Miraculous World : Shanghai, la légende de Ladydragon
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Miraculous World: Shanghai - The Legend of Ladydragon - Symbolism & Philosophy
Symbols & Motifs
The Prodigious
The Prodigious symbolizes immense, untamed power and the legacy of ancient magic that predates the Miraculouses. It represents a different philosophy of power, one tied to virtues (courage, honesty, etc.) embodied by the Renlings. Its use requires moral purity, as its strongest form is inaccessible to those driven by vengeance.
The Prodigious is a pendant necklace that Fei protects in her father's old temple. Hawk Moth seeks it to gain an ultimate power. Fei ultimately wears it to become Ladydragon, transforming into various animals that represent different virtues to fight Hawk Moth and the akumatized villain.
Fei's Bracelet
The bracelet is a key, both literally and figuratively. It symbolizes Fei's connection to her father and her duty as a guardian. It is the physical object that Hawk Moth needs to access the secret cave, representing how personal heritage can be exploited by evil.
The bracelet was stolen from Fei years ago, and she believes retrieving it is part of her mission. It is revealed that Hawk Moth acquired it and has been waiting for the right moment—a magical eclipse—to use it to open the cave where the Prodigious is hidden.
The Magical Eclipse
The eclipse represents a rare, opportune moment when the veil between the ordinary and magical worlds is thin. It symbolizes fate and the culmination of long-laid plans, being the specific celestial event required for Hawk Moth to access the hidden powers of the Prodigious.
Hawk Moth's entire plan hinges on the magical eclipse, an event he has apparently been waiting 15 years for. The eclipse allows him to open the secret cave with Fei's stolen bracelet, setting the stage for the film's climax.
Philosophical Questions
Can true justice be achieved through personal revenge?
The film explores this question through Fei's character arc. She is initially consumed by a desire for revenge against the people who destroyed her home and took her father. However, she learns that the greatest power of the Prodigious, the Dragon, can only be accessed by someone with a pure heart, free of vengeance. The film posits that personal vendettas corrupt the spirit and that true strength and justice come from a selfless desire to protect others, not to punish past wrongs.
What is the nature of a true family legacy?
Fei initially believes her father's legacy is the school building and the magical artifact within it. Through her journey, she realizes his true legacy was the values he taught her: courage, honesty, loyalty, and compassion. The film suggests that legacy isn't about physical possessions or places, but about the principles one lives by and passes on to the next generation. Fei truly honors her father not by reclaiming his school, but by embodying his teachings.
Core Meaning
The film explores the meaning of family, legacy, and justice. It posits that true strength comes not from revenge or singular power, but from trust, friendship, and embracing one's heritage. The director, Thomas Astruc, emphasizes the idea that values like courage, honesty, and loyalty are the foundation of heroism. Fei's journey is central to this theme, as she must learn to let go of her quest for vengeance for her father's death and instead use her power for the greater good, thereby honoring his true legacy.