Rabbit Teth
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Mark of the Shinju
There are a series of recurring patterns and designs that stand out in Naruto that signify lineage and power. You may be aware of three of these designs but I believe that there is a fourth which completes the set. There is considerable material to read on the significance of each of these symbols but I will try and provide a shorthand for what each signifies. The primary symbols have real world significance and a lot of this symbolism is borrowed and reflected in the stories being told. While it is easy to read too much real world meaning into these symbols, within the story they help to link characters and messages together. These patterns and symbols might just be decoration but the consistency with which they are used to reinforce storylines makes me think they are a sophisticated form of foreshadowing.
This is a highly speculative theory but it completes a set of three I put together. For this one I will point out the patterns and provide some speculation on what it can signify within the story – I think it could point to a pretty radical development so I run the risk of going into pretty big spoiler territory if the theory is right … you have been warned.
The Circle
The Tomoe
The Spiral
Theory – the Shinju pattern
There are a series of recurring patterns and designs that stand out in Naruto that signify lineage and power. You may be aware of three of these designs but I believe that there is a fourth which completes the set. There is considerable material to read on the significance of each of these symbols but I will try and provide a shorthand for what each signifies. The primary symbols have real world significance and a lot of this symbolism is borrowed and reflected in the stories being told. While it is easy to read too much real world meaning into these symbols, within the story they help to link characters and messages together. These patterns and symbols might just be decoration but the consistency with which they are used to reinforce storylines makes me think they are a sophisticated form of foreshadowing.
This is a highly speculative theory but it completes a set of three I put together. For this one I will point out the patterns and provide some speculation on what it can signify within the story – I think it could point to a pretty radical development so I run the risk of going into pretty big spoiler territory if the theory is right … you have been warned.
The Circle
For me the circle seems to represent the path of Ninshuu. This is predominantly a peaceful path but its proponents are far from defenseless. As a philosophy it espouses peace and co-operation but when harnessed for battle it is able to overcome great opponents. Hagoromo is the first to have spread this message and he tried to instill it in both of his sons.
Unfortunately for Hagoromo, only one of his sons carried forward the message while the other and his heirs were corrupted by BZ. Asura was able to build on this message and Naruto carries forward that legacy today.
At the pinnacle of this school is Hagoromo whose symbol is a series of concentric circles that make up the Rinnegan. This shows mastery of the Six Paths, which tie into Shinto and Buddhist messages about levels of existence. The Rinnegan can be used for great damage in the wrong hands but in it’s true form it is uncorrupted by Tomoe.
Rinnegan – Mastery of All Techniques and All 5 Elements
Even Mastery over Life and Death
One step down from the Rinnegan is the single circle which represents the Sun. While the RInnegan grants god like power the single circle imbues the user with abilities that harness the message of Ninshuu (co-operation) and the symbolism of the Sun (fire and life). Asura’s abilities have been handed down to those he has transmigrated into and is expressed in the image of a single black circle surrounded by a ring. This spot can collect and distribute Chakra. When Chakra is collected in this circle it emanates fire like the burning sun and can overwhelm abominations just by its presence.
Asura with complete chakra cloak fully activated – flaming cloak and central design of a circle
Naruto in Kyuubi mode – Flame Cloak and Circle
Hashirama – Circle (no flame cloak as he did not have the chakra of a Jinchuuriki (Naruto) or an army to borrow Chakra from (Asura)):
Abilities -
- To borrow and distribute chakra to others:
- To overwhelm WZ with sheer lifeforce and turn them into plants
Ability in Practice
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Unfortunately for Hagoromo, only one of his sons carried forward the message while the other and his heirs were corrupted by BZ. Asura was able to build on this message and Naruto carries forward that legacy today.
At the pinnacle of this school is Hagoromo whose symbol is a series of concentric circles that make up the Rinnegan. This shows mastery of the Six Paths, which tie into Shinto and Buddhist messages about levels of existence. The Rinnegan can be used for great damage in the wrong hands but in it’s true form it is uncorrupted by Tomoe.
Rinnegan – Mastery of All Techniques and All 5 Elements
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You must be registered for see links
Even Mastery over Life and Death
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One step down from the Rinnegan is the single circle which represents the Sun. While the RInnegan grants god like power the single circle imbues the user with abilities that harness the message of Ninshuu (co-operation) and the symbolism of the Sun (fire and life). Asura’s abilities have been handed down to those he has transmigrated into and is expressed in the image of a single black circle surrounded by a ring. This spot can collect and distribute Chakra. When Chakra is collected in this circle it emanates fire like the burning sun and can overwhelm abominations just by its presence.
