Venus: Origin of her Associations and Attacks

[Sailor Venus]

The goddess Venus, a most interesting character. Religiously venerated in ancient times, secularly worshipped in early modern times; she has a long history.

Who is Venus?

I'm sure any Sailor Venus fan already knows about the birth of the goddess Venus. When Uranus (the sky) fought Kronos, a part of him was cut off and fell into the sea which burst forth as Venus. She was born of foam and water. Yadda Yadda

What about in other cultures? Who are the Venus counterparts?

Babylonia - Ishtar (Ashdar)
Norse - Freya
Greece - Aphrodite
Egypt - Nuter Dua
India - Shukra

I will talk about some of these counterparts later.

Venus and Light

It always seemed odd to me that the Goddess of Love and Metal would be associated with light. Love and Metal really don't have much connection to light. And, even Sailor Venus's uniform is the color of light, yellow and orange. Why?

Well, I'm going to explain her uniform and association with yellow easily. Venus is not associated with "yellow", I'm pretty sure she is officially associated with the color "gold". This is because in Eastern mythology, the planet Venus is the "Gold Star" (rather than the "Metal Star"). Ok so, that is why she has a gold (metal) and gold (color) association. (Because gold is yellow...XD)

That's nice and all but why is she associated with Light? Let's take a look back at Western mythology shall we?
(When I say "Venus" I mean the Venus counterpart in respective cultures)

In Baltic Lore, the Venus counterpart there whose name escapes me right now, is the lover of the daughter of the Sun. In Baltic lore, Venus's job was to bring solar light to the earth and manage it.

With the influence from the Babylonian and Indian religions, there was a concept of a rising and falling Venus. (I think the rising is female while the falling is male). The falling Venus was often associated with Lucifer. In Western pagan religions, before Christianity came to dominate, Lucifer was basically a good guy. (remember his name comes from "lux" in Latin for "light"). He was the Dawn-Bearer and in ancient times was Phosphros and Hesperus, bringers of the morning and evening star. So the Venus-Lucifer combination was the bearer of light.

*Don't quote me on this but I'm pretty sure that the early church fathers modeled Christ after the pagan Lucifer (the good guy). (Like how Sailor Moon was modeled after Sailor Venus and....haha! weird connection huh?) Seeing Lucifer as competition to his Christ-clone, they decided to invert his role and make him Satan, the evil devil...dude. At this point, Venus also became associated with evil (aka temptation and crap like that).

In Egypt, Venus (divine love) powered the Sun (spark of man). Venus was the mother of the morning sun.

In Greece, Venus the planet was seen by Plato as most radiant planet of the heavens. It received more light from the sun.

Venus and the Moon Link
Europe loved Venus. (no pun intended) Blah blah blah she was the goddess of divine love, aka a beautiful thing sureee

Anyway, onto less common stuff, the obsession with Venus among the upper class literti made Venus, the planet very important. In fact, St Augustine tried to prove that the planet Venus, revolved around the Earth.

Now, Venus is also seen as the "twin planet" to the Earth, both have the same mass (ect). Takeuchi probably wanted Sailor Venus to be the protector of Earth/leader of Senshi.

And...since the Venus=Earth=Moon in the Bishojo Senshi Sailor Moon world, Venus is slightly more special than everyone else because she has a closer relationship with Moon

"Venus Love-Me Chain!"

Doesn't it seem odd that Sailor Venus is constantly using a chain attack? (well not constantly but...) Why a chain? Yes, we know that she is also associated with metal, but once again...couldnt it be something more classy? Like a sword? (well she does have Venus Wink Chain Sword but even that has the word "chain" in it) What about a pole or something? Seriously, why a chain?

Well, we could stop right here and say that Takeuchi just "gave her" a chain like most fans do. But being an avid, avid Sailor Venus fan I'm going to attempt and research about the origin of the chain.

1)Before actually researching, I already knew a few connections with the Chain. Aphrodite was married to the very ugly Hephaestus who gave her a BELT around her WAIST, that made everything fall in love with her. At least now, we have a long "whippy" object for Sailor Venus to use.

