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| Mortal Kombat: Devastation |
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| Contributing cultural material |
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| POSTED Saturday, July 28, 2007 06:06:40 PM |
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The Mortal Kombat mythology borrows heavily from multiple sources, primarily (but not limited to) Asian cultures, particularly Chinese and Japanese religions, languages and martial arts. Examples include the following:
Raiden, who is the God of Thunder in Mortal Kombat, takes his name from the Japanese Raijin (meaning "thunder and lightning"), which is the name of a demon-god in Japanese mythology. The shinto Raiden is usually depicted as a man-beast with red flesh, sharp teeth, long hair and a large drum for making thunder. His appearance is however almost similar to a Buddhist/Taoist god in the game. The Mortal Kombat Raiden's trademark glowing eyes and straw hat, however, appear to have been inspired by the Three Storms in the film Big Trouble in Little China. In the early console releases and associated media, he was also named Rayden. This alternate spelling was originally used by Acclaim Entertainment to avoid lawsuit from Seibu Kaihatsu who had a series of scrolling shooters entitled Raiden.
Fujin (Mortal Kombat 4) is named after the Japanese wind god F{jin. The mythological Fujin is Raiden's brother and the two are two of the oldest Shinto gods. Like Raiden, he however looks like a Buddhist/Taoist god.
Shujinko (Mortal Kombat: Deception) is from the Japanese shujinkou (meaning "protagonist"). His character is somewhat seen to be the mentor of Sun Wuukong.
Damashi (Mortal Kombat: Deception) is from the Japanese tamashi (meaning "spirit").
Hotaru (Mortal Kombat: Deception) is from the Japanese hotaru (meaning "firefly").
Kenshi (Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance) is from the Japanese kenshi (meaning "swordsman").
The White Lotus Society to which Liu Kang belonged may have been named after the secret White Lotus Society which existed in China during the Yuan Dynasty and Ming Dynasty. A white lotus is traditionally symbolic of death as well as purity. This is also seen as a Buddhist society.
The Lin Kuei, an assassins' clan that Sub-Zero hails from is a secretive Chinese cult that was known for its espionage, thievery, and living in the wildernesses of China. They were called "Lin Kuei" or "forest demons" because they lived in the forests and were known to terrorize nearby villages in order to steal goods and items for the benefits of their clan. It was said that they were one of the causes that helped developed the art of Ninjutsu in Japan. Some of the elements may have been used in Takeda's departure from the Lin Kuei to set up his own ninja clan in Japan, the Shirai Ryu. Also, The Lin Kuei are commonly thought as a ninja clan, something impossible, since the Lin Kuei are Chinese, as said on Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero, by himself: "I am not a ninja. I am Lin Kuei! Scorpion was a ninja."
Kano's Black Dragon clan may be based loosely on the historical Black Dragon Society.
Moloch shares his name with the ancient Middle Eastern deity Moloch.
Shang Tsung as a name is an actual expression for "temple elder". Deriving this from the fact that Chinese mysticism often entwined spirituality and magic, this may be a reference to Shang Tsung's actual call as a sorcerer.
Sheeva's name can be recognized, as based on the Hindu god, Shiva, both of which have four arms.
The name Bo' Rai Cho is a play on the Spanish word borracho, meaning "drunk".
The Orderrealm and Chaosrealm resemble the Yin and Yang of Taoism. The Orderrealm is similar to the Heavenly Courts in Chinese Mythology, responsible for enforcing order.
Onaga is loosely based from the cruel Dragon King who was killed by a child hero named Nezha and he was later reincarnated and tried to reclaim his throne in a desolate war-like realm (possibly Outworld's inspiration) and claim the realms for himself. Also Shao Kahn seems to be one of the enemies of Sun Wuukong. However he somewhat is commented to "look like True Ogre from Tekken to a certain extent".
The Wu Shi Academy follows Theravada Buddhism.
Shinnok is loosely based on the Buddhist Satan Yan Wang, ruler of Hell and lord of all evil. He is seen to be a deceptive evil god who controls the evil forces in the Universe and also uses illusions to aid people in helping him like Taven with a fake apparition, presumably he must have also done the same with Quan Chi. Like Satan of Abrahamanic religion, Shinnok was formerly a being that was considered good, and fell from grace and now rules from the underworld (the Netherealm/Hell).
The concept of the One Being comes from Pangu, one who the Elder Gods led by the Jade Emperor to form all of reality and form the seven artifacts of Buddhism.
Ashrah's name is taken from the Buddhist word of Asura or middle east goddess Asherah.
The Elder Gods are taken from the concept of Buddhist Elder Gods headed by the Jade Emperor who watch over the Universe. Even the places attributed to the Elder Gods looks like those in Chinese Mythology.
The Netherealm, which Shinnok rules resembles Di Yu or the Chinese picture of Hell. The prison cells almost resemble Di Yu's level where the prisoners are shredded to pieces as the Chamber of Grinding. Such a stage can also be seen in The Slaughterhouse in Mortal Kombat: Deception. Shinnok's Spire is somewhat like the chambers of Hell.
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