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Totems in Rayearth
The following essay was written by Fae Vision (site: http://www.mythecaria.net)
And is reprinted here with her permission.
There is more than one occasion where the symbolism of character attributes in Magic Knight Rayearth has been misenterpreted.
Indeed, these complex characters are often assigned gender-based roles by certain viewers, insistent that the more softly-drawn and
portrayed male characters are meant to represent the female in a male-male couple, or that the stronger female character is
thought to be the masculine half of a lesbian couple. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Within Rayearth, characters are
assigned not gender-based traits, but rather those of animals, per Shinto religion. CLAMP in particular draws heavily from native
Japanese belief, and often displays a fondness for non-human creatures. This manifests in many ways, from the presence of the
unidentifiable Mokona to Hikaru Shidou's animal communication skills and dream of becoming a seeing-eye dog trainer. In Rayearth
especially, certain characters are deliberately assigned animal 'totems' to convey their personality and placement within the story.
The most prominent role of these animal 'totems' is the mashin/Rune Gods, which take on the forms of a bird for the wind element
(Windam), a dragon for that of water (Celes), and a wolf for fire (Rayearth) respectively. Yet the characters who bond with these
beings and control their corresponding element -Fuu Ho'ouji, Umi Ryuuzaki, and Hikaru Shidou- display characteristics attributed to
these animals. Hikaru's tomboyishness and cunning are not random traits: they are the attributes of her wolfish 'totem'. Additional
traits may be added for emphasis as a secondary 'totem', such as Hikaru's cat ears and tail. This is done so that the viewer will
understand her 'cuteness' factor, drawing from the 'cat of good fortune' often displayed in businesses such as restaurants for luck.
Yet it is not only the three Magic Knights who are assigned animal 'totems.' Eagle Vision, a character assumed to take on a feminine
role, is an excellent example. His delicate appearance, poise, grace, as well as 'softer' manner of behaviour and speech are assumed
to mark him as a feminine character. Yet what is commonly overlooked are that these are also the traits assigned to the very animal
from which he draws his name: the eagle. His name was by no means a randomly-chosen automobile label. Note the colour of his
eyes: gold. A rare colour for a human, but it is the natural eye pigment of the various breeds of eagles. Moreover, his slender build
conceals both great skill and strength, much like the territorial white-tailed sea eagles which populate the coasts of Hokkaido. Their
coloring is, incidentally, the same shade as Eagle's hair.
The animal characteristics of Kailu Lantis are much more difficult to pinpoint. However, there is a telling moment when Hikaru
justifies her confidence in him: "His eyes are lonely. They remind me of wolves in the winter." In other words, he and the Magic
Knight of Fire both share the same 'totem', the wolf. These are creatures who live in close-knit familial units; wolves are social
animals. (to re-emphasize, Hikaru is one of the most amiable and social of all Rayearth characters.) It appears that while Lantis is
alone most of the time, he is extremely unhappy that way, almost as if he is out of his element. All his social attachments have been
cut off; his brother Zagato was deceased, his friend Eagle on the opposing side of a war, his former acquaintances in Cephiro
mistrustful of him. It is within a fellow 'wolf spirit' that he finds unconditional acceptance, and like any wolf, he is fiercely protective of
his adopted 'family'.
This in turn lends to the conflict between the two men. While one is defending his home, the other seeks to claim it. Both possess
totems of animals who are extremely territorial in nature; in essence, this is a battle for territory. What is especially noteworthy is
that this aggression over land is a decidedly masculine trait. Within the animal kingdom, the males of a particular species fight one
another over their claims, be it land or a mate. In Rayearth, it is a pure conflict over territory. And as with the animals who fight for
dominion, it is not a struggle fought in anger.
While the use of Shinto symbolism is not exclusive to Magic Knight Rayearth or even CLAMP, the employment of such 'totems' is a
prominent vehicle by which its characters are understood. With a reasonable working knowledge of Japanese shamanism and
animism, a viewer can identify not only a given character's personality, but his or her placement within the story.