#lumenflowers

[fantomette22]

thank you for responding and allowing requests! i wanted to please ask if you would be okay to draw gehrman and maria gathering lumenflowers?

There you go anon!! 🌻🌻🌻🌻

I said it earlier but it’s absolutely an adorable idea 🥹 You could have just come into my dm and ask me i would have done it no problem! Thank you for asking i was waiting for such an occasion! ❤️

And have some headcanons about them and the lumenflowers as a bonus :

Ok so i imagined that pthumerians probably used to grow them before but you can’t find those flowers in Yharnam anymore.

Maria’s pendant represent of course a lumenflower and she had a rare dry up specimen.

At some point the old hunters & healing church went to Loran for research purpose (for me the surface of Loran is very similar to the nightmare frontier) And in some caves they finally found them, The lumenflowers 🌻✨

At least Maria found them and was just so freaking happy. She screamed so strongly that it worried everyone at first 😅

Gehrman was just half concerned because it sounded more like a « i’m surprised type of scream » rather than a « i’m in danger type of scream ». But yeah she’s fine she just find our precious and rare kin flowers that grow in the dark and glow x)

If she wasn't at the camp or in the underground catacombs (chalice dungeon) she went into the small caves + accompany Caryll & Rom who tested things with the augurs and the flowers.

When they came back to Yharnam, they took some lumenflowers back with them. Like I drew here. They hoped to be able to cultivate them. (Because it's link with the great ones etc. That was before the hamlet too)

It was a project that mostly Maria & Gehrman did together. As Maria have lot of theoretical knowledge on plants and Gehrman have lots of practical one! (they already did that at Byrgenwerth XD Gehrman was a groundskeeper. One of his activity was planting flowers yes XD and after meeting Maria she gave him advices on the timing of when each species will bloom so it would create even prettier flowerbeds. He taught her about medicinal plants too).

I mean those two planted the workshop's flowers and some little trees as well.

After it work out and many plants grew and survived, they put them in what will become the research hall/ orphanage

What about the huge lumen flowers in front of the astral clocktower? Euh... idk Maria tried something I guess 😅 I suppose corpses getting buried at their foot had some effect...

If some lumenflowers remained at the workshop/ other places than the research hall, after Maria passing, Gehrman didn't keep them growing at those places.

[katyahina]

This is such a great way to describe this distinction! I did not know about astronomical terms 'redshift' and 'blueshift' before, and they are incredibly fitting! I mean, the whole astral bodies and space theme!! Bloodmoon and 'pale' moon are essentially the same thing - bloodmoon is simply 'pale' moon that sipped enough blood to become red! It can become red through bloodspill of the hunt, or, more evidently - through cursed sacrifices (Mensis, Pthumerian civilization), so by distancing from the 'cosmos', that is associated with evolution and transcending humanity's vices. Meanwhile, blood of the 'holy' Kin of the cosmos is devoid of red too:

This is from datamined internal names page ( x ), you can see the 'stars' are connected with the Moon. The 'cursed' Amygdalas that hang out with mortals more and demand sacrifices bleed red, implying their cut ties with the 'Moon'. Ebrietas cries red bloody tears, implying that her grief draws her further from the cosmos and closer to us mortals (very sweet detail). Rom bleeds red from her body and her head bleeds 'grey' when you fight her in the lake, but in her dungeon version her head bleeds red too, implying that only in the lake she is connected to the Moon (no wonder, since she is concealing it...). You see, everything you said falls into place perfectly!

On the other hand, 'pale' moon seems to be associated with color cyan/aqua (Ludwig's Holy MOONlight sword and Guidance rune), that is polar opposite color of red - however, I think calling it blue still works! It doesn't really clash much as in either case what is implied is wastly contrasting color.

Also I wanted to add some screenshots I think you might like:

These flowers grow in Nightmare Frontier, in the caves! They're easy to dismiss because it IS the area where you have to run from Winter Lanterns as fast as you can, but you can see striking resemblance with the sunflower - something that applies to both Coldblood Flowers and Lumenflowers! They glow like Coldblood ones but are lacking... well, blood x) I think this is fair, as this place must be very close to the cosmos.

