#celestial maiden

[kyrieren]

Doumeki's irezumi

Irezumi (入れ墨, lit. 'inserting ink') is the Japanese word for tattoo, and is used in English to refer to a distinctive style of Japanese tattooing.

In chapter 53, Doumeki's back tattoo is revealed to be a "celestial maiden". Typically, irezumi incorporates motifs such as dragons, Buddhas, samurai, koi fish, and more, each carrying specific cultural and symbolic meanings referred to as wabori (和彫り). Intrigued by Doumeki's tattoo, I went asking if Doumeki’s tattoo is identified as any wabori and received responses suggesting it could represent either Nuwa (女媧) or Benzaiten (弁才天), given the details of snake and the stone in the goddess’ hands. After some research, Nuwa (女媧) seems to be more aligned with the story than Benzaiten (弁才天). However, I still present both of them and their possible interpretations in the story.

I. Nuwa (女媧)

Nüwa, is a mother goddess, cultural heroine in Chinese folk religion, Chinese Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. She is credited with creating humanity from clay by the river bank and repairing the Pillar of Heaven. Let’s focus on the myth of “repairing the Pillar of Heaven”.

The world of the first beings was very different from ours now. The earth was just in its infancy and was only separated from the sky by four very large pillars. One day, Gonggong (龔工), the god of water, and the god of fire, Zhurong (祝融) became locked in a massive battle that would determine the ruler of heaven. Gonggong, who was motivated by evil, ultimately lost the fight and crashed his head against Buzhou mountain—one of the four pillars holding up the heavens. The earth began to tremble and the pillar collapsed and ripped a hole in the sky. At this point, the earth was completely in tatters from Zhurong and Gonggong’s epic battle. Fires had scorched the earth, water was pouring incessantly from the hole in the sky. The ancient Chinese historian Sima Qian (司馬遷), recorded the following account of Nüwa’s heroic deed: “Hereupon Nüwa melted stones of the five colours to repair the heavens, and cut off the feet of the tortoise to set upright the four extremities of the earth. Gathering the ashes of reeds she stopped the flooding waters, and thus rescued the land.” From that moment on, the water in the heavenly palace no longer cascades on earth to cause harm to the people.

In mythology, Nuwa played a crucial role in repairing the sky hole and preventing heavenly water from pouring onto the earth. As rain – the water from the sky, the befallen suffering, is one of the main themes of Saezuru, the parallel is pretty evident. Given Doumeki’s persistence to stay in the yakuza world and his decision to have a wabori that big on his back, he is doing everything he can to manifest his devotion to stay on Yashiro’s side, end his suffering and protect him from any potential harms, even though up to the newest developments of the story, it doesn’t seem likely at all. They’re both confused and hurting each other.

II. Benzaiten (弁才天)

Benzaiten ( 弁才天 ) is the “goddess of eloquence" who originated mainly from the Hindu Indian Saraswati, goddess of speech, the arts, and learning. While Benzaiten retains many of the Indic attributes of Saraswati (as patron of music, the arts, eloquence, knowledge), she also has many unique aspects, roles and functions which never applied to the Indian goddess. As such, Benzaiten is now also associated with dragons, snakes, local Japanese deities, wealth, fortune, protection from disease and danger, and the protection of the state. Benzaiten is depicted in a number of ways in Japanese art, one of which is her portrait wielding a sword and a wish-granting jewel (cintāmaṇi). Eloquence and wish-granting? I haven’t been able to draw the parallel to Saezuru yet.

So I’d stick to the interpretation that Doumeki’s tattoo is Nuwa.

[khakilike]

IMDb's credits call her "Korean traditional fairy" but she looks like an angel to me.

[allgirlsareprincesses]

I am Venus: Folktale Motifs in Queen Charlotte

Adapted from my 2023 Twitter thread

How the love story of George and Charlotte subverts the classic animal bride and groom tales for a new generation:

We begin with clear swan maiden motifs, with Charlotte as the captured bride betrothed against her will. When the dowager princess refuses to allow her to wear the wedding gown she selected, this is stealing the animal skin (or power) of the animal bride.

What’s more, George’s mother insists she wear an English wedding gown. Clothing the bride claims her for the mundane world, separating her from her otherworldly home. In a typical swan maiden tale, she would flee the moment she recovers her stolen skin.

Then comes the first subversion of the tale: George gives her the option to leave, symbolically returning her animal skin and her power. And Charlotte chooses not only to stay, but also to wear her own wedding gown, thus claiming his world as hers.

Next we see Fruit Maiden motifs, as Charlotte is twice prevented from picking her own oranges. In these tales, the prince cuts open two oranges before discovering his true bride in the third. When Charlotte finally picks her own orange, she once again claims her power.

Later, we see hints of Star Lovers. George has already mentioned his interest in astronomy, but now we see his observatory. This fascination with the heavens and his role as monarch suggests that he is a star husband and Charlotte is his mortal bride.

However, Charlotte also originally called him a beast or troll, and as we see more of George’s mental health struggles, we realize that he does indeed see himself as the animal husband, unworthy of his celestial bride.

