sooo... I know you said this a while back, but can I get you to elaborate on how Anaxagoras is Odin-coded? I'd really love to hear what you're thinking! 💗💗💗
HIIIII EM!! Sorry I took a while to respond- so while my information regarding Norse mythology isn’t as good, I did glance thru my old books and the net too so I hope I can answer to your question well even though I fear my elaboration will be weak
So Hsr loves tarot cards for sure- be it Black Swan or Gallagher himself (xiii - death) as well as nihility (device ix - hermit) the numbers symbolize major arcana and from the cards’ meanings alone give us information regarding the characters too-
Anaxagoras, in the book we fill with Mem as we progress through Amphoreus, is depicted as the hanged man (xii) a card that symbolizes self sacrifice to cut is simple- he is there not as a punishment, it is a direct result of his choices- much like Anaxagoras using himself as bait to lure the flame reaver as of 3.1
The Hanged Man as a card comes from Odin of Norse mythology but why? Odin, considered as head of Aesir, is a god with many things attributed to him- poetry, war, death, healing, the runic alphabet, his twin ravens that gather him information from all around, wisdom- but one thing about him is, like everyone in norse mythology imo, he is a smart, and cunning man, deciptive, and highly associated with knowledge-- and his sacrifice for that sake.
To spreedrun- the tree ("the world/cosmic tree") Yggdrasil is The tree that connects all the worlds as accepted/believed in norse mythology- it's not clearly said that this is the tree Odin picked, but from ethymology and considering its significance, many people believe it was this one and not just any tree. I think what stands true is the act itself and the sacrifice be it symbolic or literal.
(in the prose edda) Mimir is said to drink from the well of mimir, gaining knowledge, there it is also stated that the well is located beneath one of the roots of Yggdrasil. Usually, Mimir is/was known as a figure for his wisdow unparalleled amongst all until a certain point of events.
Odin, who wishes to drink from the well to achieve the ultimate/cosmic wisdom, goes to the well, (in disguise) to trick its guardian Mimir. When he asks to drink from the well, Mimir says that he must make a sacrifice: To give up his eye in order to drink from the well. So Odin gouges his eye out, drops it into the well and Mimir fills the drinking horn from the water there and offers it to Odin once the sacrifice has been done. (I am trying to find more clear information regarding this part but with mythology there are never clear things) Then it's said he wounds himself with his spear and hangs from the tree for nine days and nine nights- gaining wisdom of the other worlds and to understand the runes. (Nine is a sacred number and quite repetitive in norse mythology hence the timing i believe^^)
Some argue the loss of the eye as well as the hanging can be fully symbolical- To lose one of your senses partially in order to truly see things beyond just senses- the ultimate sacrifice to attain knowledge (iirc amongst the wisdow he gains, Odin sees how he is prophecied to die too but i might be wrong- again norse mythology is not my strongest suit)
In his card, Anaxagoras is shown to be hanging from a tree (the grove) appearing nonchalant, like the tarot card- Implying it is his choice. like his expy Su, Anaxagoras is shown thus far to care for people and to lead them towards a brighter future, to educate and help them. As his position as a scholar, and as seen in the cutscenes and inbetween conversations, despite his identity as a man of education, he can engage in fights- maybe a nod to odin's identity as a warrior too.
(I do think him being like a shell barely alive as said by Cerces and shown in his e6 might be a nod at mythology too but again i do think p much every heir in amphoreus save for Phainon is foreshadowed to die so it's not that significant rn. buuut again, iirc some do say while he hung from the tree, Odin was considered that so perhaps to give up one's life, soul, essence etc... to obtain the absolute knowledge of the worlds beyond their knowledge. there are hi3 players who find the field in his ultimate resembling a certain location/space related to Su but with my limited knowledge regarding hi3 i cannot make a comment on that one- although wouldn't be surprised.)
And most obvious one ofc but Odin is often pictured with his left eye missing, and guess which one Anaxagoras does not have :-)
i did ramble a bit too much and i think this is all over the place but i hope this was somewhat helpful!!!!