Then, in Research Hall, we can find a corpse with a Lumenflower growing nearby, but interestingly, from the floor - without any ground! Maybe these flowers can feed off blood just the same as Coldblood ones? But again, this one would not be bloody, since the patients do not really die in traditional sense for humans.. They transcend their humanity, they're closer to the cosmos!

Anyways, sorry for the rambling in the addition, I really wanted this theory in this blog too because it is just such a great way to put it. It only makes sense that both Coldblood Flowers and Lumenflowers are, essentially, two sides of the same coin... I mean, remember that the name of the deity that governs the world (until Hunter kicks her ass) is LITERALLY named Flora :')

Hey, @wikipedianna you asked about my Coldblood flowers theory, so I thought I’d make a little post for them!! <3

So, I feel like FromSoftware has a habit of taking biological phenomena in nature and either personifying it or treating it like a magical element. For the flowers in Bloodborne, there seems to also be this trend.

Coldblood flowers themselves are inspired by a real world bloom if we go by the Japanese text.

Here are the descriptions—

“The pale vegetation is said to bud within deadblood in abandoned places. However, when its large petals have opened, it is a pure red higan flower.“

Higan flower is likely a reference to my very own beloved Lycoris Radiata, or the Red Spider Lily. In Japanese, they are called higanbana, literally meaning “flower of higan.” Higan is a Buddhist holiday for the autumnal equinox.

Spider Lilies can also be called corpse flowers or equinox flowers. They are very popular in East Asia, particularly Japan, and are often cultivated there by locals. These flowers bear their deathly names because they bloom primarily in autumn, usually in response to heavy rainfall.

They have also been planted on the graves of ancestors by Buddhists in order to pay respect to the deceased and to celebrate the advent of autumn, hence the further association with death. To add to the identity of these flowers, the link they have with cemeteries and the autumnal equinox inspired writings in the Lotus Sutra (famous Buddhist sutra) that described the flowers as being ominous plants that grow in Hell, eventually guiding the dead to their next reincarnation.

So, what do these death flowers have to do with deadblood flowers? Well, I think it’s worth noting that visible distinction we can see between the Japanese and English when referring to the Coldblood medium. It is called “dead blood” in Japanese, further clarifying that it’s meant to be corpse blood.

It makes sense that we can extract the dying wills of the fallen from this type of blood, and it also feels like Bloodborne’s equivalent of collecting souls from the dead like we did in Dark Souls. It appears to be a theme in Soulsborne that the soul is in the blood, and so when we extract the souls/blood from those who have passed on, we absorb part of their essence.

So, now we have these flowers that bloom from dead blood in abandoned places. Seems reasonable enough. I think that’s why they are so prominent in the Chalice Dungeons, places that have been long-lost. They are also dropped by Loran Clerics, which would make even more sense, because Loran is notably a lost civilization.

But that’s where my theory comes in, because I suspect it may also have to do with the cosmos and the Great Ones.

In Bloodborne the connection between Lumenflowers and the cosmos seems to be heavily implied. Lumenflowers or Starflowers, as they’re called in the Japanese, seem to provide aid in cosmic ascension. This idea comes from the Milkweed/Seedbed Rune.

The Japanese description follows—

The Caryll rune of "Seedbed." Become a Starflower stem that houses phantasms. A Caryll rune borne by the laboratory patient Adeline. It is a phonetic representation of damp sounds, whispered by inhuman voices.

It divinely reveals the way to attend the stars. Those bound to it become a starflower stem that aims toward the sky. As a Seedbed, phantasms become able to dwell inside you. Phantasms guide, perhaps they will bring even more discoveries.

When you become a seedbed or a Starflower stem, you become a host for phantasms that guide towards further ascension. The flowers literally connect you to the stars.

