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 Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 3:05 pm
I was always a bit confused when "the bird of hermes" kept popping up in the Hellsing manga. I had no idea what it was referring to, so today I looked it up. It turns out to be a section from an exeedingly long poem/prophecy type dealy. Here's a section: The bird of Hermes is my name eating my wings to make me tame
In the sea without lees
Standeth the bird of Hermes
Eating his wings variable
And maketh himself yet full stable
When all his feathers be from him gone
He standeth still here as a stone
Here is now both white and red
And all so the stone to quicken the dead
All and some without fable
Both hard and soft and malleable
Understand now well and right
And thank you God of this sight What other literary allusions are in Hellsing (besides the obvious like Dracula, etc)?
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Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 4:18 pm
The bird of Hermes comes from the Ripley scroll.
The Ripley Scroll is an important 15th century work of emblematic symbolism
In my reading of this I have come a crossed a mans annalists. He finishes with this thought, " There is so much detail in the scrolls' imagery that there is still a long way to go in explaining what lies behind it."
I though this could be a good way for the author to be secretly describing Alucard. Perhaps the author himself is trying to delve into the idea of complex imagery to explain his story. Perhaps Alucard him self is a complex image and that in it's self is why Alucard himself is so perplexed at his own identity.
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Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 7:36 pm
Interesting thoughts, Gorenza. It does make excellent sense.
The prophesy sounds to me a bit like a formula or procedure for an alchemic experiment. They used many strange symbols then to denote elements, reactions, and procedures. Perhaps it relates to how Alucard is something of a fusion of good and evil? Good in that he serves Hellsing and evil in that he is a vampire. Or maybe it relates how the Hellsing line used magic and alchemy to increase his power? Or, more simply, maybe the procedure outlines a reaction that somewhat resembles Alucard's past, future, and/or personality?
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Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 5:21 pm
I love that line!!!!
The bird of Hermes is my name eating my wings to make me tame.
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Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 5:48 pm
Nothing could describe Alucard more than the Bird of Hermes. 3nodding
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Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 7:08 am
I think i remember the bird of hermes being a messenger for a greek god or something to that effect
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Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 1:20 pm
I agree that Hermes was the messenger. He had winged saddles but I have never heard of him referred to as a bird.
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Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 4:07 pm
Gorenza I agree that Hermes was the messenger. He had winged saddles but I have never heard of him referred to as a bird.
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Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 4:16 pm
Angel_Of_Hellfire Gorenza I agree that Hermes was the messenger. He had winged saddles but I have never heard of him referred to as a bird. Probably so... 3nodding Haha, saddles...xD <-- easily amused
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Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 4:17 pm
a[lunie]card Angel_Of_Hellfire Gorenza I agree that Hermes was the messenger. He had winged saddles but I have never heard of him referred to as a bird. Probably so... 3nodding Haha, saddles...xD <-- easily amused
Something interesting I just thought of:
Alucard has, on many occasions, come back from what would kill a normal vampire. I know he has been modified, but what if it had something to do not only with science (alchemy, dark arts) but also religion? What if, through all those modifications, he has become a 'messanger of god' himself? Or perhaps is even seeking redemption? I mean, most that I've talked to who have seen the anime will concur that it sure seems to be the power of God that brings him back... granted, it is channeled through the sigils through Hellsing and specifially Integra, being the Hellsing head... he didn't have this power until she opened his final level of power. Your thoughts?
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Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 6:53 pm
Angel_Of_Hellfire No worries. I am easily amused as well.
Something interesting I just thought of:
Alucard has, on many occasions, come back from what would kill a normal vampire. I know he has been modified, but what if it had something to do not only with science (alchemy, dark arts) but also religion? What if, through all those modifications, he has become a 'messanger of god' himself? Or perhaps is even seeking redemption? I mean, most that I've talked to who have seen the anime will concur that it sure seems to be the power of God that brings him back... granted, it is channeled through the sigils through Hellsing and specifially Integra, being the Hellsing head... he didn't have this power until she opened his final level of power. Your thoughts? I've always assumed there was some sort of "Bible Magic" or holy power involved. After all, the Hellsing are Protestant, so why would they use only occult powers? A messenger of God, that's a good point. It makes the most sense. And he's made himself tame for redemption perhaps? Sounds pretty good.
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Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 7:38 pm
Ace of Death Angel_Of_Hellfire No worries. I am easily amused as well.
Something interesting I just thought of:
Alucard has, on many occasions, come back from what would kill a normal vampire. I know he has been modified, but what if it had something to do not only with science (alchemy, dark arts) but also religion? What if, through all those modifications, he has become a 'messanger of god' himself? Or perhaps is even seeking redemption? I mean, most that I've talked to who have seen the anime will concur that it sure seems to be the power of God that brings him back... granted, it is channeled through the sigils through Hellsing and specifially Integra, being the Hellsing head... he didn't have this power until she opened his final level of power. Your thoughts? I've always assumed there was some sort of "Bible Magic" or holy power involved. After all, the Hellsing are Protestant, so why would they use only occult powers? A messenger of God, that's a good point. It makes the most sense. And he's made himself tame for redemption perhaps? Sounds pretty good. Ohhh, and the "wings" are symbolic of freedom! eek ...I was supposed to have caught on to that a LOOOOOONG time ago, wasn't I? stare *shrinks back into corner* <<;;;;;;;;;;;;;
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Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 8:03 pm
to me thats the best phrase in anime it stands out
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 1:20 pm
In the peice of the poem that was chosen.
The bird of Hermes is my name eat my wings to make me tame.
If we where to assume that wings where to symbolize freedom than eating it would assume taking it away. So in the service of Integra Alucard has no freedom and is there for tame.
So can we then say this.
The bird of Hermes is my name
(I am the messenger of god)
Eat my wings
( Take my freedom)
To make me tame
(So that I may serve you)
I am going to take it one step further so forgive me if it is a stretch.
Dracula's past is one of Sin.
This caused his curse.
So the name represents forsaking god.
So to invert the name would possibly mean the opposite.
So this would make him the messenger of god?
Certainly his new name allows the idea that Dracula has a second chance.
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Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 10:54 am
Wow, I guess I found the ripley scroll thing kinda late. xd Its cool how the Bird of Hermes is related to alchemy.
Forgive me for getting off topic but:
In The Fullmetal Alchemist manga a homunculus's heart is the philosphers stone.
When all his feathers be from him gone
He standeth still here as a stone
To me, thats saying that a part of the Bird of Hermes (possibly his heart) is the stone. If we follow what the FMA manga says, does that make the bird of Hermes a homunculus? In a way, Alucard reminds me of one.
He can't die, well not easily.
He can change forms (Envy)
And he uses his hand to plunge straight through peoples chests. (Lust)
I know this isn't really true, its just the anime interpretation, but I still see it as that.
(PS: a homunculus is an atrificial human. According to FMA when someone tries to use alchemy to bring back the dead, a homunculous is born.)
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