The White Mage’s Colours (and what they may really mean)

I’m sure a lot of people have realised that in the early FF games, the Black Mage’s design is something akin to a cross between a general fantasy style wizard, Orko from the fondly remembered 80’s cartoon He-man, and the Jawas from the Star Wars triliogy, but what about the colours of the White Mage’s robe? Why White with red triangles?

I wondered about this for long time after I first played FFI, until one day I was reading Gilles Poitras’ excellent book ‘The Anime Companion’, when I noticed a listing for ‘Aka To Shiro’, or ‘Red and White’. Basically, in Japan, the colours red and white are often used together for decorations during happy occiasions. Therefore, it seemed interesting that the colours of the White Mage’s robe in the FF series are white with red triangles (the triangle is also meant to hold mystical powers in many religions and mythologies e.g. the Holy Trinity).

Also, it’s also interesting to note because those colours are meant to promote happiness, they may therefore symbolise goodness and purity as an opposite force to sadness and evil. I just thought that it would be interesting enough to post here, so what do you think about this?

Today’s Classic FF Quote:

"No one touches my princess! LIGHT WARRIORS?! You impertient fools! I Garland will knock you all down!" Garland, trying unsuccessfuly to intimadate your party, as well as treating Princess Sara like an object, FFI.

Cool, I never knew the colors might be symbolic. I just figured "white mage = white robe" and that the red fringe was there to keep her from looking like she was in the KKK or something. :uh?:

I could be wrong but I always thought the black mage was modeled after Odin. Norse myth says that when Odin wanders the world pretending to be a mortal, he disguises himself as an old man wearing a wide-brimmed hat to hide his face and (IIRC) a blue cloak. (I may be making that up about the blue cloak. I’ll have to check the books…) Only thing about that that doesn’t fit the Black Mage is that you can clearly see his face. (and both of his eyes. Odin was missing an eye and used his hat to keep that from giving away his identity. Because, like, how many other one-eyed old men with big hats and blue cloaks are there? :rolleyes: )

Fujin, you can’t clearly see the Black Mage’s face :p

You can, however, see a Black WIZARD’s face. It only has one eye, too, thanks to the profile of the face. But, then, no hat or shadowy thingy. So either way, we lose.

im having trouble remembering, but did the white wizard have the red triangles on their robe?

Originally posted by MasteroftheObvious
Fujin, you can’t clearly see the Black Mage’s face :p

Well, you can see his eyes.

Unless he’s wearing a disguise. (http://www2.nuklearpower.com/comic/071.htm) 😀

I thought the Wizards all looked the same, no matter what their magic type was, wether it was White, Black or Red, with only colour differentation to show what ‘job’ they were. They looked better in their ‘mage’ form myself. White Mages rule the absolute earth, Black Mages are the fan favourite, and the Red Mage is always the unassuming one who is always good for pulling out a sword and carving up some Imp flesh!

And interesting Odin reference too Fujin. I forgot about how Odin was sometimes depicted with a wide-brimmed hat, but I still remembered his one eye. but maybe the Black Mage’s glowing eyes were meant to make them look more frightening and intimadating, like a demon – definetely the antithesis to the White Mage.

Today’s Classic FF Quote:

"Let’s save, KUPO!!" 90% of the moogles you encounter in FFIX.

Originally posted by Enkidoh
White Mages rule the absolute earth

You like white mages? Who could’ve guessed? :rolleyes: 😉