Strange Question

[just4jensenra]

The reason I ask the following is because I am on a fan board for the show called Supernatural. And We have been debating for months what he necklace means. One mythology board point out to me that it is possibly African. I was wondering if you could take a look a let me know what you think. Enclosed is a picture of this necklace.

Comments

[spiletta42]

As I and others have said, the artifact in question is an amalgamation, but let me take it further with why the writers/producers probably chose to use an amalgamation in the first place.

My knowledge of Supernatural is pretty much limited to icons I've seen on my flist, but I'm assuming that the necklace means something. By using a real artifact, or a specific culture, the producers would face three problems. First of all, they'd be limited fictionally by demands for accuracy, secondly they'd face the obstacles presented when fans do enough research to get ahead of the plot, and thirdly they'd face issues with the cultural group chosen regarding the way they were portrayed.

These issues are especially touchy in a fandom where magic is real, yet the setting is very much in our world. I am assuming that Supernatural falls into that category, as does Buffy, which is why Joss chose to make everything up instead of letting his writing staff research "real" demons.

The creators of LonelyGirl15 tried to use real-world stuff in their

Wow

[fractalwoman]

That was a very insightful and useful post. Thank you for the explanation. I tend to agree that borrowing off of real cultures in full form can get ugly. It has been shown time and time again.

[kantayra]

Dean's necklace really doesn't look Egyptian. I can't say what it is (or if it is anything) because I haven't done intense study of any cultures outside of Egypt, but you can definitely rule out Egypt. :P

However, as another rather avid SPN fan, I have to say that I doubt it's anything specific. Kripke makes up quite a lot, really, even if he does tie it back to some myth or legend later. He could just as easily say, "Oh, yeah, Dean found it at a tacky souvenir store, but then Bobby charmed it so that the Impala will be immortal" and have it make sense, as have it be some obviously recognizable symbol.

So I can't prove that it's nothing, but I sort of suspect it is. After all, Kripke said he only had the arc of the first three seasons planned and the necklace hasn't even begun to figure in yet. So odds are, if it ever does become a plot point, it will be made up on the spot.

[just4jensenra]

Ok, It appears we my have misunderstood, Kripke.

On his plan at least. While rewatching the Paley Even this morning I came across the part I heard. I looked up the transcript here: http://www.devotedfansnetwork.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31127

And See I understand him as saying there is a 5 yr story line. the only time I read about only having three is when he is talking about the CW hopefully picking them up for Season 2 and 3
because they have the Mythology of those seasons already planned.