2)A second connection I knew from my last summer English prep class, was in Homer's Odyssey. Here, Aphrodite was having a love affair with the handsome Ares and cheating on Hephaestus. Hephaestus, being the blacksmith, devised a clever trap while they were having sex and once they went on their bed they were locked in CHAINS. Hephaestus then humiliated her cheating wife by exposing them to all the gods. Ok, so now we kinda narrowed it down to a metal whippy thing, a chain, but there's more ^^.

*Doesn't it seem odd that in Eastern mythology Venus=Metal. And in Western, Venus's husband= Metal?? ;D

3)The Renaissance gave Venus a revival in Europe. She became even more venerated (HA did you know venerated comes from the word "venus"??)

"A youth with a silver chain; and next to him a naked maiden dancing with a laurel crown... A golden winged boy with shining hair whose feathers have a thousand colors holding a flaming javelin... A youth and a girl wrestling, both naked, being bound with a golden chain."

De Umbris Idearum

This is a description of Venus, "a youth", and Cupid. Yea and also.

"Of the image of Venus make the image of a nude boy [girl] with a chain around his [her] neck that a man nearby is holding, behind them is the form of a small boy holding up a sword, in the hour of Venus, in the stone lapis lazuli, and whoever carries this women will like him and do what he wishes."

Picatrix, Bk. II, Chapter 10 (Translation by Christopher Warnock, Esq.)

Venus seems to be loosely connected with the "chain". And just for some more visuals XD

www.renaissanceastrology.com/images/njacksonerosvenusdetail.jpg WARNING- TASTEFUL NUDITY

That is Venus with a chain around her neck and holding a mirror.

*Doesn't that look like Neptune's mirror? Wow that's crazy!

Ok, I'm basically out of connections to the chain but I think this is pretty good for the "origin" of the chain. If all else fails, a chain is a kinky thing for the very provacative-short skirted Sailor Senshi to have. And we all know Takeuchi liked making her senshi provacative, so why not add a chain to one of them? XD

Wow, this took two hours to write and research. So, any thoughts? More information? ;D

[Sailor Luna]

wow what alot of reseach you must be really into sailor v since your name is sailor venus (lol) anyway good job thats some interesting things you said. but on the first season didnt the scouts have only 2 0r 3 attacks and thats why shes using it so the venus love me chain so much. im not sure since it hasnt been on for 2 or 3 yrs over where im at.

[Sailor Venus]

Oh I'm only speculating on WHY she has that attack. Because, at first glance, the goddess and planet Venus never really had anything to do with chains.

In the anime:

Crescent Beam
Crescent Beam Shower
Venus Love-Me Chain/Love-Me Moon Chain
Venus Love and Beauty Shock

Codename Wa Sailor V:

Crescent Beam
Sailor V Kick
Crescent Shower of Love
Rolling Screw Sailor V Punch
Crescent Super Beam
V-Chan Rub Out Sailor V Chop
Crescent Slender Beam
Venus Sulfur Smoke
Venus Iron Muscle Punch
V-Chan Striking Katana
Diphenhydramine Combo!
Venus-Brand Anti-Mosquito Incense Typhoon!!
Venus Ten Billion Volt Rock 'N' Rouge!!
Venus Megaton Shower of Love!
(a lot were one time only attacks)

Bishojo Senshi Sailor Moon:

Rolling Heart Vibration
Venus Wink Chain Sword
Venus Love-Me Chain
Venus Love and Beauty Shock

Anyway, those are all of Sailor Venus's attacks.

Thank you SailorMomi! ^^ I'm glad people appreciate my research.

[Creshosk]

Bravo, mucho bravo.

Auseklis is identified with Venus in baltic lore, also known as Latvian mythology.

[Sailor Venus]

Cool! Thanks!

Takeuchi seems to have left out an important part of the Venus identity though...where's Cupid?? XD?

