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fiorelabeleng · 3 years

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soterianyx’s Analysis and Interpretation of Riza Hawkeye’s Tattoo from Fullmetal Alchemist

So I’ve decided to do a small analysis on the tattoo Riza Hawkeye wears on her back, as a supplement to my little ongoing fanfiction Hawkeye and the General. This will definitely come up in later chapters, so any of my readers might want to take a look here. Latin is one of my specialties in college, and when I saw that a full depiction of Riza’s tattoo had been drawn out with Latin text, I jumped on it like no other. (This is a fucking long ass post but I hope it makes sense.) Please enjoy! :)

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First Section – Area Between the Tails of the Two Serpents As Roy reads from left to right and top to bottom (going off of the anime Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood), this is most likely the first thing he would have chosen to begin deciphering. Starting at the second line of this section (I’ll come back to the first line later), the Latin inscription is a part of a poem by Flumen Viride, called “The Rites - Four Elements: Earth, Fire, Air, Water.” The part in Riza’s tattoo addresses the element of Fire, obviously. The poem in Latin reads thus (words in brackets are not included in the tattoo): salve spiritus ignis: in flamma cerei te video doce mihi intellegere vis ignis vindica me et alteros ab morte in flammis [noli adiuvare hos incendarios] - incendium dolosum delictum grave est cohabitemus placide, fove me in frigore, da mihi lucem me in obscuritate spiritus ignis, [te saluto et tibi gratias ago.]

Translation (as accurate as I could get): Greetings spirit of fire: I see you in the flame of a candle Teach me to understand the strength of fire Avenge me and others by death in flames [Do not help these arsonists] - deceitful arson is a serious crime Let us dwell together in peace, warm me in the cold, give me light in the darkness Spirit of fire, [I wish you well and thank you]

Analysis: The very first line Igni Natura Renovatur Integra, has Christian implications, since the acronym might read “INRI” (or Iesu Nazarinus Rex Iudorem, meaning “Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews”), but considering this manga has absolutely nothing to do with Jesus of Nazareth himself, it must have something to do with alchemy. By doing a little research I found that “INRI” has many different meanings in the alchemical world: Ignem Natura Regenerate Integrat (nature renews fire by regeneration) and Igni Natura Renovatur Integra (nature is completely renewed with fire) are a couple translations.

So this first section is merely a salutation to Fire, as if Master Berthold Hawkeye were addressing the element as a person. It seems that he is asking permission to utilize its strengths and services before he “messes” with its integrity by using it for alchemical purposes. Not that much going on here.

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Second Section – Upper Left Quadrant Around Main Circle From now on I’ll begin with the Latin inscription and its translation, and then move onto the analysis.

Latin: Cuantum indissolubilis qualitas reverto EaequalMC2 MmC2aequal MmC2 et ½ MoV2 Deuterio et deuterio —> He et neut Deuterio et deuterio —> tritio et hidrogeno Deuterio et tritio —> He et neut

Translation: How much of an indestructible quality can be returned? E = MC2 MmC2 = MmC2 + 1/2MoV2 Deuterium + deuterium —> helium + neutron Deuterium + deuterium —> tritium + hydrogen Deuterium + tritium —> helium + neutron

Analysis: This section deals mainly with physics and chemistry. The second line denotes some famous equations: the first is Albert Einstein’s mass-energy equivalence theorem, and the second seems to be a relationship between the Einstein’s theorem and the kinetic energy of a mass (M) with a moving speed (V), or the equation E = 1/2mv2. However, these two equations are not really related, even though they have some of the same components (MC2); Einstein’s equation expresses the amount of energy in a particular mass, and the second equation (E = 1/2mv2) expresses kinetic energy (or the energy of motion). I’m not really sure why these two are equated with each other, but it might have been a speculation on Master Hawkeye’s part.

The last three lines are the simplest reactions for manmade nuclear fusion (which would make sense, since Roy is able to create large, but controlled, explosions through his alchemy). By combining a molecule of deuterium (an isotope of hydrogen) with another molecule of deuterium, the product would be a molecule of helium plus an extra neutron. The same principle works for the other two equations (tritium is also an isotope of hydrogen).

