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frostfires-blog · 7 months

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SNK ED 7: Akuma no Ko Hanakotoba Analysis

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-> Evening Primrose

The first flower pictured in Akuma no Ko is the white evening primrose (Oenothera speciosa). Evening primrose is known as tsukimiso (月見草) in Japanese and its hanakotoba meanings are “silent affection” and “transient spirit”. In English floriography, they symbolize mute devotion, inconstancy, and faithfulness. As its name suggests, evening primrose blooms at night thus avoiding public view. This is where the meanings of silent affection and mute devotion are derived from. White evening primrose flowers turn pale pink when they wither in the morning, this is where the flower's meaning of inconstancy and transient spirit are derived from. In the visuals of this ending, young Eren is surrounded by countless white evening primrose flowers as our focus is drawn to a single evening primrose a single drop of blood stains the flower. This could symbolize Eren being corrupted by hatred, trauma, and loss or Eren’s love for those he is close to corrupting his morals. Eren’s shortened lifespan greatly contrasts his lofty goals and immense determination which ties into the flower symbolising transient spirit. Eren has stated that he will keep “moving forward” and has greatly changed since his first appearance both physically as well as mentally. This fits in well with the flower symbolizing inconstancy. Eren has hidden his feelings and intentions from his friends and loved ones, especially Mikasa, until the moment of his death. This ties in well with the flower symbolizing mute devotion, faithfulness, and silent affection.

-> Wildflowers (Part 1)

As the song reaches its chorus both the cage surrounding Eren as well as the accompanying darkness disappear as he is surrounded by a bright field of blooming wildflowers. The most notable of these wildflowers are yellow daisies and lavender. Daisies (Bellis) are known as hinagiku (デイジー) in Japanese, and they hold the hanakotoba meanings of faith, “secret love”, hope, beauty, peace, and faith. In English floriography, yellow daisies symbolise joy, and growth as well as a turning point or new beginning. Season 4 has been an immense defining moment for Eren, and his final actions have resulted in a tentative peace sort of new beginning for humanity tying into the flower symbolising turning points, new beginnings and peace. Lavender (Lavandula) is known as rabenda (ラベンダー) in Japanese. Its hanakotoba meanings include “expectation”, “suspicion”, “distrust” and “answer me”. In English floriography, lavender flowers symbolise devotion and love in addition to distrust and silence. The tranquillizing effect of lavender and its mysteriously strong scent is what its meanings of silence and distrust have given rise to its respective meanings of “silence” and “distrust”. Throughout most of the final arc, Eren’s motivations and feelings have been secret to his friends and comrades. In the days leading up to his defection from the scouting regiment, others regarded him with suspicion and distrust whilst simultaneously having expectations for him. After his defection, his friends demanded answers from him to no avail. This ties into lavender’s meanings of expectation, distrust, suspicion, silence and “answer me”. Lavender’s meaning of devotion complements Eren’s determination towards protecting his loved ones is shown through his willingness to dirty his hands, go through immense suffering and even temporarily hurt them for their own ultimate benefit.

-> Wisteria

We are then shown various locales in Paradise Island including Trost district and Utgard castle all of which are pictured as decrepit, uninhibited ruins overtaken by various plants. The most prominent of these is the wisteria pictured growing on the brick walls of the Trost district. Wisteria is known as fuji (藤) in Japanese. Its hanakotoba meanings are “kindness”, “welcome”, “never leave” and “intoxicated/drunk in love”. In Japanese culture, wisteria has also come to symbolize honour, wisdom, endurance, steadfastness and support. In English floriography, wisteria is associated with being steadfast, faithful and welcoming. Additional meanings include tenderness and sensitivity. Wisteria’s meanings of steadfastness and endurance complement Eren’s determination and stubbornness while its meanings of honour and kindness contradict Eren’s willingness to sacrifice the greater good in order to protect those important to him. Wisteria’s tendency to grip tightly to trees to grow up straight is what has led to it coming to mean an unwillingness to let go or being drunk in love. This concept strongly encapsulates Eren’s feelings towards Mikasa, particularly highlighting his unwillingness to see her move on after his death.

