship.
Making blood flow out is synonym of sacrifice, involving pain.
Sacrificing a lamb to appease the gods became sacrificing a person to maintain the integrity of a social group. Hence the term ‘scapegoat’.
The blood-bound is deeply involved in society, which imply suffering, even rejection.
Following this trail of thought, we can make an interesting link to the Sheikah clan from the Legend of Zelda series (again haha):
The picture above (which is usually blood red) is the symbol of the Sheikah clan, a group bond to Hyrule’s royal family, which pledged to protect them and get rid of any enemies. They live hidden, and keep deep down any secrets, which make it more Void-bound. [The item “Lens of truth” reveals to the player hidden elements in Link’s environment, as the Sheikah stones, while wearing the Mask of Truth, share with you tips and gossips, the latter is a very Roxy-like behaviour].
But I couldn’t help but noticed the similarity in the logo: the running drop. Both are liquid, and the connection between the two isn’t trivial, as the Sheikahs are assassins that murder any threat to the crown. Plus the pact they have with the royal family and place in society, an invisible sacrifice. There’s no mistake, Void and Blood are connected (Karkat had to hide his mutation, his blood to remain alive in troll society) and they suffer in silence.
Blood-bound recommended lyricstuck: Run boy run by Woodkid and Counting starsigns by One republic