Master Hawkeye was indeed a master in his trade if he was able to figure out nuclear fusion (a really touchy subject in physics). In case you don’t know, nuclear fusion is a reaction when two or more atomic nuclei collide at a high velocity and conjoin to form a new atomic nucleus (kind of like chemistry addition); these reactions mostly take place in stars. These equations provide the basics to the huge spontaneous release of energy, ignition, which Flame Alchemy solely relies on, and anyone who has knowledge of these equations has the ability to ultimately produce something as powerful as a hydrogen bomb. This is probably why this part of the tattoo is the most burned away, as Roy decided to destroy only the most vital parts to Flame Alchemy, and not the entire thing.

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Third Section – Lower Left Quadrant Around Main Circle Latin: Caloris fluxus in vultus rectus Partium calidus in partium frigus secundum

Translation: The flow of heat in the face is guided Through a hot region into a second cold region

Analysis: This is the second of the Four Laws of Thermodynamics. Thermodynamic equilibrium states that heat (as in temperature) must flow from hotter regions to colder regions, and that because this is a natural process, it is irreversible.

Again, this section seems to be mostly burned away too, and I’m guessing it’s for ignition purposes as well; you cannot expect a large release of energy from something hot that has been forced into a region of something hotter (such as a burning coal thrust into a fire), as you would if something cold were placed in something hot, like liquid water coming into contact with hot oil. Here the temperature difference is so great that the hot oil causes the water to quickly change phase to steam while still mixing with the oil, and the steam bubbles expand in the oil, causing those snaps and pops we hear (and making a goddamn freaking mess everywhere).

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Fourth Section – Upper Right Quadrant Around Main Circle Latin: Ignis motio celeris subitas Ob cam motio calor vis viva est Caloris aequal Δcalor divisio MΔCronos Caloris motus est non flogiston

Translation: The sudden swift movement of fire Strong heat lives because of movement Heat = Δheat/mass of an object ΔCronos Movement of heat is not due to a phlogiston

Analysis: This section is a little complex, so bear with me a moment (if there’s one thing I hate with a burning passion, it’s fucking physics. goddamn). We can disregard the first two lines since they seem to be detailing kinetic energy (of which heat is sometimes a byproduct), but the third line corresponds to theories on molar heat capacity: molar heat capacity = (amount of heat transferred to another object) / [(molar mass)x(the change in temperature of the object)]. The fourth line refers to the phlogiston theory, which is now considered obsolete. In the 17th century, a phlogiston was described as a molecule possessing fire-like capabilities and able to be released during combustion.

Master Hawkeye seems to know his stuff! Heat is definitely not moved around by microscopic flaming balls of fire in your tea or coffee, but rather follows the Second Law of Thermodynamics (stated above) by natural process.

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Fifth Section – Lower Right Quadrant Around Main Circle Latin: Non delenda non creada lux est Et mutantur proprium Lux natura est lex primus

Translation: Energy can neither be destroyed nor created But its properties can be changed Light is the first law of nature

Analysis: This is the first of the Four Laws of Thermodynamics, which is probably the most complex as it covers many different principles: 1. The law of conservation of energy (energy cannot be created or destroyed, but rather, changes as it flows from one region to another); 2. Temperature and its relationship to energy (a system in motion has kinetic energy, a system with a force field such as gravity has potential energy); 3. The process of moving energy in and out of a system is called work; 4. Heat flow is energy transfer.

The first principle stated above is what is transcribed in the tattoo, and is probably the most fundamental. This is also one of the driving forces behind alchemy’s concept of Equivalent Exchange: something of equal value must be lost or destroyed in order to obtain or create something; in other words, alchemists must learn to evaluate the world around them and make good judgments based off of what the earth has supplied them with in order to “create.” As alchemists themselves, Master Hawkeye and Roy would have known this law by heart, and it would not have been necessary for Roy to destroy this part of the tattoo.