When she discovers him in the garden calling to Venus, Charlotte explicitly associates herself with the planet and thus with the goddess of the same name. It turns out SHE is the star bride after all, and George is the mortal husband.

In fact, as the king associates more and more with his "Farmer George" persona, even using this knowledge to assist Charlotte in birth, it becomes clear he is the earthly husband, always digging down while gazing up.

He allows himself to be practically buried in the cellar under the doctor's horrible "treatments," and hides under the bed to escape the sight of the heavens. His only light is his wife, descended from the sky of her own choice.

Mythically, the monarch is the conduit between heaven and earth. When Charlotte the Star Bride meets George the Earthly Husband in the middle, two halves become whole, and they are able to rule together.

Swan Maidens, Star Brides, and Fruit Maidens are nearly always captive brides. Their agency is not a factor in most folktales, but Queen Charlotte turns this on its head by making its heroine a goddess, giving her the power and choice to love as she wishes.

This story's thesis is vital in today's world where nothing seems certain: that life is lonely, so if you are fortunate to find your person, you choose to love them even when it's hard and painful. That feminine desire matters at every age. And that love can work miracles.

[hellshire-harlot]

Sing, o daughter of the stars

Whisper what thy eternal eyes have seen

So that we may place them upon our own maps of your realm

Under the glory of full Mother Moon

As Maiden, Mother, and Crone alike

Join arms in midnight mist

To dance between the light of your freckles

And here among them, I write these words

A hand raised in a sea of stars

I cry

“Hello! I am here, I was here!

I lived, in joy and in pain,

And one day I shall die,

But to you who listens,

I send you my earthly love,

And thus farewell.”

My soul now bared, I ask of you

Take me in your arms

And show me all there is to behold

With eyes

So full of wonder

As mine.

[saiyanprincefiregod]

SuperSoilders of the 22nd Century: Ace Maverick Hunters and their Ultimate Forms

Ace Maverick Hunters -Mega Man X(S Rank Veteran Hunter) -Mega Man Zero(S Rank Veteran Hunter) -Axl(A Rank Hunter) -Iris(Medic, Navigator, A Rank Hunter) -Alia(Navigator, A Rank Hunter) -Nana(Medic, Navigator, Rookie B Rank Hunter) -Marino(Rookie A Rank Hunter) -Cinnamon(Rookie Medical Staff, C Rank Hunter) -Ace(A Rank Hunter) -Nina(B Rank Hunter) -Scilla(B Rank Hunter)

[nightflower-stuff]

🌷 Méiguī 🌸

Méiguī loves to stay at the garden & forest by this spring at the afternoon. She would watch everything for her peaceful moment 😌🌸💟🌷

What do you guys think about her & also the lighten glow with my art style (Using the "Add" button on IbispaintX)🙈💗

OC:

Méiguī (My 7th OC)

[samadhifired]

If it actually turns out that Iron Fan, Nezha and Erlang used to have this Celestial Warrior Siblings dynamic... Besides his obvious rivalry with Wukong, I think Erlang's main beef (pun intended) should be with DBK.

Because let's face it; a large majority of what Erlang would probably see as "bad things" that have happened to his siblings are done by or direct results of the Bull King's actions.

Iron Fan's disgrace and "fall from Heaven"? DBK seduced her (plus Erlang would probably think black mail and Stockholm Syndrome are involved)

Creation of Samadhi Fire and Nezha getting stuck with what seemed like eternal 24/7 guard duty? Wouldn't have happened if DBK hadn't sired Red Son or at least controlled his spawn.

Making Iron Fan a single mother and her being left to handle all the demon politics and territorial struggles on her own? Wouldn't have happened if DBK hadn't picked up a fight with Wukong and gotten himself imprisoned (though I do personally believe the Celestial Realms forced Wukong's hand)

Nezha failing his guard duty because Wukong needed the Fire to stop LBD? Again, wouldn't have happened if DBK hadn't released the damn witch the first place.

The death of the Jade Emperor and causing even more disgrace to Nezha? Well... that one wasn't really his fault, but I'm sure Erlang wouldn't hesitate to roll part of the blame on DBK for being a former member of the Brotherhood and failing to stop them when he had a chance.

Is this post just explanation for why my personal head canon of Erlang's personality being summarized as "technically a good guy but definitely an (kinda justified) a-hole" would make so much sense?

Of course!

(Besides, I really, really want to see RS and/or PIF interacting with Celestials)

[incandescentia]

Something something tells me that Renge is actually powerful, but she just hasn't gone through a whole training arc for herself.

[rhythmicreverie]

In distant lands, where time's embrace has worn thin, A soul of ancient origin finds its fate entwined with the fabric of two worlds. In the age of chivalry, knights and maidens dance upon the stage of history, while in the realm of stars, celestial beings weave stories of the cosmos. A transformation takes place, as destiny unites them in a harmonious waltz between past and future. Time's echoes sing their song, bridging realms, forging memories that shall last through the ages.

[pkmn-spira]

"So, about that Safari project of yours-"

"Nature preserve."

