Topic surrounding Shenhua (Possible Spoilers)

[Urbangeek]

Hello guys,

I would like to hear some of your theories on the mysterious character known as Shenhua Ling.
Firstly what do you believe the different images of Shenhua depict?
Are they of Shenhua herself or Shenhua's ancestors?


Image one Shehua forming some form of energy sphere?




Image two Shenhua in her princes form? is this the form she needs to posses to control the Pheonix?



Image three Shenhua on a horse? is this one of Shenhua ancestors or Shenhua in a different outfit?



Image four Shenhua picking crops is this something Shenhua does in her day to day life? or is this once again one of her ancestors?



Image five Shenhua again in some form of noble outfit?



If Shenhua can transform into her ancestors or can remember her ancestors do you think where Shenmue 2 was left of at this point is she aware of these powers she posses?
If she is aware do you believe she has control over these powers or even understands them?
Secondly do you believe different ancestors possess different skills and powers?

I personally believe the story of Shenmue will be some form of cycle, I believe every 500 years or so there is some form of reincarnation of Landi, Ryo and Shenhua.
And these images show some of the previous reincarnation's of Shenhua.

I believe sometime in the future we will have some insight into the previous versions of Ryo and Lan Di as well.

[Himuro]

I believe she is reincarnated.

I believe your interpretation that Ryo, Lan Di, and Shenhua being in an eternal loop of existence, always fighting seems to fit within the series. Given that they are all virtual - maybe even literal - forms of Chinese Gods and representations of Chinese cosmology - Shenhua, phoenix; Ryo, tiger; Lan Di, dragon - it is more than possible that you are on the money here.

I suggest reading Chinese cosmology, astrology, myths, and some Taoism. All of them, especially the nature of the Yin and Yang - which is central to Taijitu and Taoism at large - is a large element of the series.

Some basic reading material:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Symbols_%28China%29

"The Four Symbols (Chinese: 四象; pinyin: Sì Xiàng) are four mythological creatures in the Chinese constellations. They are the Azure Dragon (Chinese: 青龙; pinyin: Qīng Lóng), of the East, the Vermilion Bird (Chinese: 朱雀; pinyin: Zhū Què) of the South, the White Tiger (Chinese: 白虎; pinyin: Baí Hǔ) of the West, and the Black Turtle (Chinese: 玄乌; pinyin: Xuán Wū) of the North. Each one of them represents a direction and a season, and each has its own individual characteristics and origins. Symbolically and as part of spiritual and religious belief, they have been culturally important in China, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan, and also appear in many modern adaptations such as manga, and anime."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yin_and_yang
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoism
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_astrology

In Chinese astrology, pay attention to things like the Big Dipper.

[johnvivant]

clearly certain events and people from the ancient past have some significance to the story, but the precise nature of link is still a big mystery.

https://youtu.be/5o4MHjEdYpQ?t=8m19s

'shenhua is actually a real person. However Shenhua has the ability to 'remember' her ancestors... How to say, she has the faculty to link to them.' - yu suzuki

i did a really long post ages ago with my theories, looking specifically at the shenmue online cg. i might revise it at some point.
wall of text warning!
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=46733