#moari

I have come to a realization recently that I really like Jangmo-o. I remember liking Jangmo-o when I first saw it, but fell in love with Salandit and Salazzle. Ironically while Jangmo-o and it's evolution line are named after the mythical Mo'o Dragon of Hawaii, Salandit and Salazzle are more of an accurate actual representation of the Mo'o: Shapeshifting Trickster Lizard Spirits who are all Female and use their powers to seduce men and lead them back to their lairs where they dominate them.

The Jangmo-o line may not be actual Mo'o, but they are Polynesian Haka War Dancing Toa Warrior who happen to be based on...an Ankylosaur mixed with a Theropod Dinosaur. Toa are Brave Warriors of Polynesian culture who embody strength and courage, and a Haka is a fierce war dance which Polynesian Warriors would use to hype themselves up and empower themselves for battle.

Mana is also a concept that comes from Polynesian cultures. Usually Mana is used to mean "Magic" or a measurement of Magic like in video games where a character has Mana Points to gauge how much energy they can expend. Traditionally Mana is a supernatural force, anyone and anything can have Mana but people can cultivate it as a source of power and authority, allowing people with mastery over their mana to exert power over people and over nature. Dragons are often inherently powerful magical creatures that can exert their will and power over people and nature, giving them a commanding presence that can intimidate other beings who are not strong enough to match a dragon.

Cultural Aesthetics:

New Zealand ~ Maori

(via Landfall in Unknown Seas)