So, now my theory about Starflowers and Deadblood flowers is based around the concept of redshift and blueshift, mostly figuratively, but perhaps also literally?

To sum up what I mean, I think the blossoming of either of these flowers indicate how close or far away the cosmos/cosmic beings are to the earth and its inhabitants. When they draw nearer, the starflowers bloom (perhaps even with an intentional blueish hue like we see in the art above), and when the cosmos abandons a place, the dead flowers bloom with their red-stained petals. This is why i call it the redshift/blueshift theory, because here is the definition of the phenomena.

Redshift and blueshift describe the change in the frequency of a light wave depending on whether an object is moving towards or away from us. When an object is moving away from us, the light from the object is known as redshift, and when an object is moving towards us, the light from the object is known as blueshift.

It’s how astronomers determine things like if a star or planet is moving away or towards us. Redshift is a big part of the reason why we believe the Universe is expanding. We can see the red light in the distance.

So, in Bloodborne’s world…where the cosmos and its movement can be associated with the Great Ones, I suspect that the two flowers I’m analyzing might be connected to that. I mean, a Loran Cleric dropping a Deadblood flower in the depths of the Chalice Dungeons may not seem too significant, but it would make so much sense that the corpse flowers were blooming in the ruins of the places long-since punished and left behind by the Great Ones.

I think the inhabitants of both Loran and Pthumeru lost their ties to Greater Beings, hence why they were ruined by the beast scourge and their civilizations were lost. Now the Deadflowers bloom in red, marking the death and loss of divine favor. The cosmos moved away.

Meanwhile, the Starflowers are blooming in the shade of night under the stars, aiding patients like Adeline in ascension. They are everywhere, likely planted by the cosmos-obsessed Choir, who clearly figured out quite a bit about divine communication. Even the Living Failures are fought in a field of Starflowers and in the shade of an Astral Clocktower, with the Failures being able to call the stars to their aid. I think the symbolism is all there.

When the cosmos draws near, the Starflowers bloom. When it draws away, the Deadblood flowers bloom.

Redshift and Blueshift!

—

That’s the theory, haha. Short and simple, but it got stuck in my head a little while back when I discovered that the Deadblood flowers are called Higan Flowers in the Japanese. I adore the Red Spider Lily as a flower, so I got really excited about the connection. This theory is also so fun for me because…botany and astronomy are just such fun topics for me to explore, so I love it when I can apply them to Bloodborne. Miyazaki has such a habit of incorporating concepts from the two fields into his games anyway, so I’m always looking for the connections. I’m glad you were curious, because now I had an excuse to go full nerd and make a post for these tiny details, haha.

Thanks for your interest, friend!

[the-celestial-clinic]

…So the Healing Church did follow you here. And a member of the Choir, at that…

To the one calling herself by a name that is not hers: your petty attempts at ‘ascension’ will not work. They never have before. Committing the same crimes and anticipating different results is, after all, the definition of insanity.

Though I rather expect you would take that as a compliment.

Know, false one, that you are being watched. And that you only remain alive so long as the good doctor remains connected to you.

Should that ever change?

Start running.

(@lumenflowered)

Ah. Is this truly the famous Lady Maria?

You know her?

Only by name. She worked at the Healing Church, you know— in the research hall. But that was long before either of our times. If the rumors are true, apparently she was an ex-Hunter full of shame and turned to the Church after throwing her weapon away...

Of course, they're merely rumors.

You, Lady Maria, are from a time long past, and I suspect there is some sort of imbalance within time given the existence of this... multiverse. Advancements can and have been made.

Be a dear and get yourself unstuck from the past. I might even be able to convince the Church to take you back.

She has no intent of going back there, and I do not blame her.

[blood-starved-beast]

A lot of mariadeline fics have Adeline be the one to die first. Which yeah, makes sense that Maria would kill herself after major tether to this Earth perishes. But consider!! The tragedy of Maria killing herself before Adeline dies.

