Anima

[Ezme]

I know many of the fiends/animals/names have roots in mythology and symbolism but I think anima is brilliant. Anima means soul and its the soul of seymours mother. She is blind on one side, she still loves seymour but is blind to what he's doing(at the start at least.) She's bound, she can't act directly. Her overdrive shows her anger and her breaking free with her emotions only to be overcome buy the chains, her guilt maybe. Anyone else got anything on anima? or any other cool myths or symbols? I love this kinda thing, makes other games seem a little 2D tho.

[Tavrobel]

Try FFCompendium for some Anima refrences, or Wikipedia. There are many elements in FF (especially in the old ones) that can be interpreted as recurring elements in classic literature. (hero-cycle, main characters that develop a conscience during the course of the game, etc.)

[BG-57]

The FF Shrine has the best full length portrait of Anima:


http://www.ffshrine.org/ffx/aeonart/00015.jpg

It's clear that Anima is two creatures grafted together. I've heard some arguments that the upper half represents the Animus (Rational, Masculine Soul), and the Overdrive represents the Anima (Feminine, Animal Soul); but they both look female to me. At the very least it is an Aeon that is the product of a tortured, conflicted Fayth.

I just noticed this, but Overdrive Anima is wearing golden metallic bracelets, of the same type that her Fayth favored in life.

[blackraven19]

they both look female to me.
I think that the top one looks more maskulin then feminine

[D.os]

I think that the top one looks more maskulin then feminine

Agree. This Aeon story is very interesting,it was the mother of a child that is the result of two diferent races, sacrifices herself so that her son can defeat Sin and be accepted by the people in Spira. :)
Her soul was indeed in conflict, she was affraid that her son would be rejected, cuz everybody is affarid of what is new.

[Heero Yuy NWZC]

I like this thread! :D myhtology rules. I am pretty good at it. Anima is a rather nice topic to have on this. Anyways, besides the masculine and feminine thing, as you have seen in the game, one half is above the surface and the other is below. I think that the other is hidden away as a precaution or that it is in a different realm itself(overdrive background). What do you think? :confused:

[Lost Number]

I dont know much mythology, but the FFs are an education.

[D.os]

I like this thread! :D myhtology rules. I am pretty good at it. Anima is a rather nice topic to have on this. Anyways, besides the masculine and feminine thing, as you have seen in the game, one half is above the surface and the other is below. I think that the other is hidden away as a precaution or that it is in a different realm itself(overdrive background). What do you think? :confused:

Yes, u have a point there.. and if you notice, Anima is summoned from the underground, when all the other are summoned above the ground. This can mean that it' has something to hide as Heero Yuy NWZC said and it lives in the depths of the world.

[Ezme]

Thanks for the replies. Anima is described as a Dark aeon which kinda goes with the underground thing. Also her rage and power is hidden below, out of sight. You can kind of imagine her being like that in life, in the shadow of Lord Jyscal, yet everyone now and then when the emotion bubbles over and everything else is brought down to her level where she can be expressive without others seeing. Did you also know that the fiend Ahriman is the son of the Zorroastrian god. (sorry philosophy student and had to do a research project)

[Psydekick]

Has anyone got a pic of Dark Anima, he looks somewhat more ugly if that was possible lol:)

[Heero Yuy NWZC]

What would be strange is if the whole figure of Anima was summoned above the ground. The whole two sides of it would be hovering. Would it be more powerful with both of it above? WHat would its overdrive be?

[Tavrobel]

If the whole of Anima were above the ground, it's attacking capabilities and Overdrive would either be compromised or simply stay the same. I can't really see how it would benefit. And probably a reaso why the bottom part is the bottom is because it doesn't show its rage except at certain times. And when it does, it ANNIHILATES YOU, while the top part is rather direct with its means of torture, and you must go through the top part before you see the bottom (which supports the idea that the bottom one isn't really in charge -- unless it wants to be). The top does look more masculine than the bottom part, which I think is more female in design.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

[Ezme]

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
Damn straight!

