We learn that Dororo's loving mother died in a field of red spider lilies, making it her literal grave. In episode 9 of Mappa's Dororo, Dororo states that he (she) doesn't like red spider lilies. The white flowers (which symbolize kindness and love) around them turn into red spider lilies, one after another. In this case, the red spider lily doesn't symbolize the loss of someone's life but rather the loss of kindness within Ken, who then resorted to bloodthirst and violence to defeat his enemy. Remember when Yamori captured and tortured Ken, pushing him to the limits of his sanity? That's when Rize appeared in his mind and talked to him about power-about accepting his Ghoul side. Ken Kaneki Embraces His Ghoul Side (Tokyo Ghoul) Here are some of the best examples of red spider lilies in anime. The red spider lily can also be used to foreshadow farewells and goodbyes, likely rooted in the idea of two lovers who would never get to see each other again.Īnd now, the red spider lily is a significant symbol in anime that's used to hint at some kind of heartbreaking tragedy up ahead. And since it was so often found in cemeteries, it eventually formed a reputation as the 'flower of Hell' or 'flower of death.' In some traditions and religions, it was planted on graves as tributes to the departed. The red spider lily ( Lycoris radiata) is a flowering plant that originates from Asia-most notably China and Korea, then later introduced to Japan and other countries beyond Asia. Related: Manga Iconography, Explained: 16 Common Symbols for Emotions That's the case here, as there's a history that links the red spider lily with death, tragedy, and hell. Well, manga and anime use symbolism just like any other narrative medium, and these symbols are usually rooted in traditions, legends, folklore, myths, etc. But why the red spider lily instead of, say, a black rose? Surely that would be more disturbing and evidently bad? The red spider lily (commonly called higanbana in Japanese) will sometimes appear in anime to impart ominous meaning to a scene.

Spider lily