Anyway, I was just thinking about this this morning because I was wondering why the Senshi of Love didn't have a pink uniform. Then I understood she was also the "Senshi of gold" so...then I wondered why she didn't have a pink/yellow uniform. Then I thought about why she is associated with light...and since I was bored...I researched and this is what I got XD

HM...oddlyyyy...Did anyone notice that Sailor Venus's uniform has three colors? XD (i'm freaky and weird I know) While the inner senshi only have a main color and a secondary color? What could that mysterious blue in her bow be signifying...HMMM (joke joke hahas ;D i know i read too much into things anyway...but...if you could tell me...)

[Creshosk]

"Blue ribbon" is a term used to describe something of high quality, such as a blue ribbon panel or a blue ribbon commission. This usage comes from the practice of awarding blue ribbons for first place in certain athletic or other competitive endeavours.

[Sailor Venus]

Haha! That's fun! So Sailor Venus is high quality! (what about Mercury?) WHOA Revelation! Could the blue ribbon signify that she's similiar to Mercury? I always thought so because they have the same confidence level in my eyes. But anyway I don't think the Japanese have the "blue ribbon" concept...I mean...hm...it really is a sort of idiom..

Anyway...actually i might start another thread about this XD But in this thread I was just wondering about the associations with light and chains that Venus has and what people think of it.

[Creshosk]

Sailor said:

But anyway I don't think the Japanese have the "blue ribbon" concept...I mean...hm...it really is a sort of idiom..

And since when has it not being a japanese thing stopped Naoko before?

[Sailor Venus]

Oh ha no you might be right. I was just saying that the Japanese might not have that connatation associated with "blue ribbon" (being high quality). Its like an idiom. If I were to say "my feet are killing me" in Japanese people would think I'm weird (i'm already weird but that's besides the point ^^)

Hm, I don't know how to explain it but idioms and mythology are different. I don't think Takeuchi's Venus/Blue ribbon is about her being high quality or the best...mainly because I have the question, "where would she come across that idiom"? With mythology, research is always possible, but idioms are on a society/language playing field rather than a set in stone academic subject (mythology) that one can research about. Is there a book like "idioms around the world"? Would Takeuchi bother with that?

XD Blue ribbon, wow I swore I would not talk about this because its too stupid and weird but...ha...XD

Oh I just wanted to reinforce the triple color vs. double color of the Inner senshi
Look at the senshi uniforms: mangastyle.net/book3/nt3-099.jpg

Look at their dress, back bow, chest bow, and compact (the locket thingy)

Mars - Red dress, Red back bow, Purple chest bow, Red compact

Jupiter - Green dress, Pink back bow, Pink chest bow, Green compact

Mercury - Blue dress, Cyan back bow, Cyan chest bow, Blue compact

VENUS - Orange dress, YELLOW back bow, BLUE chest bow, Orange Compact

mangastyle.net/book3/nt3-099.jpg

Sailor Venus is the only senshi who has 3 colors. (Mars is also interesting because her back bow does not match her chest bow). The anime version makes this more...um...noticable? Yea, the colors are easily distinguishable and recognizable and you can see that Venus has three colors.

Come to think of it Sailor Moon only has two colors...Red and Blue...odd...XD!

[Creshosk]

Japanese, in contrast with Westerners, grasp colors on an intuitively horizontal plane, and pay little heed to the influences of light. Colors whether intense of soft, are identified not so much on the basis of reflected light or shadow, but in terms of the meaning or feeling associated with them. The adjectives used to describe colors, like iki (sophisticated or chic), shibui (subdued or restrained), or hannari (gay or mirthful), tend to be those that stress feelings rather than the values of colors in relation to each other. Color symbolism can vary dramatically between cultures. Research has also shown that most colors have more positive associations with them then negative. So, although some colors do have negative connotations (such as Black for a funeral or for evil), these negative elements are usually triggered by specific circumstances. Peoples age also has an effect on how colors are perceived. For example, children tend to like bright, happy colors.

Blue is the color of the Virgin Mary, and is associated with girls who have similar pure qualities. In addition, it is the color of water and the sea, with all the symbolic references already discussed for that element - that is, blue usually indicates femininity, life, purity, etc., just as water does.
Blue can also symbolize peace, calm, stability, security, loyalty, sky, water, cold, technology, and depression.

blue, aoi, mirrors the color of the vast ocean surrounding the Japanese islands. This shade of blue is very commonly seen in Japanese art and clothing.

