A Study On Fireflies, For Soko
The Meaning of Fireflies
Fireflies symbolize many different things to cultures all around the world. In ancient Aztec culture, for example, the fireflies symbolized "a tiny light in a great darkness, a little truth within the surrounding ignorance." Therefore, they were seen as sparks of knowledge or realization in a world clouded by ignorance, and this is something that connects eerily well to the state of the Avatar universe. This could also mean something for Soko--Zuko's moment with Song was very much like a "light within darkness." She revealed to him the harsh realities of the war, showed him a side he had never known before. She gave him realization with her scars and, in effect, helped him begin his transformation.
Most notably, however, is the firefly's significance to Japanese and Chinese culture. The Chinese believed fireflies came from the "burning grass" (firenation anyone?) and used images of fireflies abundantly in the first major collection of Chinese poetry, the Book of Songs (1500-1000 BCE).
In Japan, however, fireflies have been a metaphor for passionate love in poetry since the 8th century anthology. Fireflies were also viewed as the souls of the dead, a symbol which became highly prevalent during the aftermath of World War II. Also, "Hotaru no Hikari" (Light of the Fireflies) is a famous Japanese folk song sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne." It is all about farewell, connecting with how fireflies always leave, but always come back again another night. Below is the first two stanzas of the song which hold some fairly interesting connections to the relationship between Zuko and Song:
Light of fireflies, snow by the window,
Many suns and moons spent reading
Years have gone by without notice
Day has dawned; this morning, we part.
Stay or leave, either an end
Think as mementos; so many
Corners of my heart, in one word
Sing for peace.
As a symbol for goodbyes, but also reunions the fireflies undoubtedly give us great hope that Song and Zuko will meet again :)
Fireflies symbolize many different things to cultures all around the world. In ancient Aztec culture, for example, the fireflies symbolized "a tiny light in a great darkness, a little truth within the surrounding ignorance." Therefore, they were seen as sparks of knowledge or realization in a world clouded by ignorance, and this is something that connects eerily well to the state of the Avatar universe. This could also mean something for Soko--Zuko's moment with Song was very much like a "light within darkness." She revealed to him the harsh realities of the war, showed him a side he had never known before. She gave him realization with her scars and, in effect, helped him begin his transformation.
Most notably, however, is the firefly's significance to Japanese and Chinese culture. The Chinese believed fireflies came from the "burning grass" (firenation anyone?) and used images of fireflies abundantly in the first major collection of Chinese poetry, the Book of Songs (1500-1000 BCE).
In Japan, however, fireflies have been a metaphor for passionate love in poetry since the 8th century anthology. Fireflies were also viewed as the souls of the dead, a symbol which became highly prevalent during the aftermath of World War II. Also, "Hotaru no Hikari" (Light of the Fireflies) is a famous Japanese folk song sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne." It is all about farewell, connecting with how fireflies always leave, but always come back again another night. Below is the first two stanzas of the song which hold some fairly interesting connections to the relationship between Zuko and Song:
Light of fireflies, snow by the window,
Many suns and moons spent reading
Years have gone by without notice
Day has dawned; this morning, we part.
Stay or leave, either an end
Think as mementos; so many
Corners of my heart, in one word
Sing for peace.
As a symbol for goodbyes, but also reunions the fireflies undoubtedly give us great hope that Song and Zuko will meet again :)