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Sixth Section – Semicircle Below Main Circle Latin: Totus est in armis idem quando nudus est Amor Cras amet qui numquam amavit quique amavit cras amet Perdidi Musam tacendo nec me Phoebus respicit Sic Amyclas cum tacerent perdidit silentium Veniam peto

Translation: Love is as completely mighty as he is naked Let him love tomorrow who has never loved, and let him who has loved love tomorrow I lost my Muse by being silent and Phoebus does not care for me This silence destroyed Amyclae when they were silent I apologize

Analysis: The first four lines are an excerpt from the poem Pervigilium Veneris (The Vigil of Venus), credited to the 4th century poet Tiberianus. The poem supposedly describes the beauty of springtime, during which various flora and fauna bloom and awake from hibernation; and though this has absolutely nothing to do with alchemy, it might have to do with Master Hawkeye’s character and personality, and his (seemingly) estranged relationship with his daughter. We all know that he was a very eccentric man, preferring to devote most of his time to perfecting his research and letting his home dilapidate; we don’t know much about Riza’s relationship with her father, but we can perhaps glimpse what it was like with the words from this poem. I’m guessing this is what Master Hawkeye wanted to say to his daughter as a sort of apology (this is where the last line of this section comes into play), and as a promise that he would try to be a better father for her.

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Seventh Section – Area Between the Heads of the Two Serpents Latin: Lux et lex Lux et veritas Post tenebras lux In luce Tua videmus Lucem In lumine tuo videbimus lumen

Translation: The light is the law The light is the truth There is light after the darkness In Thy light we see Light in your light We will see the light

Analysis: Nothing really significant going on here; just a few lines of Latin that basically proclaim that Light (or Fire) is the most important and specialized Classical element, and that through Fire, we gain knowledge and truth. Perhaps it is alluding to the story of Prometheus, who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humans so that we may be “enlightened.”

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Eighth Section – Area Directly Around Main Circle Signs of the Zodiac: Libra – Sublimation Scorpio – Separation Sagittarius – Incineration or Ceration Capricorn – Fermentation Aquarius – Multiplication Pisces – Projection Aries – Calcination Taurus – Congelation or Freezing Gemini – Fixation Cancer – Dissolution Leo – Digestion or Rot Virgo – Distillation

Alchemical processes are attributed to the signs of the zodiac (using their symbols as cryptography). The list above begins with Aries on the outside of the main circle’s left side (under the Second Section) and I’ve compiled which processes belong to which signs. The twelve processes as a whole are referred to as classical alchemy’s “magnum opus,” which is a detailed procedure for creating the Philosopher’s Stone. Though this isn’t the same procedure for making a Philosopher’s Stone in the manga and anime(s), it might have been useful for advanced alchemy students (like Roy) to perfect basic alchemy in order to move on to higher alchemical reactions (such as Flame Alchemy).

The Sun: Near the bottom of the tattoo there is a large depiction of a sun figure. In traditional alchemy, the sun correlates with the element gold, yellowness, or masculine characteristics, such as virility and nobility (sulfur also represents the male half of the common male-female dichotomy principle). However, given the fact that we’re dealing with Flame Alchemy, I’m safely assuming that this sun is referring to the element sulfur, which is usually coupled together with Fire in alchemy, as they share similar characteristics (hot, dry, ability to create change).

The Two Serpents: The intertwining serpents form an inverted caduceus, similar to the one the Greek god Hermes carries. However, in alchemy, the caduceus represents the element mercury (Hermes’ Roman name), which presides over the female half of the male-female dichotomy. Mercury is in every way the opposite of sulfur: it is silver in color (while sulfur is gold), and associated with femininity, womanhood, and the moon; it also shares characteristics with water (the opposite element of fire), as it is cold and moist (even though it is a metal, mercury is a liquid at room temperature).

Though this is quite a stretch, I’m going to go out on a limb here and assume that Master Hawkeye meant for these two representations (the sun and the serpents) to be deciphered as one unit. When sulfur (the sun) and mercury (the moon) are placed together, they are usually depicted in alchemical illustrations as the “Red King” and the “White Queen,” respectively. Riza would be considered as the White Queen, and whoever successfully decoded the array as the Red King. This might be looking too far into it, but I think Master Hawkeye meant for Roy to become his protégé in Flame Alchemy, even if Roy wasn’t ready when he died. It would most definitely fit into the chess analogy!

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Ninth Section – Main Circle The transmutation circle that we’ve all come to recognize on sight sits in the middle of the entire array. Two concentric circles outline two triangles: the alchemical symbols for the classical elements Earth and Air. The smaller upright triangle in the middle is the alchemical symbol for Fire. I’m guessing the two overlaid larger triangles (Earth and Air) are used as components in creating Fire: an Earthy substance can be ignited, but Air keeps the flames going. The symbol for Water isn’t used here as it is the opposite of Fire in every way, and using Water to create Fire would achieve nothing.