Asura with complete chakra cloak fully activated – flaming cloak and central design of a circle
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Naruto in Kyuubi mode – Flame Cloak and Circle
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Hashirama – Circle (no flame cloak as he did not have the chakra of a Jinchuuriki (Naruto) or an army to borrow Chakra from (Asura)):
You must be registered for see links
Abilities -
- To borrow and distribute chakra to others:
You must be registered for see links
- To overwhelm WZ with sheer lifeforce and turn them into plants
You must be registered for see links
Ability in Practice
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If the Circle represents the Sun then the Tomoe represents the Moon or to be more precise the Crescent Moon. This mark embodies all the opposite traits to those embodied by Ninshuu, in many respects it could be read as the symbol of Ninjutsu. Where the circle represents strength through co-operation the tomoe represents the power to coerce. It is not inherently evil but it tends to be that which those with less pure motives strive for.
Ninjutsu
Kaguya has the most tomoe of any character and it is not an accident that right now she is the big bad:
Orochimaru marks his victims with the Tomoe:
Genjutsu – coercing the opponent to one’s will (NB the Moon)
Burning the victims down:
Cursed Seal
Oro’s Three Giant Snakes
Attire
More on Oro …Theory on where the Tomoe originate from
Ninjutsu
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Kaguya has the most tomoe of any character and it is not an accident that right now she is the big bad:
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Orochimaru marks his victims with the Tomoe:
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You must be registered for see links
Genjutsu – coercing the opponent to one’s will (NB the Moon)
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Burning the victims down:
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Cursed Seal
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Oro’s Three Giant Snakes
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Attire
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More on Oro …Theory on where the Tomoe originate from
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The Spiral is a stage of power that we haven’t really seen in action yet. The Spiral is paid homage to in many designs but the actual practitioners who first wielded it and the ones who are going to inherit its power have not been shown using it yet.
As far as I can make out the Spiral is the power inherited by each of Hagoromo’s Sons. Indra in his early years is shown to have had the Sharingan. However in later years when he fought with his brother his Dojutsu took on the design of the Spiral.
Indra with 2 Spiral Eyes
I imagine that Asura was marked with the Spiral on his chest just as Naruto took on the same Chakra cloak:
NB here the Spiral is crossed with a Tomoe because Naruto is a Jinchuuriki
Interestingly I think that the Uzumaki shrine points to Kaguya having had three Spiral Eyes – notice how the hair and three eyes placement match up as do the souls trapped underneath her:
The Spiral has been passed down as the emblem of the Uzumaki and is the foundation of their most powerful Seal:
Theory on Spiral Zetsu
As far as I can make out the Spiral is the power inherited by each of Hagoromo’s Sons. Indra in his early years is shown to have had the Sharingan. However in later years when he fought with his brother his Dojutsu took on the design of the Spiral.
Indra with 2 Spiral Eyes
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I imagine that Asura was marked with the Spiral on his chest just as Naruto took on the same Chakra cloak:
You must be registered for see links
NB here the Spiral is crossed with a Tomoe because Naruto is a Jinchuuriki
You must be registered for see links
Interestingly I think that the Uzumaki shrine points to Kaguya having had three Spiral Eyes – notice how the hair and three eyes placement match up as do the souls trapped underneath her:
You must be registered for see links
The Spiral has been passed down as the emblem of the Uzumaki and is the foundation of their most powerful Seal:
You must be registered for see links
Theory on Spiral Zetsu
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Within the story one pattern has jumped out at me that seems to tie certain characters together and may explain the process whereby Kaguya first obtained her power.
The pattern is first seen as far as the timeline is concerned in the sprouting fruit of the Shinju. Essentially it is a sort of ribbon pattern or ladder design at the core of the Shinju fruit.
This design is also exhibited in Kaguya’s hairstyle. If you look at the parting of Kaguya’s hair it shows the same pattern as the Shinju fruit.
Kimimaro has the same hairstyle perhaps because he belongs to the Kaguya Clan – he also has her pale skin and forehead markings
It also turns up in the ceremonial dress of the Kazekage
As you can see the design is pretty distinctive and it seems to turn up on a lot of the more significant characters. I think the starting point for the design comes from the Shinju Fruit, that Kaguya then developed that pattern partly as a result of eating the fruit and that lots of powerful ninja since have all incorporated the design into their look.
But that’s not the only place that the design appears. One place it turns up is on Samehada’s hilt. What is so significant about that is that to all intents and purposes Samehada operates in exactly the same way as the Shinju in Infinite Tsukuyomi seems to.
