>TenhGrey mNo edit summary |
>TenhGrey mNo edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[File:Jellyfish_DW.png|frame|A Jellyfish waiting on a lonely stretch of road in the Dense Woods.]] | [[File:Jellyfish_DW.png|frame|A Jellyfish waiting on a lonely stretch of road in the Dense Woods.]] | ||
The characters known as Jellyfish are [[List of characters|NPCs]] that can be found in the [[Dense Woods|dense woods]], and also make an appearance during | The characters known as Jellyfish are [[List of characters|NPCs]] that can be found in the [[Dense Woods|dense woods]], and also make an appearance during the final scene of the game. | ||
They are red and maroon in color and resemble jellyfish or weeping flower buds. Jellyfish have no humanoid characteristics other than the two squat legs visible from below the petal-like frill. | They are red and maroon in color and resemble jellyfish or weeping flower buds. Jellyfish have no humanoid characteristics other than the two squat legs visible from below the petal-like frill. | ||
| Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
Most notably, despite being surreal creatures exclusive to Madotsuki's dreams, they appear in the real world after she jumps from her balcony. This may indicate that what was apparently the 'real world' was nothing more than another layer of Madotsuki's dreams, or may suggest that they were supernatural entities that always existed outside of Madotsuki's dreams and guided the events of the game from the beginning. | Most notably, despite being surreal creatures exclusive to Madotsuki's dreams, they appear in the real world after she jumps from her balcony. This may indicate that what was apparently the 'real world' was nothing more than another layer of Madotsuki's dreams, or may suggest that they were supernatural entities that always existed outside of Madotsuki's dreams and guided the events of the game from the beginning. | ||
They are also the only NPC character (other than Uboa and the Toriningen) to be immune to the knife effect. | They are also the only NPC character (other than [[Poniko#Uboa|Uboa]] and the [[Toriningen]]) to be immune to the knife effect. | ||
This implies that they represent a very powerful force in Madotsuki's psyche on par with these other major characters, yet unlike Uboa and the Toriningen, Jellyfish show no obvious signs of hostility. This trait may also tie in to the theory of them being supernatural or deific figures. | This implies that they represent a very powerful force in Madotsuki's psyche on par with these other major characters, yet unlike Uboa and the Toriningen, Jellyfish show no obvious signs of hostility. This trait may also tie in to the theory of them being supernatural or deific figures. | ||
[[File:Lotus-flower.jpg|thumb|left|A lotus flower]]It has been suggested that Jellyfish are actually modelled after the lotus flower. In Japanese culture (including Buddhist symbolism), the lotus flower represents purity, divinity and spiritual awakening. This may be a metaphor for Madotsuki's suicide being a transcendence from her disturbed life into a state of 'nirvana' and peace. | [[File:Lotus-flower.jpg|thumb|left|A lotus flower. The Jellyfish may be interpreted as lotus buds or upside-down flowers.]]It has been suggested that Jellyfish are actually modelled after the lotus flower. In Japanese culture (including Buddhist symbolism), the lotus flower represents purity, divinity and spiritual awakening. This may be a metaphor for Madotsuki's suicide being a transcendence from her disturbed life into a state of 'nirvana' and peace, or her 'awakening' from the dream into the true real world. | ||
[[Category:Characters]] | [[Category:Characters]] | ||
Revision as of 05:36, 12 March 2011
The characters known as Jellyfish are NPCs that can be found in the dense woods, and also make an appearance during the final scene of the game.
They are red and maroon in color and resemble jellyfish or weeping flower buds. Jellyfish have no humanoid characteristics other than the two squat legs visible from below the petal-like frill.
When interacted with, the frill shuffles from side to side and produces a series of bell chimes. This triggers paraphysical events such as teleportation or twisted dimensions.
Jellyfish do not move or animate when idle, and show no response to any of Madotsuki's effects, including the knife and cat, which is very unusual for NPCs.
Warning: Game spoiler details follow
Interpretation
Jellyfish are strange characters that provoke a lot of questions. Their lack of expression and strange behaviour make them very mysterious characters.
Most notably, despite being surreal creatures exclusive to Madotsuki's dreams, they appear in the real world after she jumps from her balcony. This may indicate that what was apparently the 'real world' was nothing more than another layer of Madotsuki's dreams, or may suggest that they were supernatural entities that always existed outside of Madotsuki's dreams and guided the events of the game from the beginning.
They are also the only NPC character (other than Uboa and the Toriningen) to be immune to the knife effect. This implies that they represent a very powerful force in Madotsuki's psyche on par with these other major characters, yet unlike Uboa and the Toriningen, Jellyfish show no obvious signs of hostility. This trait may also tie in to the theory of them being supernatural or deific figures.
It has been suggested that Jellyfish are actually modelled after the lotus flower. In Japanese culture (including Buddhist symbolism), the lotus flower represents purity, divinity and spiritual awakening. This may be a metaphor for Madotsuki's suicide being a transcendence from her disturbed life into a state of 'nirvana' and peace, or her 'awakening' from the dream into the true real world.