The salamander at the bottom represents just that: a salamander, which is considered the fire elemental (or a mythical creature associated with one of the classical elements). In medieval times, it was believed that salamanders lived within fire itself; they would spontaneously appear when wood was burning (salamanders just tend to live under rotting and dry wood).

The small flame at the top of the array is the final product: the usage of Earth, Air, and the Fire Elemental (the salamander) can produce flames with accurate and proficient alchemy practice.

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Thanks for reading all the way to the end! I hope everything made sense, and if there are any questions, please message me! I had fun with this analysis, and like I said before, some of these elements will show up in Hawkeye and the General.

Since a few people have asked if they could use this, yes! Go ahead and feel free to, just don’t take it for your own.

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fiorelabeleng · 4 years

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Why Royai is Objectively Canon

I love this topic so much and had to enthusiastically yak about it. I’m also nervous making this post… but you know what? Life’s too short to not talk Royai. I said about a week ago that I’d write a post demonstrating why canon material presents romantic Royai as objectively canon. Haha, I don’t believe this is Royai shippers perceiving skewed information for what we want! ^.^

For my perspective, I’m someone who tends not to be drawn to romantic ships, canon or fanon. I rarely ship and I’m almost never gungho about ships. I’m aroace and I find the greatest celebrations in familial platonic and familial relationships. Those are the things I emphasize and look into in my own fictional fixations. I’m slightly cynical by nature that authors intend a close relationship to be implicitly, implied romantic unless there’s obvious sign posts demonstrating that. I’m more likely to argue something implicit isn’t romantic rather than argue it is, honestly. Even if I find myself shipping something (and I do hardcore ship Royai), I keep a strong distinction between what’s canon and what’s fanon, and I don’t care if my ships become canon or not. It doesn’t mean I’m without my bias, but hopefully this gives everyone an angle on what my biases or not are.

Regardless, I firmly believe that Hiromu Arakawa - and in fact every iteration of the FMA franchise - intends Royai to be perceived as romantic interest. It’s written subtly at times, but it’s written intentionally.

Some points I make below will be more objective, undeniable, concrete proofs than others. For each section I’m writing, I’m (generally) putting the strongest, most concrete evidence on top, alongside asterisks to say that this is a VERY important point. But my list also includes minor moments that on their own wouldn’t “prove” Royai. However, in the context of everything else, they provide a gestalt understanding of how Royai interact and are intentionally written/drawn throughout the franchise and especially the manga/FMAB.

I could honestly write essays over EVERY bullet point on this list, but I’ll restrain myself. Yes, this long post is me actually restraining myself. XD

A BRIEF STARTING ESSAY SUMMARIZING KEY POINTS

Grumman, who’s rather keen in sensing motivation, suggests Roy marry his granddaughter, Riza. Roy’s foster mother Chris suggests that Roy should “play with Elizabeth” when he’s feeling blue. When Roy says another man takes Elizabeth-chan away from him, Vanessa asks if this means Roy’s now romantically available - indicating that Riza is where Roy’s romantic interests lie. In fact, both Roy and Riza demonstrate occasional moments of jealousy when someone shows romantic interest in the other. Roy gets disproportionately defensive when Barry hits on Riza. Riza, meanwhile, tries to sabotage one of Roy’s dates by overloading him with paperwork. When she fails to prevent the date, she goes to the shooting range to noticeably vent, catching both Falman and Fuery’s attention for her abnormal behavior.

Royai tend to use formal language to one another, Riza almost exclusively addressing Mustang as「大佐」 (colonel). Roy makes sure to put in「中尉」 (lieutenant) lots amidst various second-person pronouns. However, when both are emotionally vulnerable and speaking from their heart about each other, like when Riza thinks she might have to shoot Roy, they drop formalities. Roy then never calls her “lieutenant,” instead exclusively uses a term that can be endearing and affectionate, 「君」, and uses this word when he says, “I can’t afford to lose you.” Riza, even more tellingly, calls Mustang 「あなた」- something she never calls him in formal situations - an affectionate term wives use to call their husbands.