I think its perfect it being below ground, it would spoil the symbolism if it wasnt. Shows the multiple layers what people have, even the calmest ones. Acctually, thats another point; the upper half is always so calm in its attacks, just rolls it head rather that running and attacking like the others whereas the lower half is so violent, schitzophrenic even.

[D.os]

I think its perfect it being below ground, it would spoil the symbolism if it wasnt. Shows the multiple layers what people have, even the calmest ones. Acctually, thats another point; the upper half is always so calm in its attacks, just rolls it head rather that running and attacking like the others whereas the lower half is so violent, schitzophrenic even.

Yes, you are right, and even with the chains around the upper body, Anima has no intent to escape, while the lower body when has a chance is ready for that.
There's a dictionary of mythology and i've been shearching for names related to ff.

[Heero Yuy NWZC]

Hey, I was just wondering.

[BG-57]

If the upper Aeon is male and the Overdrive Aeon is female, then the upper half would technically be the Animus, the traditional representation of the rational masculine mind, and the Overdrive would be the Anima, the traditional representation of the animal feminine mind.

I always thought it was a little twisted of her Fayth to suggest the best way to save Seymour's reputation for posterity was by having him die. Of course, this is well in line with the morality in Spira, where a personal sacrifice for the greater good was the ideal for a Summoner.

[Ashley Schovitz]

Hmm, I never thought of this.

[Carl the Llama]

Anima is a feminine Latin noun for "spirit, soul, breath". Ancient Romans believed that one's anima was in the chest - it was one's feelings, the breath et cetera. Therefore, when a person died, the breath (soul) escaped. Anima was related to feelings and heart; the counter part (masculine) animus was the logic and brain.

Obviously, the relationship between Seymour and his mother was emotionally powerful, and her loss triggered a turn of events for all of Spira in how it affected Seymour.

[BG-57]

The idea of the vital spirit or breath would explain where we got the terms inspiration (breathing in) for ideas and expiration (breathing out) for death.

[Yew-Yevon]

I had a topic on this once.....the first was called The True Story of Anima...there was a link to a site with info aswell.....to bad it wasn't archived :( ....this is the other one http://forums.eyesonff.com/showthread.php?t=68060

[Ezme]

Of course, this is well in line with the morality in Spira, where a personal sacrifice for the greater good was the ideal for a Summoner.

The whole cycle of death fits in with this but its the same in ancient and some modern civilisations. The death of a Matyr is one of the highest honers, especially so in spira. I mean why wouldn't it, bringing the calm isn't exactly a small deed!

So, is that how seymour died? Trying to kill sin? I never really thought about it before.

[Tavrobel]

Seymour dies when he encounters Yuna in Macalania Temple. After that, he is so strong willed that he remains (also possibly at the urging of Mika).


Anima is a feminine Latin noun for "spirit, soul, breath". Ancient Romans believed that one's anima was in the chest - it was one's feelings, the breath et cetera. Therefore, when a person died, the breath (soul) escaped. Anima was related to feelings and heart; the counter part (masculine) animus was the logic and brain.

This also feeds into the idea that women are more likely to make an action on their emotions, rather than a male who can think stoicly under most situations (we can also be as detached to anyone emotionally as we want).

And it is spelled Martyr, and honor (honour). And cycles of death are common in many forms of Literature, especially History, where in certain ways, our history it is interpreted as Spiral History, which means everything gets worse and worse and worse, until we reach the end of the spiral. (So imagine the French Revolution, then the Holocaust, and then imagine it 10 times as many deaths, and it continues, until everyone kills themselves)

[D.os]

So, is that how seymour died? Trying to kill sin? I never really thought about it before.

Seymour wanted to marry Yuna, so she could make him the fayth of her Final Aeon! Yuna and her guardians killed him in Macalania. But he had a very strong bound to the living so we stayed.

[BG-57]

Anima's intention was that she become Seymour's Final Aeon, with all the accompanying hazards to the Summoner. I'm not surprised that there would be pressure from society on such Summoners to make sacrifices for the good of Spira; it's Seymour's own mother thinking this is a good idea that strikes me as a little odd.

She was already dying when they reached Zanarkand, so it cost her nothing to become his Aeon. But he initially rejected her gift and when he finally accepted it, it was for selfish ends. Witness the chaos in Luca.