Lady Maria always prioritizes herself (and how own issues/faults) to the detriment to her understanding of others. I'd argue this is why she never notices Gehrman's mania despite it being pretty obvious (I doubt the Doll was the first time he pulled such an act.) I wouldn't be surprised, therefore, that she in her overwhelming guilt and shame over her own actions, she forgets the connections she does have on Earth and the people who would miss her when she's gone.

Idk, this was inspired by how in the Hunter's Nightmare, when you first encounter Saint Adeline she asks if you were Maria, but climbing the Clocktower Maria is currently dead (until she is Not). More likely, the fics are right but again, it's a fun tragic fanfic concept to explore.

[prayers-to-hyliarceus]

...Are you alright? Either of you?

(@lumenflowered)

Hm? I'm alright.

I'm fine! I'm fine.

Do you need a moment, little bird?

Per—Perhaps?

Give me a moment, actually.

[faller-fears]

...I expected better of you.

(@lumenflowered)

I was only trying to help. I thought that if I didn't do something like that, then someone who actually meant them harm would. I didn't- I didn't realize it would hurt them.

[tacklrnews]

Team Rocket Leader Giovanni Killed

(TW death and blood mentions.)

One of the many Giovanni's across the multiverse has died, after an altercation with Maria of @lumenflowered.

According to an audio recording of the incident, after a standard battle with Maria, Giovanni let out a seventh Pokemon, a Rhyperior. Said Rhyperior proceeded to turn on Giovanni, and eviscerate him.

Maria has stated that there was "more blood than the human body could feasibly lose without bodily functions shutting down," so death is all but certain.

This Giovanni has previously attempted to murder his own daughter, Silver. He would have succeeded, if not for the Ho-oh of that universe reviving Silver.

Maria is scheduled to become Johto Champion of that universe soon. Time will tell how this incident will affect her position.

[the-stonekeeper]

That is NOT how trainer etiquette is unless you intend to be unfathomably rude. While it is customary for eye contact between trainers to lead to a battle, you are always permitted to turn said battle down.

...Unless it is different in Hoenn. If it is, I shall add that to the ever-growing list of reasons I have no particular desire to ever visit.

(@lumenflowered)

i mean unless a trainer's pokemon Cannot Battle for any reason then it kinda is? or at least it's so normalized that people just kinda expect it

...Does that mean I'll have to use the Stone to make sure they don't force me to battle.

That would be interesting to watch.

Do Not Do That

um. yeah i forgor being a Faller makes things different. just let them know maybe. either that or i can battle for you.

but honestly entirely fair to not wanna visit Hoenn. a lotta stuff goes down here :P

oh wait it's you Maria! hi can you say hello to Ade for me

[wingsofachampion]

You claim to be respectful.

You claim to be merely following tradition.

This world is not yours, but in this context that matters little. Traditions become traditions for many reasons, but the first and foremost of them is because they benefit those who follow them.

Imposing your tradition upon others has been nothing but a detriment to them. You are, of course, free to do as you like—but you are not free to impose those things upon others whom you know nothing of.

With that said,

think fast.

Pelipper Mail for Aurorus! Sacred Fire.

...But it is nothing more than an illusion, a fact that becomes apparent if and only if the move would make contact.

(@lumenflowered)

This is why I follow the Regis, and not Ho-oh.

[goldenrodchef]

Good evening, Gen. I sincerely apologize if I am interrupting anything, but your remarks regarding Voltorb Flip have been bothering me.

You mentioned something along the lines of... something not being the man who runs the game's fault. What did you mean by that? The game is most certainly luck-based, but not to the point where it is outright unfair, and I do enjoy the risk.

(@lumenflowered)

Oh. Um. Well.

It's, uh. A long story.

...but the short of it is that, uh.

...I used to work part-time at the Goldenrod Game Corner on weekends.

[smeargledshades]

Hi, my day's been all over the place, but at least I have coffee (and I'm working on a digital painting of the skyline).

