Raven, Sparrow, Nightingale, Phoenix and Mockingbird and soon the stork will be visiting the set of Alias. The show is going to the birds,figuratively. Let's take a look at the meaning behind some of these birds, and what part they play in the mysterious nature of Alias.RAVEN : (aka Renee Rienne)
Ravens have been known to guide travelers to their intended stopping points.
A bird renowned to be of ill omen (perhaps due to its color) the raven is said to have the worst nature of all birds according to legend, even associated with the devil. Again, perhaps this is because the bird is supposed to have the ability to see the future. Raven symbolizes change in consciousness and is the mark of a shape shifter, a trickster.
-Renee is just one of the stepping stones on Sydney's journey to learning the truth about P5. In a sense, Renee is very much a guide, a link for Sydney to learn the more about Vaughn and his dealings with P5. Renee has been cast as a fugitive, undercover, her loyalties unknown, but she is aware of P5, and she may be able to predict or foresee the outcome if Sydney is to get involved.
SPARROW : (aka Katya Derevko)
The sparrow has a mixed reputation depending on what area of the world you live. According to some, the sparrow hops around because it is his punishment for crying 'He is alive, He is alive' when Christ was on the cross, therefore signaling to the Romans to prolong His torture. The hop is thought to symbolize the fact that the legs are bound together as punishment for the lack of sympathy shown by their song. To kill a sparrow or to have one fly into a house is considered unlucky too.
-As we know, Katya hops around from one allegiance to another.
NIGHTINGALE: (The name of an old Russian radiation project). The name of the bird stands for poetry or song. The parents patiently teach their young to sing. It is a good omen. Some, however, interpret its cry as a cry for help from a 'poor soul in purgatory' or a plaintive warning of an impending death. It also symbolizes acts of charity being rewarded. -Nightingale was the name of the project in which Jack risked his life to save Sydney from lethal exposure to radiation. Jack became deathly sick from this. Also, Vaughn went rogue in order to learn more about his father, only to discover that his father was, indeed, dead.
PHOENIX: (aka Sydney Bristow) Denotes the utmost examples of spirituality, a personality who bounces back from adversity, refuses to be defeated In mythology, the bird had a life of 500 years, because it is consumed in fire only to rise from the ashes, it represents resurrection and immortality. -We have seen Sydney rise from adversity and come back from the dead. She literally rose from the ashes after her apartment was burned in season 2 and will, no doubt, in the future overcome hardship to protect herself, her friends and her family. No better code name than that!
MOCKINGBIRD: (aka Rachel Gipson) Mockingbirds are known for their sweet song. -Rachel sang, she gave up all information on Dean that was detrimental to bringing down is operation and seizing his assets. Her innocence and sweetness are representative of a mockingbird.
What do you think? Any other connections you've made in regards to Alias and its many bird-metaphors? Do you have any insight or information to add? I had trouble finding information on Mockingbirds.
12 comments:
I know, GO VAUGHN!
you read my mind girlscout, I was going to suggest doing a post on all the bird references, well done! :) The only other reference I know that was left out was Syd's old SD-6 codename "Bluebird". I'm having a hard time finding symbology on the bluebird, but I did find this quote: "The Bluebird carries the sky on his back."
~~~ Henry David Thoreau ~~~
At the time when Syd was "Bluebird", she was carrying a lot on her back, her life as a double agent was a huge burden for her.
Ohh, good reference SRG! that's perfect. She was! She was lying to Dixon and dealing with his injuries. I had Bluebird on the list, but when I couldn't find anything I left it off the article. Good thing you found something.
good find steph, I didn't remember blackbird at all!
The raven was a helpful friend to Noah (THE original Noah). While in the ark awaiting the waters to abate, he sent the raven to go "to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth." (Gen 8:7) The raven helped faithful Noah at a crucial time when he needed information.
Maybe Renee will be the same for Syd and the CIA? Just a thought.
Not to burst anyone's bubble, but I have a feeling that Vaughn's return will be a dream. 10 bucks says it's just a dream. Sigh....
Now that evidence has come to light, I can see that it might be possible that Vaughn is in fact dead. But, why would the writers leave so many clues to his being alive? (Hence, the background music, the cup, Syd's lack of emotion, the very lame funeral)
I agree that its a dream and am also coming to terms with the fact that Vaughn may in fact actually be dead. But I have the same question....why are they leaving so many clues out there to give us hope. I personally will be annoyed at Sydneys lack of emotion if he ends up really being gone. As I watch previous seasons its Amazing to see how emotional she was and she is Nothing like that now. Are they just trying to show that she had been hardened by all the events in her life over the past 7 years?
I have a new bird to add to the list. It appears that Jack's new codename is "Raptor" in season 4. I looked up the definition and thought this just a little scary... "any of numerous carnivorous birds that hunt and kill other animals". Raptor's were also dinosaurs, closely related to birds apparently. Huge dinosaurs with sharp razor talons for slashing prey. Hmmm... what does all that say about Jack?
I found a couple of interesting things about mockingbirds... I wonder how they might play out with Rachel's character.
Mocking birds are "fierce protectors of their nest and environment."
Not only is the repertoire (calls) of the mockingbird impressive but its stamina is as well. Some birds can sing for hours and even throughout the night into the early morning hours.
Don't know if there's any relevance, just thought it might be of interest!
Nice Tammy. That could very well play into who Rachel becomes as an operative. I can't wait to see how she does on her own mission.
nice tammy, I forgot about Raptor! I always thought of them as dinosaurs because of Jurrasic Park :), forgot they were birds too!
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