I'm deep in the midst my annual wintertime re-watch of the series, so what spews out? Drunken analysis, of course! However, unlike the majority of my inebriated ramblings, I believe this one to have some actual substance. SKU incorporates many elements of the classic sacral and "hag" mythologies. Most of this analysis comes from the context of pre-Christian Northern European mythology, specifically Irish, so of course it has limitations. I will discuss how

For those of you unfamiliar with the sacral myth (also known as the sovereignty myth) archetype, it's essentially the classic "noble knight/powerful warrior/stud" proves himself worthy to marry the beautiful and fertile princess. However, in many mythological systems, the fairytale has deeper connotations of dominion over the land and religious right. The woman symbolizes the lush power of the land itself. When she is without a virile male, she descends into decay and withered old age. In many Celtic myths, for instance, Ireland is personified in the form of a treacherous old hag called a badb (often amusingly described with a "lower beard descending past her knees"). Only when a worthy warrior conquers numerous obstacles does she transform into the young princess. Most importantly, her transformation occurs at the moment of sexual intercourse, which essentially "cures" the haghood. This is often paralleled by the sudden blossoming of the land. Male virility causes formerly barren wastes to turn fruitful and, as scholar Lisa M. Bitel describes, "tame war goddesses, beautify and domesticate hags, and reduce warrior women to docile concubines."

The symbols of this union are most commonly the sword and chalice, representing masculine and feminine essences respectively. For example, the eponymous goddess of Ireland, Ériu, presents the warrior Conn with a chalice to indicate his sovereignty. Perhaps the best-known case is found in the Arthurian legends of Britain. Arthur must first draw upon his own divine right to draw a sword that proves his masculine dominance, then proceeds to obsessively seek the holy Sangraal. Although Geoffrey of Monmouth (who popularly canonized the tales) associated a strictly Christian interpretation on the meaning of the grail, chances are it's basis was in pagan sacral mythology.

In SKU, there are fairly obvious references to this symbolism. Obtainment of the passive Rose Bride, determined through a series of distinctly masculine tests, eventually supposedly leads to sovereignty over the floating castle. The worthy prince, Utena, is initially granted the sword of Dios through a pre-determined right (having been selected as a duelist at a very young age). While there is no chalice, there are many representations of Anthy's sacral femininity. In order to imbue the sword with greater power, she literally takes the sword into herself, thus echoing the receptive significance of the grail.

But just as the series develops and Anthy is revealed to be far less passive, so too does the hag mythology reflect a much more complex politic between the two genders. Just as the badb could bestow divine power upon a worthy mate, she could also be a terrifying force of magic and dominance. When unconquered, she represents the uncontrollable and wild aspect of nature - the unknown and dark forests, the wild and treacherous sea, and the fields that refuse to yield and thus case starvation. The Morrigan, an Irish goddess of war and death, manifests in the form of crows that feed upon broken bodies. In her battle of wills with the god-hero Cu Chulainn, she takes the form of a bull and a river of blood; all attributes of nature rather than man-made force. Ultimately, after he refuses to couple with her, she assists in his eventual downfall. Bitel writes of these witch figures: "To lose them was to lose power....to lose control over their sexuality was to endanger a patrilineage. Hence the sagas' trope of the violent women raped."

Anthy has a strong symbolic correlation to the hag figure. She is directly referred to as the witch that causes the patron figure's ultimate downfall. Again and again, she displays influence through corruption and treachery. Her power is passive and thus feminine. With Utena, Akio, Saionji, Miki, and many others...she, in a sense, castrates their ambitions and undermines their intended ascent to the castle. To Akio, who obsesses over almost purely masculine expressions of dominance, she embodies the natural and unknown. Even when she is penetrated and in a sense raped by the million swords of hate, she remains internally unmoved. She is as inaccessible as the castle and it's sovereignty. In order to claim what he perceives as his right, he sets up a game of sacral determination in order to secure his surrogate prince. Ultimately, his intent to control and domesticate the hag with which he is locked in an eternal power struggle.

Really really good resource on this topic: Land of Women. Any thoughts? Arguments? Ideas?