[YunaGirl05]

I know many of the fiends/animals/names have roots in mythology and symbolism but I think anima is brilliant. Anima means soul and its the soul of seymours mother. She is blind on one side, she still loves seymour but is blind to what he's doing(at the start at least.) She's bound, she can't act directly. Her overdrive shows her anger and her breaking free with her emotions only to be overcome buy the chains, her guilt maybe. Anyone else got anything on anima? or any other cool myths or symbols? I love this kinda thing, makes other games seem a little 2D tho.


that was really awesome

[Psydekick]

I found a head pic of Dark Anima

[Yuna rules]

Ok I have a question about Anima, She wears a picture around her neck I have never been able to quite figure it out though, what is it? Also when you fight dark Anima the picture has been shattered what could this mean?

[D.os]

Ok I have a question about Anima, She wears a picture around her neck I have never been able to quite figure it out though, what is it? Also when you fight dark Anima the picture has been shattered what could this mean?

The figure around Anima's neck is Seymour mother (that's waht I think anyaway). I never fought Dark Anima, but probably since it's one of the Dark Aeons, probably the dark power shattered her figure cuz it symbolizes something good in Amina's soul. Stupid theory uh? :(

[Heero Yuy NWZC]

I think I remmeber seeing it clearly enough at the scene where seymour summons anima to get rid of the fiends in the dome. I think it was Seymour's mother, or her soul anyways. That is what I think. Her soul is trapped in that picture on the necklace. This is what keeps anima's sanity. Dark Anima's is shattered because her spirit must have been broken and then the evil of the creature is set free to take over the body.

[BG-57]

It's almost certain the portrait is of her Fayth.

I can't find any screenshots of her Fayth, but this cosplayer gives you a decent idea of what she looked like:


http://www.geocities.com/lulu1mog/Seymour_Mom_close_up.jpg

It's also very likely the human arms protruding from Anima's neck are those of her Fayth. Note the bracelets. In a sense the arms are literally restraining Anima with a chain across the throat. In another sense, they symbolize the way her saner part holds back the bestial madness of the Dark Aeon.

[Tabris]

. and if you notice, Anima is summoned from the underground, when all the other are summoned above the ground.

Just a small comment: Isn't Ifrit also summoned from underground?

[D.os]

Just a small comment: Isn't Ifrit also summoned from underground?

Uh, yeah.However Ifrit does not stay with any part of his body under the surffce. He's is indeed summoned from the underground, but not because we has something to hide, just because fire is easily found in earth's core, and its his natural element.
Thanks :)

[Little Blue]

For those curious what Anima's fayth looks like (other than the cos play BG-57 posted :p)
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/3528/animafayth12va.jpg

[BG-57]

Auron's Ghost, is this your own screen capture?

[Little Blue]

Yes it is. I was finally able to capture the meetings with the Fayth, Anima included. They're in the "The Fayth" thread if you want them, if they haven't been taken down by the host yet.

[BG-57]

Nice job. :)

I can't find any images of Anima's Fayth using Google (unless you count cosplayers and fanart as images). You should get your picture hosted permenantly.

The Fayth thread is still up. So are the files.

[Ezme]

My theory with the human arms and chains is that it is the last vestiages of anima's soul. Like sin the essance of the person slowly dissapears. This would explain why some fayth lose their power or why there arn't all the fayth of the cluster at the top of Gagazet running around like bahamut or the other aeon fayth floating above their statues. Its only a theory but hey.

[Yew-Yevon]

I finaly found the thread called the true story of anima....it comes with the site:D http://forums.eyesonff.com/showthread.php?t=59670

[obsessed_wif_yuna]

i found out this waii... well it wasnt me but theres got a good waii 2 get anima on www.cheatplanet.com

thatz how i got it.

~owy

[BG-57]

I've noticed that the top part of the sleeves on Anima's Fayth has a square chain design on it. Could be a visual hint about her condition.

Also, what do you think influenced the design of Anima? I've thought of three possible influences:

H.R. Gieger. Anyone who's seen his disturbing artwork knows he loves fusing mechanical and flesh and blood creatures.