The body language and facial expressions Royai give each other is notably different from how they interact with family and close friends. Mustang isn’t someone who engages in much physical contact, be it with his aunt or his best friend Hughes. He sometimes appears irritated if Hughes hops in for an arm around the shoulder. Riza in turn doesn’t reach out for notable physical contact with Rebecca or other friends. But the look of affection Roy gives when Riza is injured in his arms and he realizes she’s safe… is a look he gives no one else. He cradles her and embraces her so tightly that Mei has to remind him Riza’s still injured. When Mustang loses his eyesight, he doesn’t just grab Riza’s hand to get some navigation guidance… but manages to sling his arm around her shoulder. And while it makes sense for Hawkeye to hold onto him in the final fight to keep him oriented, there is a certain level of intimacy to not just holding him by the shoulder, but putting her hand on his chest, too.

Royai demonstrate extreme closeness for one another and preference for the other above all else. Romance doesn’t have to be your closest relationship, but the fact that Royai are so emotionally close only adds support to the rest of my points. Riza would be devastated at the thought of losing Mustang, so much she starts crying and gives up on life in “Death of the Undying,” and then in “Beyond the Inferno” says she’d kill herself alongside Mustang. Roy, in turn, has traumatic flashbacks imagining that Hawkeye might get killed by Gluttony, and is so frantic about her health in “Lost Light” that he is oblivious to an enemy almost attacking and killing him from the back. Mustang even admits to Bradley that he almost risked his physical health and the entire country’s safety… because he wanted to do human transmutation to save Hawkeye’s life. He would risk all that for one special woman.

Multiple characters beyond Chris Mustang, Grumman, and Vanessa indicate that they know Royai is close. Envy immediately believes Riza when she suggests she and Mustang are intimate. The gold-toothed alchemist and Bradley both know that Riza is the specific way to get to Roy’s heart. And throughout the story, Royai is written as a parallel point to Edwin. Riza tells Winry that she sticks with the military in support of one man, which helps give Winry the resolution to support the own man she loves. Riza understands Ed’s desire to protect Winry - a woman Riza knows Ed loves - because Riza, too, has someone dear she needs to protect. Everything from in-story parallels to official art often put Edwin and Royai as counters to each other.

An oft-quoted interview with Hiromu Arakawa published in the thing manga art book has the writer answering a question of why Royai aren’t married. If they weren’t romantically inclined, Arakawa would have said that. Instead, she explained that the thing preventing them from joining in matrimony was military anti-fraternization regulations.

Other material outside of what Arakawa wrote herself or was placed in FMAB depict romantic Royai as well. 4Koma Theatre (which Arakawa also drew panels for in Chronicle) contains jokes where Mustang shows attraction to Hawkeye. The 2003 anime ends with Mustang reaching out to Hawkeye’s hair and calling her beautiful, and the two of them sharing smiles in the marketplace that show emotions they’ve given no one else. The 2003 character song “Rainy Day No Thanks” contains extremely flirtatious lines from both - it’s in fact a love song. Hawkeye calls Mustang’s actions “cute” and says she wants to hold him close, while Mustang says Riza is “a sexy lady to escort with a kiss.” Art from Daughter of the Dusk and Conqueror of Shamballa show Riza with her hand on Roy’s arm, much as you would see couples walk down the street. Mustang, sparkling and grinning in flirtation, calls Hawkeye so beautiful she takes words away in Prince of the Dawn, and is rather keen to hold onto a sexy photograph of her in a stunning dress in (I believe) Daughter of the Dusk. Maes Hughes seems rather interested in the idea of Roy and Riza pairing up for a team event in Dream Carnival, and teases them to the point of suggesting he could see them making out - which gets Riza abashed.

All this material combined presents what I believe is a clear case to canon Royai romantic affections, regardless of whether or not you wish to ship it! (and no worries, we can all ship what we please!)

Now, this isn’t about the idea that romance is inherently “closer.” Roy and Riza are clearly close. Familial and platonic bonds can be just as close as romance, though. But the proof that this is coded as implicit romance is clear throughout the franchise, and clearly intended by the creator of the characters herself. So many of these things I mentioned would never be the case if not intended to be romantically coded. Vanessa asking if Riza’s departure means Roy’s now romantically available; Hawkeye sabotaging a date; Riza calling Mustang an affectionate term that’s not familial or platonic in nature; Arakawa herself saying Royai would get married if not for work regulations. Roy and Riza might never be able to act upon romantic interests in one another, but their affections are nevertheless underlyingly romantic.

And now… the list I have. It’s not even anywhere close to comprehensive. But it should more than enough get the point across.

Keep reading

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