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hey!! welcome to my xiaolin side blog :)) i use he/they pronouns
- i write stuff on ao3 - currently writing metallic figment - i do the draw (mostly shitposts)
- #metallic figment - stuff about my fic - #fic update - updates and wips on my fic - #my art - all the art i posted
#JD , #soul , #lian
More stuff below the cut
One thing I’ve been curious about is the bottom left symbol on the Shen Gong Wu scroll. This one:
And what it could mean for the Shen Gong Wu itself and, well, I found images of as many of the Wu entries as I could and I present you with translations:
熊 = Bear = mikado arms, fist of tebigong,
龍 = Dragon = ring of the nine dragons, Fountain of Hui, Lunar Locket, shroud of Shadows, Sapphire Dragon, Longi Kite, Shard of Lightning, Sands of Time, Ying-Yo-Yo (NOTE: Yang Yo-Yo’s page is blank), WuShan Geyser, Moby Morpher, Kuzusu Atom, Rio Reverso, Ruby of Ramses,
蛇 = Snake = Mind reader conch, Sphere of Yun, serpents tail, Lotus Twister,
猴 = Monkey = Mantis flip coin
蠍 = Scorpion = emperor scorpion, Manchurian Musca
豹 = Leopard = Eye of Dashi, Sword of the Storm, Crouching Cougar, Shadow Slicer
鹿 = Deer = Helmet of Jong
蝶 = Butterfly = Changing Chopsticks, Wings of Tinabi, Shadow of Fear, woozy shooter, Denshi Bunny, Zing Zom-Bone
象 = Elephant = Two-Ton Tunic
鷹 = Eagle = Tangle Web Comb, Falcons Eye, Crystal Glasses, Reversing Mirror
鯨 = Whale = orb of Tornami
螳螂 = mantis = Glove of Jisaku, Fancy Feet,
? 虫 = insect = Black Beetle (I get the feeling this is supposed to be beetles as well like ants in the pants but whoever drew the scroll didn’t know what they were doing…)
甲蟲 = beetles = ants in the pants
蜘蛛 = Spider = Moonstone locust
牛 = Cow = Cannon Blaster
——
Personally (and I wish I had translated this earlier for the sake of fanfics) but bet is on these either being 1) the type of spirit that is trapped in the Wu (ex: a monkey spirit is what was trapped to create the mantis flip coin) or 2) potentially the symbol is more just to highlight a specific characteristic of the Wu. (Ex: the eagle character has two Wu that relate to vision and sight. However how the tangle web comb fits into that… idk)
Either way! Just some interesting notes for people to use as they wish! Also below the cuts are the unknowns since I couldn’t find a scroll image for them
Funny that you mentioned this because I've actually been busy listing down the Chinese characters on my recent rewatch during my spare time, to the point where I had to put down a spreadsheet lol
It's still not complete yet bc I havent gone thru the rest of S3 but here's a link to it if anyone's curious
As for my own theories of what this could all mean, I originally thought that they're supposed to be based on the Chinese zodiac animals. Because for the original concept of the show (look up "Celestial Rings of Naja"), it was supposed to be about the protagonist gathering powers from the zodiac animals in order to defeat this one powerful demon.
But upon listing more and more of the animals, it seems to be not the case since there are other non-zodiac animals in the list. Which then leads to another theory of mine, that this list could be all the animals that participated in the contest for the placement in the Chinese calendar. Because in the actual folklore, there was supposed to be a cat between the rat and the ox. But the rat betrayed the cat and caused it to be disqualified, so the cat couldn't get a placement on the calendar.
My guess is, Dashi must've came in contact with the animals that participated in the contest and "borrowed" some parts of their qi or something in order to create the Shen Gong Wus.
That's my two cents anyway. Sorry for hijacking your post, just wanted to share what I've been thinking about the Chinese characters.
Haha isn't it so interesting that regimes in Chinese history have had a 250-year upper limit before needing a hard reset of some kind in the form of rebellions or capital sackings. Also ANYONE can receive the new Mandate of Heaven and become the new emperor, even peasants.
(Some dynasties will appear to have lasted like 400 or 700 years upon surface-level Googling, but look deeper and you'll find that they're always split up, like Western / Eastern Han or Western / Eastern Zhou)
At the very least, in the case of Xiaolin Showdown some liberties were taken where exact time periods weren't the most major concern in historical clothing styles so much as making character designs distinct and recognizable in a certain way to a Western audience. So a decent amount of anachronism can be forgivable imo. I think there's actually a production note/script thing floating around that Dashi's outfit was meant to be a reference to a Kung Fu thing. And I think Chase's Good clothes were meant to be evocative of a Tai Chi practitioners clothes, though that one is just my guess.
Here’s my issue with TV studios trying to make content appeal to western audiences, by doing so, they’re kinda looking down on their viewers. I don’t think that children wouldn’t be able to wrap their minds around the idea that people in a certain dynasty or culture dress differently than now. I do appreciate the work the character designers have done on XS, but if they had the funds and freedom to do more extensive research into the history and culture it would have added to the narrative. Plus I just happen to like historical dramas so the idea appeals to me
Actually, on that note, when I watched XS for the first time I thought Wuya’s dress had been ripped as a result of being trapped in the box all those years. That could’ve been a fun twist. We see her in Time After Time and realize just how far she had fallen.