Clive Barker. Especially the use of chains remind me of Hellraiser.

Legacy of Kain. This may be unlikely, but Anima's Fayth reminds me of Ariel, the beautiful but haunted specter that acts as an advisor to Kain and later Raziel.

[Holy Lancer]

I think Anima sybolizes an Enema. Just my opinion.

[boys from the dwarf]

The FF Shrine has the best full length portrait of Anima:


http://www.ffshrine.org/ffx/aeonart/00015.jpg

It's clear that Anima is two creatures grafted together. I've heard some arguments that the upper half represents the Animus (Rational, Masculine Soul), and the Overdrive represents the Anima (Feminine, Animal Soul); but they both look female to me. At the very least it is an Aeon that is the product of a tortured, conflicted Fayth.

I just noticed this, but Overdrive Anima is wearing golden metallic bracelets, of the same type that her Fayth favored in life.
that is one cool pic of anima but i gonna have to argue a bit because in animas overdrive it clearly shows her breaking out of her chains and turning into what was hidden by the strange cage anima is sealed into. that picture doesnt seem to by pixelated like the FFX graphics and it just looks like a peice of art that someone made. i think anima is just one thing not two different ones. i think the bottom half in that picture is just another pic of anima merged onto the bottom. in the overdrive animation it shows anima sinking down with the party instead of the party sinking down to see this so called bottom half.

[Heero Yuy NWZC]

no, there wouldn't be two different ones since one is upside down and the other is right side up. They can't be two merged versions. Anima has two sides to it that have already been explained earlier. Each side has its own entity but they are connected. One can be summoned to the real world while the other stays in some sort of limbo or alternate dimension.

[starseeker]

I personally thought that the image around her neck was the Virgin Mary because its a holy icon (I was brought up a catholic) and anima is a creature from the underworld who is tamed but bitter and destructive when released from its confinement.

[Tavrobel]

Holy crap, it does look like Mary.

[blackraven19]

you know what? starseeker is right. I would have said that as well, had my internet not been down. (I was brought up a protestant)

[Lost Number]

Mary had a child, which grew up to be a force for good, mending rifts between peoples etc. whilst Seymour does the opposite.

[Heero Yuy NWZC]

it could be.

[BG-57]

It's more likely that it represents the Fayth of Anima. Especially since the arms that are hold the chain it's dangling from look like the Fayth's.

Mind you, the Japanese do often co-opt Christian symbolism for stylistic effect in anime and video games. I agree that Anima may have been influenced by Mary, even if it isn't her picture on the plate.

[Heero Yuy NWZC]

ummm, I'm pretty sure Mary was in catholic symbolism as well.

[Ezme]

I would say anima is definatly a single entity. But like people there are different parts but in this case they are very clearly defined rather than merging into each other as in people. Theres this buddhist metaphor about chariots. You can take apart the chariot and find it made of may different componats yet to can never find the "real" chariot. Its the same with people and (even tho this is a game and we shouldn't really be reading this much into it but its fun so what the hell) it could be the same with seymours mother....now i've lost why i was saying this... damn this short attention span, half term does me no good.

I like the whole Mary thing. It does show alot of correlation. The sacrafice for a more powerful and important son.... athough one chose evil....

[Yew-Yevon]

Heres an image from the site in the "true story of anima" thread http://C:\WINNT\Profiles\all.018\Personal\My Pictures\cmfull.jpg

[blackraven19]

this is probably the most interesting single thread i have ever read

[starseeker]

You haven't been around very long then.

[Heero Yuy NWZC]

no kiddin, but i can't really say anything since I joined in January of this year.

[Ezme]

this is probably the most interesting single thread i have ever read

Wow! I love you!

[Lost Number]

Well, maybe not the MOST interesting, but better than anyone with FE in it.

[starseeker]

Too true mate

[Lost Number]

Someone should do another member essay for the wiki on the symbolism of the Aeons.

[Old Manus]

Oh my God you can see it's ribs which must mean that Seymour's mother originated from Ethiopia and lived a childhood in poverty before moving house to spira and became pregnant with Seymour who lived off her insides and she became too skinny again and this affected her brain when he was born so he neglected him and this is reflected in the form of Anima

To be blunt, I think you are going too deep into this.

