Regina’s vault
For some reason I started thinking about Regina’s vault last night. Why does she even have a vault and what does it mean? The vault as Regina’s safe place is obvious, but it’s in a graveyard, and might be more accurately called a crypt or mausoleum. What does it mean that she has a crypt? Why do some scenes take place there? I have no idea, really, which is why I wanted to bring it up.
So, a “vault”. A secure space physically, and symbolically also an emotional one. A place to store valuables.
“The vault is the safest place that you can possibly dream of outside of being held by a parent or loved one. If you dream about placing something inside of a vault it represents hiding a part of yourself or life away from the rest of the world in the hope that if you put it away the outside world will not be able to affect it. A dream featuring a vault indicates you have repressed anger. It can also represent your need to keep things close to protect them and yourself. Positively, a vault can mean you need to be open about how you are feeling. Share your fears and frustrations with those close to you so they do not the build-up to where you just explode.” x
Regina’s vault is located in a graveyard, underground, and holds the coffin of her father (and Cora and Daniel too?, I don’t remember) and a bunch of stolen hearts and magical ingredients. So really more a "crypt”, or mausoleum, or catacomb, or necropolis(!). All of which sound decidedly creepy.
A crypt “designates an underground room or vault beneath a church and is used as a burial place. Thus, a crypt is by nature and status a hidden place. … the metaphor prompts experts to scrutinize two levels: the surface and the depth.”
A crypt’s dream symbolism: “This often depicts your unconscious memories or feelings. But it may indicate repressed parts of you, or family influences from the long past. It may also show feelings emerging from the unconscious, or fear of death.” x
The vault makes it’s first appearance in 1.07, when a wolf leads Graham and Emma there. This is when Emma and Regina have their fistfight, and the same episode in which Graham dies. It’s not an inviting place:
Not sure when we next see it, but by season 2 it’s serving as Regina’s hideout, still not a place frequented by many (or any):
Finally in 3.17, Regina tells Emma: “Meet me in my vault in one hour.” It sounds so cozy and inviting, a rendezvous in a private place. If she’d said “Meet me in my crypt in one hour”, not so much.
By season 4 Regina’s having sex in the vault:
And partying with the gang:
Because it’s really not creepy to hang out in a graveyard.
Before long everyone has been in Regina’s once secret and private vault. It’s become the favorite family hangout. You know, when you’re out and about in town and think to yourself, “I’m just going to take a stroll through the graveyard and pop into the vault to see what’s up with Regina.”