How are y'all? Any cute Pokemon stories?

[fantomette22]

Lady Maria framed photograph

The old hunters considerably assisted Byrgenwerth and the newly founded Healing Church with their researches and expeditions in Loran.

In the caves of this desolate region they found the lumenflowers. Legendary and forgotten species of plants, greatly appreciated by the Kins, phantasms and a few Great Ones.

They bring them back to Yharnam in order to attend Communion. With a lot of patience and many efforts, they finally managed to grow the delicate flowers in the heart of the city.

It is said to have been Lady Maria's favorite.

[divebynihgt-blog]

[the-celestial-clinic]

Hello. I, ah… you are a doctor, yes? A Yharnam doctor?

…I believe I’m one of the “ex-Hunters” mentioned to you. My name is Maria; whether or not it will be a pleasure to meet you depends rather significantly on if that name means anything to you or not.

(@lumenflowered)

I am indeed a doctor. I did not originally hail from Yharnam, but I moved there a little while after receiving my medical degree and I've lived there for several years.

Hm... No, I don't believe I've ever heard of that name before. I don't usually receive ex-Hunters at my clinic, regardless.

I am not sure why that would determine if it would be a pleasure to meet you or not? You seem like a pleasant person— but I understand if there are, well, pieces of your past you would rather not disclose.

[blood-starved-beast]

Me talking with a friend on another platform: Hey so the Hunter's Nightmare has a lot of Kleinian Psychodynamic theory.

For those who are curious, this is Object-Relations theory. This theory is a lot darker than Freud's theory, and it concerns itself with death and separation - the child upon birth is separated from the mother for example. Melanie Klein, the founder of the theory, argued that interpersonal relationships shaped early child development, not biological drives as Freud posited. Children early in development develop phantasies (different from older children and adults' fantasies) which are psychic manifestations of the id (yes the very same of Freud) manifesting in anxieties.

Like everything about the Orphan of Kos and Mother Kos is just, weeping with imagery relative to the Depressive Position of Kleinian theory. This position (basically a Stage of development equivalent) is concerned with the concept of mourning, specifically the stage of mourning that comes from the child being separated from the mother. The Orphan as we know, is separated from Kos when they rip them out from her womb (after the first separation that is when she died) and experimented on. The Orphan spends their time in the Nightmare mourning the lost of their mom - they rip themselves out from Kos's womb and the first thing they do is cry, but not like a newborn no, but out of grief.

And that's not going into Projective Identification defense Mechanism. One could argue the Orphan manifesting this whole dream is essentially a form of this. So Projective Identification is when you project a part of your self-image (like projection yes) onto others. However, the boundary between the person doing the project and the objectee blurs and the person can make the objectee feel the same feelings and actions they do. Usually the same pain and rage and frustration. We see this in the blood drunk Hunters, who've gone mad and attack at the player Hunter any chance they've got. The Orphan too, takes out their frustrations on the Hunter at the first provocation. But the largest example of this has to be Lady Maria, the linchpin holding the secret of the nightmare. She too, mourns the corpse, the corpse that is Kos and her actions that led to the Hamlet. So much that she attacks you the Hunter, under the guise of saving you but most importantly, to protect that secret (and the Orphan).

There is so much more I can go into that. Splitting (an aspect of the Paranoid-Schzoid Position) is a means to protect from trauma. The child splits their negative feelings away from them and onto others - in adults this is projection. Again, I don't have to explain how this relates to the Hunters in the dream.

[prayers-to-hyliarceus]

🕯️ for @lumenflowered

Oh Goddess, Maria. Sometimes she still scares me, but more in the way that her actions are... certainly something, on occasion. I think one of the most terrifying things that she did in recent memory was writing that four thousand word essay analyzing Father’s parenting flaws. That was. Something. It also put a lot of things into perspective that I don’t know if I was ready for it to be.

Also, she is a very respectable warrior. And she likes women. That’s a win in my book.

i wanna duel her sometime :)