[blackraven19]

no kiddin, but i can't really say anything since I joined in January of this year.
me too :P

[Ezme]

You think this is too deep! Try doing english media or literiture. We had to analise Shrek for coursework and to get my A I have to go on about having a scotish and a black voice was symbolism for outcasts! Somehow I think they just wanted mike myers and eddie murphy because they're good at what they do and funny!

[Old Manus]

I was very close to including to absolute stupidity of english literature coursework in my previous post

[Heero Yuy NWZC]

this is off the topic of anima though.

[Lost Number]

On symbolism though, I just realised that outside th egarden of pain where you fight Seymour Omnis, the poles are the same shape as Seymours rod when you use him.

[Heero Yuy NWZC]

interesting, but that should be in a thread that is on that topic, we should really get back to anima now.

[Ezme]

We don't have to be restricted to anima. I like all symbolism! hell, tis what i'm going to uni for!

[Heero Yuy NWZC]

Then why is the thread title, 'Anima' ?:confused: It should've just been 'Symbolism in FFX'

[Lost Number]

Can you change thread titles?

[Ezme]

I don't think you can but it all natural evolution of threads! I Don't think as may people would have replied if it was just general symbolism

[Heero Yuy NWZC]

I see...but still. Back to discussions! :D

[Renmiri]

Here she is

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/1991/fayth6a8uu.th.jpg

There is a really good page about Anima but I lost the link :( At Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mythology_of_Final_Fantasy_X#Fayth_and_aeons) all you are going to find is the reference to Carl Jung's Anima archetype, which I added there. Anima, according to Carl Jung, is the feminine side of a male's unconscious mind. Jung envisions 3 "sides" of the female personality, the matron, the valkyrie and the nurturer, which all can be seen in the Aeon Anima (it's all described on the page that I lost the link)

As for the thread title, I suggest the one we settled at Wikipedia:

The Mythology of Final Fantasy X (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mythology_of_Final_Fantasy_X)

[Ezme]

Wow, this is the 1st thread i've had thats become a hot topic!

Neway, i've always thought Anima is an aspect of the soul/personality, but it seems that there are lots of different points of view

[Renmiri]

You think this is too deep! Try doing english media or literiture. We had to analise Shrek for coursework and to get my A I have to go on about having a scotish and a black voice was symbolism for outcasts! Somehow I think they just wanted mike myers and eddie murphy because they're good at what they do and funny!
Someone wrote 300 pges about FFX to for their thesis...

In HTML
http://64.233.179.104/search?q=cache:0PJiLhZ1RVkJ:www.upnaway.com.au/~waldemar/Research/PhD%2520(Submitted%2520to%2520Library).doc+final+fantasy+Anima+Jung+Seymour&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=3

or in Word
http://www.upnaway.com.au/~waldemar/Research/PhD%20(Submitted%20to%20Library).doc

[Renmiri]

An interesting trivia tidbit about Anima, from someone who reads japanese and has the FFX Ultimania. He says it's on page 81


Seymour's mother had a terminal illness and was dying. Also, she and her son had been banished to Baaj by Jyscal in the first place because of the uproar it caused in the Guado nation that he had taken a regular human for a wife. That was his way of keeping peace.

Because of who her husband was, and the Guado's own records of the past, she knew of the Final Summoning and that Yunalesca could turn her into a fayth. Since she felt that the people (Guado and regular humans both) would never accept her son, and since she was dying anyway, rather than leave him to face the world alone, she decided that the best thing she could do for him was give him the power to beat Sin, even if it would cost him his life. He'd be remembered and revered for doing that, but he didn't want her to do it.

When he saw Yunalesca turn her into a fayth and saw what she became, he fled from Zanarkand in horror (he was only 10 years old at the time), and he didn't return to Zanarkand to claim Anima as his aeon until 3 years before the game started. He then moved her fayth to Baaj and destroyed the entrance to the temple.

