ヘルシング アルティメット
"The Bird of the Hermes is my name, eating my wings to make me tame."
Hellsing Ultimate - Symbolism & Philosophy
Symbols & Motifs
The Bird of Hermes
Symbolizes self-imposed restraint and transformation. Derived from the Ripley Scroll, the phrase 'The Bird of Hermes is my name, eating my wings to make me tame' represents Alucard’s power being bound by the Hellsing family.
Written on Alucard's coffin and recited during his Level 0 release, it signifies the moment he sheds his 'tame' exterior to reveal his true, chaotic form.
Silver Cross and Holy Water
Represents faith as a weapon and the institutionalized power of the Church. It often symbolizes the thin, jagged line between divine righteousness and religious fanaticism.
Used predominantly by Father Alexander Anderson and the Iscariot organization in their crusade against 'heathens' and 'monsters'.
Red Cloak and Sunglasses
Symbolizes identity and the concealment of a predator. The vibrant red mimics the blood Alucard craves, while the glasses hide eyes that have seen centuries of slaughter.
Alucard's iconic attire remains consistent until his 'Level 0' form, where he reverts to his historical appearance as Vlad the Impaler.
Helena's Nail
Represents the ultimate sacrifice of humanity for divinity. It is a relic that grants god-like power at the cost of one's soul, turning the user into a 'Monster of God'.
Father Anderson uses it in his final confrontation with Alucard, effectively becoming the very thing he sought to destroy.
Philosophical Questions
What defines a human being?
Explored through The Major, who is almost entirely machine but claims his 'will' makes him more human than Alucard, who has the form of a man but the soul of a monster.
Is immortality a gift or a curse?
Seen through Alucard’s deep melancholy and his respect for humans like Integra and the Queen who accept their aging and death with grace.
Can destruction ever be 'beautiful'?
The series presents extreme violence through a highly aestheticized lens, challenging the viewer to find beauty in the 'crimson' of war while simultaneously depicting its horrific cost.
Core Meaning
At its heart, Hellsing Ultimate explores the paradox of humanity and monstrosity. The series posits that being human is not a matter of biological status but of will, mortality, and the refusal to succumb to despair. Through Alucard, a monster who yearns for a human worthy of killing him, the creators suggest that the greatest tragedy is not death, but the abandonment of one's humanity for the sake of power. The story serves as a meditation on duty and resolve, contrasting characters who cling to their human spirit despite physical transformation against those who remain biologically human but have become monsters through their actions and lack of empathy.