I didn’t know about the Kung Fu/Tai Chi references. That’s a nice touch. Thanks for letting me know.
I guess if you look at Chase, Dashi and Guan side by side, the only one actually wearing a variation of a Shaolin Monk outfit is Guan. Curious that Dashi, despite being a Grandmaster Dragon dresses differently, like he’s not exactly allied to the temple. Neither is Chase, but we know he’s gonna turn his back on the Xiaolin side 🤔
First off, that is a really cool looking outfit for Wuya
Second, I found the script note thing for Dashi
Admittedly the uniform design for tai chi and kung fu are pretty loose, considering most martial arts disciplines I think mostly just advocate for clothes easy to move around in unless there's a uniform for a specific school. But it's still fairly fitting.
Chase and Dashi in general seem a bit more of loose spirits in general to the point they don't seem the type to follow general Shaolin monk clothing looks. So it kinda makes sense in that way that Guan the more steadfast type dresses in a way more fitting to their temple lifestyle.
So like, Chase’s monster form is a mix between a Komodo Dragon, aligator, and an iguana.
And I originally thought Guan’s monster form was part scorpion, but nope. That there is all shrimp, crab, and maybe a little horned lizard.
And here I am, drawing crickets, centipedes, scorpions, and praying mantises.
Y'all tell me what combination is more terrifying.
chinese youzhisan油纸伞(oil paper umbrella) by 许家油纸伞(Handmade youzhisan are super sturdy and durable. Just take them out on rainy days, and the more you use them, the better they get. They even hold up better in heavy rain and strong winds compared to modern umbrellas. That’s because they’re made with this full-thread weaving yarn technique, 满线穿纱man xian chuan sha.)
Flowing asthetic in chinese xianxia and wuxia culture(novels, movies, dramas)
"上善若水" (Shàng shàn ruò shuǐ) is a profound concept from ancient Chinese philosophy, particularly from the text Dao De Jing (道德经) by Laozi. It translates to "The highest virtue is like water. " The idea is that water embodies the ideal qualities of humility, flexibility, and adaptability. Water flows effortlessly, nourishes everything without seeking recognition, and overcomes obstacles by yielding and finding its way around them. This concept reflects the Daoist ideal of living in harmony with nature and embracing a gentle, flowing approach to life.
In ancient Chinese culture, this philosophy deeply influenced not only thought and behavior but also art, literature, and even fashion. In the context of costume design for ancient Chinese fantasy (仙侠 Xiānxiá) and martial arts (武侠 Wǔxiá) genres, the concept of "上善若水" is often reflected in the flowing, elegant designs of the clothing. Here’s how:
Fluid Silhouettes: The hanfu-based costume often feature long, loose robes with wide sleeves and soft, draping fabrics that move gracefully with the wearer. This mimics the natural flow of water, creating a sense of harmony and elegance. When a character moves or when the wind blows, the fabric ripples and sways, enhancing their ethereal, almost otherworldly presence.
Symbolism of Adaptability: Just as water adapts to its surroundings, the flowing garments symbolize the characters' ability to navigate challenges with grace and flexibility. In Xiānxiá and Wǔxiá stories, protagonists often embody these virtues, and their clothing visually reinforces their inner qualities.
Connection to Nature: The soft, natural lines of the costumes reflect the Daoist reverence for nature. Characters in these genres are often depicted as being in tune with the natural world, and their attire, light, airy, and fluid—echoes this connection.
Aesthetic Appeal: The flowing fabrics not only carry philosophical meaning but also create stunning visual effects. When characters fight, fly, or simply walk through a scene, their garments move like water, adding drama and beauty to the storytelling. This is especially iconic in scenes where characters are depicted in mid-air or in slow motion, with their robes billowing in the wind.
The concept of "上善若水" (Shàng shàn ruò shuǐ) has left a lasting mark on the design of ancient Chinese costumes, particularly in Xiānxiá and Wǔxiá genres. The flowing, water-like quality of the clothing not only looks beautiful but also carries deep symbolic meaning, reflecting the ideals of harmony, adaptability, and grace. When the wind blows, these garments come alive, creating a mesmerizing visual that captures the essence of this ancient philosophy.
is this how 'saving omi' went
saw this post and was like 'it kinda gives chase & omi vibes'
A fairly good general reference video about historical/traditional fashion of various cultures and peoples (including hanfu, but not just hanfu) that have been part of Chinese history:
The video is arranged in chronological order, below are the timestamps:
**Note: as mentioned by the OP, due to the lack of suriviving physical artifacts for some time periods/cultures/kingdoms/dynasties, there is a certain amount of speculation in this video based on other artifacts/records like wall murals, paintings, figurines, and historical records.
made an oc relationship chart template for xiaolin showdown characters for fun! feel free to use, credit isn't necessary but it is highly appreciated 👍🏻
oh and btw, wanted to add more characters onto this chart but i forgot that there're actually a lot more characters in the show and trying to add them all would mean you'd get a weird looking layout. so i opted to just focus on the main cast instead.
you still get one free space to add another character (maybe even your oc who knows!)