Markings on the hilt:
Similarities in abilities-
-The Shinju has roots that absorb chakra:
…so does Samehada and it is wrapped in the same way that the victims of the Shinju are
-The Shinju is the source of all Chakra
Samehada can suck a Jinchuuriki dry
or resupply one
and Samehada’s bearer acquires the power of “A Bijuu without a Tail”
Eating the fruit of the Shinju left a mark on Kaguya
Samehada fusing with Kisame leaves the same mark on Kisame’s Arm
Samehada is sentient-
It tries to protect B
…and it cries at Kisame’s self sacrifice
also note this cryptic statement that Samehada has more than just an affinity for the Hachibi’s chakra…
When the Juubi expands its roots to chase after shinobi, its first target is B but is that as the Hachibi reasons because he has chakra or is the Juubi stretching for Samehada?
Is the Shinju simply trying to take back fruit that was stolen from it? (Bottom Right)
Angry Mini-Me (Top Right)
We don’t know much about Samehada or its origins. It is regarded as the strongest of all the weapons carried by the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist but it is not a sword it is a living creature. Suigetsu has spent a lifetime trying to take the sword. Are/were the Seven Swordsmen just its bodyguards?
Suigetsu's Goal
I don't know whether Samehada somehow is the original Shinju (having lost its chakra) or whether it is one of the Shinju's former fruit turned into a sapling but I think there is a strong chance it is related to the Shinju. What is notable right now is that B is MIA at a time where they need to unlock how to undo the rampant Juubi's plant. I'm waiting to see what B can bring to the party, perhaps Samehada holds the key.
The pattern is first seen as far as the timeline is concerned in the sprouting fruit of the Shinju. Essentially it is a sort of ribbon pattern or ladder design at the core of the Shinju fruit.
You must be registered for see links
This design is also exhibited in Kaguya’s hairstyle. If you look at the parting of Kaguya’s hair it shows the same pattern as the Shinju fruit.
You must be registered for see links
Kimimaro has the same hairstyle perhaps because he belongs to the Kaguya Clan – he also has her pale skin and forehead markings
You must be registered for see links
It also turns up in the ceremonial dress of the Kazekage
You must be registered for see links
As you can see the design is pretty distinctive and it seems to turn up on a lot of the more significant characters. I think the starting point for the design comes from the Shinju Fruit, that Kaguya then developed that pattern partly as a result of eating the fruit and that lots of powerful ninja since have all incorporated the design into their look.
But that’s not the only place that the design appears. One place it turns up is on Samehada’s hilt. What is so significant about that is that to all intents and purposes Samehada operates in exactly the same way as the Shinju in Infinite Tsukuyomi seems to.
Markings on the hilt:
You must be registered for see links
Similarities in abilities-
-The Shinju has roots that absorb chakra:
You must be registered for see links
…so does Samehada and it is wrapped in the same way that the victims of the Shinju are
You must be registered for see links
-The Shinju is the source of all Chakra
You must be registered for see links
Samehada can suck a Jinchuuriki dry
You must be registered for see links
or resupply one
You must be registered for see links
and Samehada’s bearer acquires the power of “A Bijuu without a Tail”
You must be registered for see links
Eating the fruit of the Shinju left a mark on Kaguya
You must be registered for see links
Samehada fusing with Kisame leaves the same mark on Kisame’s Arm
You must be registered for see links
Samehada is sentient-
It tries to protect B
You must be registered for see links
…and it cries at Kisame’s self sacrifice
You must be registered for see links
also note this cryptic statement that Samehada has more than just an affinity for the Hachibi’s chakra…
You must be registered for see links
When the Juubi expands its roots to chase after shinobi, its first target is B but is that as the Hachibi reasons because he has chakra or is the Juubi stretching for Samehada?
You must be registered for see links
Is the Shinju simply trying to take back fruit that was stolen from it? (Bottom Right)
You must be registered for see links
Angry Mini-Me (Top Right)
You must be registered for see links
We don’t know much about Samehada or its origins. It is regarded as the strongest of all the weapons carried by the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist but it is not a sword it is a living creature. Suigetsu has spent a lifetime trying to take the sword. Are/were the Seven Swordsmen just its bodyguards?
Suigetsu's Goal
You must be registered for see links
I don't know whether Samehada somehow is the original Shinju (having lost its chakra) or whether it is one of the Shinju's former fruit turned into a sapling but I think there is a strong chance it is related to the Shinju. What is notable right now is that B is MIA at a time where they need to unlock how to undo the rampant Juubi's plant. I'm waiting to see what B can bring to the party, perhaps Samehada holds the key.