As stated in the Intro, water is an element usually associated with girls and women. Water can also be used to show love or concern. Characters and things that are shown to have a 'watery' quality to them usually have a blue-colored theme to them. Blue because of the primarily blue color of water. Characters that have a 'watery' quality to them are more likely to 'go with the flow', but can also show very chaotic responses as well.
Water is frequently associated with women because it is theorized that life first came from water (new life comes from women), without water every living thing would die (without women, a species would die), it can take many forms and shapes (as can women), and religiously women are tied to water (such as the Greek parthanon goddess Aphrodite who was born of the sea foam). This can be shown by the female character being a swimmer, with the girls touching still lakes or ponds, or with a water colored costume, or with a preponderance of water pokemon. Water can also be shown to show a female character being scared and frightened about the changes happening to her; physically, mentally, and emotionally - that is water has no fixed shape or form, and is in a state of constant flux, just as girls are as they go through adolescence. This can be shown by having the girl panic when she gets into a pool or lake, or be afraid of water.

However, water can also symbolize love because it isn't stagnant (and love is constantly evolving), it can come in many forms (people love different things for many different reasons), and it is very difficult to grasp water (as it is usually very difficult for the heroines in shoujo stories to sort out their feelings for the other characters). This can be illustrated in an Anime by showing two leaves in a pool of moving water... where you're not sure if they two leaves will meet, or part. Or by the rain when the hero or heroine realizes that the one they love they might not be able to be with. Common symbolisms include storms and rainfall indicating sadness or heartbreak, snow indicating coldness of heart, dark clouds covering the Moon (eternal symbol of femininity) indicating dark events for the girl(s), bright fluffy clouds indicating positive change and optimism, and clear skies indicating perfect events and a clear future.

[Sailor Venus]

Omg. Creshosk that's hot! And totally explains Venus. Cool, weird all bundled in one. Sailor Venus is definitely a mystery for us to speculate about.

Ok so blue ribbon...done...What about red ribbon? What about Minako's red ribbon in her hair? Why not pick some other color (like blue again to match her school uniform)? Takeuchi did say red was one of her favorite colors but is that the only reason?

I remember from one of Takeuchi's (or maybe it was Watase XD!) freetalks that red was a passionate color. That Shinto priestesses who wear the red hakamas were said to be something like very enticing forbidden fruit because not only were they supposed to be beautiful, the red also was very much an aphrodasiac. So could the red in Minako's hair ribbon be something like that? Hm, Minako was trying to be prettier when she put on her ribbon so could the red just show that she was trying to be sexier?

(you know...if she had green in her uniform...Sailor Venus would totally be a rainbow! XD! Rainbows rock! (Red in hair ribbon, Orange in uniform, Yellow in back bow and hair, Green is not present XD, Blue in chest ribbon) Purple is left out...though...I never liked purple though ^^

[Creshosk]

Red can symbolize many things; from blood, to love, to infatuation. Basically red symbolizes strong emotions, or things of strong emotions rather than intellectual ideas. For example, red can symbolize excitement, energy, speed, strength, danger, passion, and aggression. it is popularly felt that red, the color of blood and fire, represents life and vitality. Red also signifies the color of the sun: a symbol of energy, radiating its vitalizing life-force into human beings. Red is also looked upon as a sensual color, and can be associated with man's most profound urges and impulses. Ironically, red cats symbolize bad luck.

[Sailor Venus]

The ribbon thing is really interesting Creshosk! ^^ Red might also connect Venus with Mars, because they're supposed to be paired together.

Maybe just my ignorance, but what kind of an attack is "Venus Wink Chain Sword"? Why is there a word chain in there? From my knowledge, I only remember it being a stone sword (made of...?). Hm...is her chain involved in the attack? What about "wink"? XD

[marriedtomars]

I don't know mich in this area even though i visited alot of venus homepages info is hard to come by then with sailor mars.