-> Wildflowers (Part 2)

The final panels in this ending show older Eren walking freely in the field of wildflowers. As our focus is shifted to his feet trotting through the myriads of flora. The most notable of which are white daisies, violets, white globe amaranth, nemophila and cosmos. Daisies (Bellis) are known as hinagiku (デイジー) in Japanese, and they hold the hanakotoba meanings of faith, “secret love”, hope, beauty, peace, and faith. In English floriography, white daisies symbolise innocence. The concept of childhood innocence being corrupted by cruelties of war and discord is a central theme in Attack on Titan. Violets (Viola) are known as sumire (菫) in Japanese. Its hanakotoba meanings include “humility”, “sincerity”, “small happiness” and “love”. While in English floriography they represent faithfulness, modesty, affection and virtue. The meaning “small happiness” resonates with Eren’s ideology as he is willing to sacrifice many so that those he cares for (a small minority) are happy. Nemophila are more commonly known as baby blue eyes and are called rurikarakusa (ネモフィラ) in Japan. Its hanakotoba meanings are daintiness, “I forgive you” and “success everywhere”. Although Eren maintains a determined and cold persona in order to fulfil his plans, deep down he is scared and unsure which ties into the flower symbolising daintiness. In the end despite dying and being stopped partway, his loved ones are able to live fulfilling lives tying into the flower’s meaning of “success everywhere”. White globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa) is known as sennichikou (センニチコウ) in Japanese. Its hanakotoba meanings are unfading love as well as timeless/eternal love. In English floriography, they symbolise unfading love, immortality, hope in misery as well as what is unchangeable. The name and meaning of this flower both derive from the flower’s long flowering period. The phrase “hope in misery” perfectly encapsulates what many of the characters including Eren have been struggling to grasp. The meanings of unfading, timeless and eternal love describe many of the friendships and relationships in the show and encapsulate its themes of love and loss. At this point, Eren is set on fulfilling his goals despite his friends wanting to change his mind. This ties into the flower symbolising what is unchangeable. The Cosmos flower is known as kosumosu (宇宙) in Japan. Its name is derived from the Greek word "Kosmos" meaning harmony and order. This has contributed to the flower coming to symbolise harmony, beauty and peace in English floriography. Its hanakotoba meanings include humility, purity, affection and modesty. The Cosmos flower is also said to represent "the joys that love and life can bring". Ironically Attack on Titan rarely focuses on the joys that love and life can bring but instead highlights that while beautiful, the world is also especially cruel. Additionally, the cosmos flower’s meanings of peace, purity and harmony are juxtaposed with the dark themes of war, loss, corruption and sacrifice in the show.

P.S.

-> Bellflower

Bellflowers have made consistent appearances in Attack on Titan since the first episode. Bellflowers are from the Campanulaceae family and are known as berufurawā (ベルフラワー) or kikyo (キキョウ) in Japanese. Its hanakotoba meanings are gratitude and sincerity. While in English floriography they symbolise constancy, sorrowful regret, humility and kindness. The flowers made notable appearances in the opening scene under the tree where Eren and Mikasa were sitting as well as in season 2 where Eren unlocked the co-ordinate power of the founding titan after Mikasa’s speech. In both scenes, we see characters being vulnerable after having premonitions of future loss and having faced repeated loss. This ties in with the flower’s meanings of humility, sorrowful regret, and sincerity. After Mikasa’s speech—wherein she thanked Eren for everything he had done for her—Eren gets up and is motivated to persevere once more. This ties in with the flower’s meanings of constancy, kindness, and gratitude.

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[If you liked this post, check out my other hanakotoba analysis posts here ❀]

[I didn't go into a lot of detail here because everything is very abstract and subtle and is thus difficult to explain than with other shows... Also, many people—including myself—have very conflicting views on and interpretations of the ending of Attack on Titan... So, I don't want to stir up discourse.]

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