"Sure. Tell yourself that." And she crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. "When will it be done?"

"It will be done when I get enough funding, and manpower for it. And besides, I still have to work on the proposal on rebranding Adamantine Town into a City. Can't call it a Town anymore if its improved itself both in size and living conditions."

"You do know that father would be willing to fork out some money to fund that Safari project of-"

"Nature. Preserve."

"... Fine. Nature Preserve project of yours. Father is willing to add some funds into it as thanks to all your help in the SYM Project. An expression of goodwill, so to speak. Besides that, he also finds it a good idea to solve the invasive species issue that has been plaguing Spira for months now."

"Had some asshole Trainers from other regions didn't decide to release their Pokémon out in the wild here, then we wouldn't have to deal with that problem, to begin with." She grumbled. "Fine, I'll accept the funding. Might as well have the grunts act as manpower too. At least those that have legitimate construction worker jobs to have them pass off seamlessly. Already know how persistent your father is on things."

"Good. I'll get going then. To tell him of the good news that you finally accepted his help on this... 'Nature Preserve' of yours."

"Yeah, yeah, now get out. I have work to do."

[keyleth-clay]

Venture Maidens Moodboards: The Dungeon Master

[vtcountrydigital]

This digital rendition of the astrological sign Virgo combines celestial grace with modern digital artistry, featuring the maiden. Use for graphic design, wall art, apparel, dtg printing, arts and crafts.Check out more cool art at our web store - https://www.etsy.com/shop/VTCountryDigital

[wolfvirago]

You hear me? You lost her! You've trapped her in a human body! She'll go mad!

What have you done to me? What've you done to me? I'm a unicorn!

I wish you had let the Red Bull take me. I wish you had left me to the harpy! I can feel this body dying all around me!

Inu Kobayashi was born a kami. She had been a Celestial Maiden, a tennyo, who had come down to the mortal plane with her sisters to bathe in the oceans of Ise.

A mortal man with great sorcerer's power yearned for a daughter more than anything. He cast a spell upon the maiden, stealing her heavenly cloak so she could not return to the Heavens.

Distraught, Inu did her best to hold onto her old life, to try and learn prayer and Shinto related rituals while acting as high priestess/saio of Ise Jingu. She did her job well, but slowly over time began to forget the world of the kami.

This was furthered when meeting a man of the court who wanted to marry her. Inu began to yearn, to love, to feel human things. Her powers dwindled to what only a mortal could handle. Because of this, she would be unable to properly destroy kami that might seek to harm her world.

Inu's humanity and love, her regrets, would lead to the only partial success of the later named Sun Wolf Kagura ritual that sealed the Dark One away. She would be able to return to the Heavens in her death, but would forever be different than her fellow kami.

She had known love and regret, and it had cursed her bloodline.

[allgirlsareprincesses]

Star Lovers in Folk Tales: A Primer

Adapted from my Winter 2022 Twitter thread

One common variation of animal spouse tales is the star husband or star bride. In this case, the lover is a celestial creature from the otherworld of the sky. Sometimes they fall to earth, and other times they beckon a mortal to join them.

Star husband tales are common to North American indigenous cultures, often featuring pairs of maidens who long for more than mortal lovers and so are whisked into the sky to marry star husbands.

In these tales, the mortal brides are compelled to dig, either to find roots or other food on earth, or to escape the sky world. In either case, the digging is a transgressive act, one that triggers the bride’s passage from one world to another.

Another star husband tale comes from Korea, merged with another animal husband tale in which he is banished from the sky by his father, the King of the Stars, cursed to live as a frog in a pond until he can marry the most beautiful woman on Earth.

In this tale we find motifs of the frog consuming all the water and fish in the pond, and the bride cutting away (rather violently) the frog’s animal skin to reveal a handsome man. The happy couple then returns to the sky, and two new stars appear in the heavens.

Star brides have much more in common with swan maidens. Many myths compare the sky to a body of water, and in some tales, celestial beings are actually aquatic creatures as well. These brides are often captured by a mortal hunter or held captive by a mother goddess.

Like the mortal wives of star husbands, star brides often come in groups, like the Pleiades in a South African tale who send their husband on a hunt from which he never returns. Similarly, a group of 10 Hungarian star brides take mortal husbands only to lose them in a war.

In all of these stories, the fall to earth is a kind of death, whereas the ascension is a rebirth or even the achievement of immortality. Water, hunting, and agriculture are prominent in these stories, indicating the importance of celestial patterns to human subsistence.

Obedience or defiance to parental figures is another major theme in star lover tales. While it is defiance that opens the path to the otherworld, the lovers are often punished for it until they show obedience to the parent.

Lastly, while not every star couple gets a Happily Ever After, they usually leave some eternal mark on the earth or sky. The tears of separated star lovers sometimes form fresh springs or even monsoons, bringing new life to the earth.

Sources:

In Search of the Swan Maiden: A Narrative on Folklore and Gender by Barbara Fass Leavy

[saturninemysticthreads]

What's the first word that comes to mind seeing this?

[josephkravis]

Blossoms and Bones: A Ballad