Techincally, Seymour had the power to beat Sin at any time, but he wanted to become Sin instead of letting his mother become Sin.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Mythology_of_Final_Fantasy_X#Anima_article

[Heero Yuy NWZC]

Interesting, very interesting. I like this, it gives meaning and purpose to his mother being a fayth in the first, even though we all know that she turned into a fayth for Seymour anyways but this gives a bit more information then what was given in the game.

[Vivisteiner]

I know Animus in Latin=spirit or soul.

[Ezme]

see why couldn't they put that in the game? I know theres already alot of good back story in it but that would have fleshed out and given more point to the anima stuff!

[Little Blue]

I think it might have been a but much making Maechen pop up everywhere... As it stands, a fair bit of backstory is presented in the game, leaving the ultimania's for those who want to go that one step further. I just wish the Ultimania guides were not just published in Japanese and in Japan...

[Ezme]

Theres so much FF stuff that they only release in japan..... and a bit in america..... There is another continent squareenix! Please bring it to europe!

[Lost Number]

I was reading up on amina.

Anima is obviously according to Carl Jung, the female part of the male soul. Notably he describes it as uncouncious AND a little bit concious. The part of the female mind which is male is the AnimUS. The majority of the anima is formed from th emother. This definitly refers to Anima being made Seymours aeon. Notably aeon also refers to gnosticism, where they are parts of god (i think, imagine the Holy Trinity). They come in pairs, each representing one half of God. Later, the anima is influenced by potential sexual partners, (Yuna for example to Seymour) so it is ironic that Anima then passes to Yuna.

This is all i can remember from my scattered thinking.

[Ezme]

Wow, thats deep. I am learning alot. Even in a montheistic religion belives there are many parts to god. Christianity for example; the God of the old testament is vengeful and violent, then the new testament we see the omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient god. These two sides could be refected in the anima/animus sides of the soul, if god is seminally present in us we have to two sides aswell. Hence the overdrives two parts.

[Lost Number]

Thats the idea of Aeons. Parts of God. Jesus and Sophia. Together, they are god. It is amazing what you can learn if you just look. Sometimes it just takes a nudge.

[BG-57]

The spines on Overdrive Anima's head resemble a crown. Could be reference to the crown of thorns, or perhaps a hint that she was once the consort of the ruler of the Guado.

That's why I privately refer to Overdrive Anima as the Blind Queen.

[Ezme]

Oh I like the blind queen thing. With one adjustment maybe, the awakened queen? The overdrive is like her becoming awake, unleashing her anger/dispair/hate, seeing truly what is happening, absolute power corrupting absoltely in the case of seymour.

[Lost Number]

But consider that the side of Anima that is buried is possibly always awake and fighting...an internal strife.

[BG-57]

If you look closely, you'll see metal plates over the eye sockets of Overdrive Anima. Also her blindness fits in with her blind rage.

I call the upper half of Anima the Prisoner, for obvious reasons. Naturally these nicknames are not canonical, although I use them in my Anima fanfiction.

[rikkupainegoofydonald]

Anima is the fayth of Seymour's mother. I did not say I know this Anima the Aeon. Anima is a both he/she & male/female, thinking it is Anima/Animus. I call Anima "it". It pains on me.

[Renmiri]

I remember from the page I read that indeed, the top part is bound to represent one of the 3 female archetypes of Jung's Anima, the bottom represents another one and Anima's overdrive displays the 3rd woman. Also note Anima has the same necklace as Seymour's mother.

[Lost Number]

To Jung there are 4 stages in the Anima.
First, the mother.
Second, potential sexual partners.
Third, potential long-term relationships.
Fourth, is termed as Sophia(Wisdom). This I have current difficulty with. Sophia is the counter Aeon of Jesus. But I need to track down Jungs book to find out more. Maybe it refers to a wisening, understanding? Maybe religious? I dont know.

[Ezme]

Counter aeon of Jesus? Wisdom and Jesus go together in my opinion. Jesus taught we have to deepen our understanding of the world/god etc. Philosophy, the study of religion, means the love of truth and wisdom. Philos meaning love and sophie as said before meaning wisdom.

[Lost Number]

Aeons come in pairs.
You see, thats the problem. I need ot read his book to fully understand it. And its HUGE. And I cant find it.