Post by Near on Jan 7, 2007 19:39:46 GMT -5
Some fans have made the conjecture that the Haibane are, actually, children who committed suicide and were reborn into Glie world to atone for their sin. Suicide is a particularly high-profile issue in Japanese society, and some facts could support this hypothesis, like Reki's hallucination in the last episode, or an interpretation of the characters names ("Sleep", sleeping pills or coma; "Light", died in a fire; "Ice Lake", frozen; "River fish", drowning; "Falling", suicide by jumping). ABe disagrees with this interpretation, but he encourages readers and viewers to come to their own conclusions.[citation needed]
A common variation of the above interpretation is the idea that all Haibane were simply children who died before their time; in this case, their names may simply represent the cause of death. Reki and Rakka's black wings and the Washi's reference to their sins are then assumed to be ways of showing that they committed suicide in their past lives. Some proof of this was the trouble both Reki and Rakka had in remembering details of their cocoon dreams. None of the other Haibane mentioned similar troubles.
Both interpretations suggest that the Haibane exist in a world between Heaven and Hell, although other interpretations involving non-Christian concepts are fully possible. Though they bear wings and halos as per occidental angels, the wings are vestigial and turn black if the owner becomes overly depressed. Since Haibane live comparably short "lives" it's possible the truth of how and why their wings might change color is never developed among the Haibane, and the inflicted individuals think it's because of their personal faults or sins. The time between arrival and departure suggests that they are not ready to proceed to their destination due to something they have not learned, experienced, or atoned for. It is superficially similar to the Catholic concept of Purgatory, although unlike it, Haibane stay there permanently if they fail to resolve their issues before the Day of Flight.
Another symbol that could support either theory is the presence of certain animals in Glie. In the animated series, only two types of animals are ever seen within the city walls: crows and cats. Although they weren't actually associated with death or the underworld, cats were revered by some societies, and even mummified after death by the Egyptians. One reason for their presence may be the old "nine lives" tale. Crows hold a much more powerful position in the story; they've long been associated with death. In the movie "The Crow," it is said that crows carry away the souls of the dead. In "Haibane Renmei," the crows are said to bring back objects from the past over the wall—for Rakka, the crows bring back her full dream and a message that she isn't alone.
It is possible to draw a faint, but plausible connection between the birth of a new Haibane and an existing Haibane's Day of Flight. Kuu's Day of Flight arrives shortly after Rakka is born; while Rakka and the others are searching for Kuu in the Western Woods, Reki comments that there has not been a Day of Flight for a long time. The close proximity of Rakka's birth and Kuu's departure implies vaguely that for every Haibane born, another leaves. This is further emphasized later in the series, when Kana comments that Nemu, who is the oldest Haibane at Old Home, has not had her own Day of Flight yet because she is waiting for Reki to go first. After Reki has left, Rakka finds two Haibane seedlings in an abandoned room. This might suggest that Nemu will soon have her own Day of Flight and that the two new Haibane will 'replace' both her and Reki, just as Rakka replaced Kuu.
what do you all think?
A common variation of the above interpretation is the idea that all Haibane were simply children who died before their time; in this case, their names may simply represent the cause of death. Reki and Rakka's black wings and the Washi's reference to their sins are then assumed to be ways of showing that they committed suicide in their past lives. Some proof of this was the trouble both Reki and Rakka had in remembering details of their cocoon dreams. None of the other Haibane mentioned similar troubles.
Both interpretations suggest that the Haibane exist in a world between Heaven and Hell, although other interpretations involving non-Christian concepts are fully possible. Though they bear wings and halos as per occidental angels, the wings are vestigial and turn black if the owner becomes overly depressed. Since Haibane live comparably short "lives" it's possible the truth of how and why their wings might change color is never developed among the Haibane, and the inflicted individuals think it's because of their personal faults or sins. The time between arrival and departure suggests that they are not ready to proceed to their destination due to something they have not learned, experienced, or atoned for. It is superficially similar to the Catholic concept of Purgatory, although unlike it, Haibane stay there permanently if they fail to resolve their issues before the Day of Flight.
Another symbol that could support either theory is the presence of certain animals in Glie. In the animated series, only two types of animals are ever seen within the city walls: crows and cats. Although they weren't actually associated with death or the underworld, cats were revered by some societies, and even mummified after death by the Egyptians. One reason for their presence may be the old "nine lives" tale. Crows hold a much more powerful position in the story; they've long been associated with death. In the movie "The Crow," it is said that crows carry away the souls of the dead. In "Haibane Renmei," the crows are said to bring back objects from the past over the wall—for Rakka, the crows bring back her full dream and a message that she isn't alone.
It is possible to draw a faint, but plausible connection between the birth of a new Haibane and an existing Haibane's Day of Flight. Kuu's Day of Flight arrives shortly after Rakka is born; while Rakka and the others are searching for Kuu in the Western Woods, Reki comments that there has not been a Day of Flight for a long time. The close proximity of Rakka's birth and Kuu's departure implies vaguely that for every Haibane born, another leaves. This is further emphasized later in the series, when Kana comments that Nemu, who is the oldest Haibane at Old Home, has not had her own Day of Flight yet because she is waiting for Reki to go first. After Reki has left, Rakka finds two Haibane seedlings in an abandoned room. This might suggest that Nemu will soon have her own Day of Flight and that the two new Haibane will 'replace' both her and Reki, just as Rakka replaced Kuu.
what do you all think?