Akabane's Tattoo: mystery solved?
I think I may have at last finally solved the mystery of what Akabane's infamous tattoo might be.
It's never said in actual canon what it's supposed to be. The most common assumption appears to be that it may be something Hindu-based, and some of the readings I've connected with on Wikipedia might appear to support this theory (see the forthcoming link). But while browsing tonight for information/pictures unrelated to The Tat, I stumbled upon a piece of fanart over on DeviantArt that depicts one of the prevalent views of the thing. (Google "akabane's tattoo" for images and you'll see it, it's one of the very first pics to pop up.)
To see what it really looks like - which, IMO is the best version of it - watch the GB episode and pause it at about 6:07 to get a good look at it.
Then, later, I found this Wiki article on the Rod of Aesclepius. This rod is almost always mistaken for the traditional caduceus, which has a pair of snakes with wings wrapped around a staff. But the rod has a slightly darker and interesting history. It is actually considered to be the "legit" symbol for professional medical associations, whereas the caduceus is commonly slapped on something to make it more recognizable and appealing to people. Basically, the rod = the real deal; the caduceus = all-purpose general stamp for medical-related things.
The rod is also associated with medicine and healing; however, it implies a dual nature: that of the physician who deals with both life and death on a regular basis. Implying, of course, that doctors have the power to both cure and, well...sound like anybody we know? This certainly fits in with Akabane's history and mercurial dual nature: one moment he can be a kickass ally, the next he'll turn around and be kicking YOUR ass. It all depends on his mood. >:)
Getting into the tarot side of things - GB has its own canon tarot arc, aptly named Divine Design. Players use cards that can literally affect the realities around them; Ban learns this the hard way much to his displeasure. Appropriately, Akabane's purpose in the arc fits with a particular card, which, if you know tarot, does not necessarily mean what it might seem at first glance. The Rod of Aesclepius is associated with the rods - wands - in tarot; wands are seen as tools for the soul to use, related to the action of will and the element of fire (Akabane is a Sagittarian; Sagittarius is a Fire element, as is Aries (which is Ginji's sign, and likewise fitting since Ginji wields the lightning). Without trying to sound any more spoilery for those unfamiliar with GB, let's just say that Akabane has oodles of "will-power" enough to give good reason for the fear and awe associated with his reputation!
And of course, Aesclepius is Ban's patron god bequeathed to him from his dotty old grandma. Looking at the pictures, it strikes me that Akabane's tattoo looks an awfully lot like this rod (particularly if you glimpse the fanart, or watch the episode where he and Ban fight during the Venus arc - Ban rips off a piece of Akabane's sleeve and exposes the tat). With a bit of creative interpretation, this would fit in right nice with GB canon!
(My obsession. Let me show you it.)
It's never said in actual canon what it's supposed to be. The most common assumption appears to be that it may be something Hindu-based, and some of the readings I've connected with on Wikipedia might appear to support this theory (see the forthcoming link). But while browsing tonight for information/pictures unrelated to The Tat, I stumbled upon a piece of fanart over on DeviantArt that depicts one of the prevalent views of the thing. (Google "akabane's tattoo" for images and you'll see it, it's one of the very first pics to pop up.)
To see what it really looks like - which, IMO is the best version of it - watch the GB episode and pause it at about 6:07 to get a good look at it.
Then, later, I found this Wiki article on the Rod of Aesclepius. This rod is almost always mistaken for the traditional caduceus, which has a pair of snakes with wings wrapped around a staff. But the rod has a slightly darker and interesting history. It is actually considered to be the "legit" symbol for professional medical associations, whereas the caduceus is commonly slapped on something to make it more recognizable and appealing to people. Basically, the rod = the real deal; the caduceus = all-purpose general stamp for medical-related things.
The rod is also associated with medicine and healing; however, it implies a dual nature: that of the physician who deals with both life and death on a regular basis. Implying, of course, that doctors have the power to both cure and, well...sound like anybody we know? This certainly fits in with Akabane's history and mercurial dual nature: one moment he can be a kickass ally, the next he'll turn around and be kicking YOUR ass. It all depends on his mood. >:)
Getting into the tarot side of things - GB has its own canon tarot arc, aptly named Divine Design. Players use cards that can literally affect the realities around them; Ban learns this the hard way much to his displeasure. Appropriately, Akabane's purpose in the arc fits with a particular card, which, if you know tarot, does not necessarily mean what it might seem at first glance. The Rod of Aesclepius is associated with the rods - wands - in tarot; wands are seen as tools for the soul to use, related to the action of will and the element of fire (Akabane is a Sagittarian; Sagittarius is a Fire element, as is Aries (which is Ginji's sign, and likewise fitting since Ginji wields the lightning). Without trying to sound any more spoilery for those unfamiliar with GB, let's just say that Akabane has oodles of "will-power" enough to give good reason for the fear and awe associated with his reputation!
And of course, Aesclepius is Ban's patron god bequeathed to him from his dotty old grandma. Looking at the pictures, it strikes me that Akabane's tattoo looks an awfully lot like this rod (particularly if you glimpse the fanart, or watch the episode where he and Ban fight during the Venus arc - Ban rips off a piece of Akabane's sleeve and exposes the tat). With a bit of creative interpretation, this would fit in right nice with GB canon!
(My obsession. Let me show you it.)