Many may think the Field of Flowers magic spell, used in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, is just a symbol of love, showcasing the bond between Flamme and Frieren or later on between Himmel and Frieren, which might not be wrong. But there can also be a more meaningful, deeper exploration of this spell, that you might have never thought about.
It’s not just a random spell that Himmel and Flamme loved so much because of its face value, but it actually ties in with the concepts of death and heaven within the series’ narrative.
The symbolism of having a near-death experience!
In a recent Reddit post, one avid Frieren fan started a discussion around the actual significance of the Field of Flowers spell in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and it turns out he does have a point. Apparently, in Japan, “field of flowers” is more than just a pretty phrase; it’s a metaphor for the afterlife.
According to legends in Japanese culture, seeing a “field of flowers” is a common phenomenon that implies that one had a near-death experience! Reportedly, around 15-20% of Japanese people have seen this blurry image of a field of flowers when they were close to death.
Now in that light, it’s fascinating to think about how this cultural phenomenon intricately ties around the themes of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. Suddenly, those blue flowers Himmel, Flamme loved take on a whole new meaning, but that’s not all! In fact, there’s more to it.
The Field of Flowers is a place that’s closest to Heaven!
It turns out that the “field of flowers” concept is actually a metaphor for a place that can be considered heaven on earth. Interestingly, this concept has some similarities with the Elysian Fields from Greek mythology. One can imagine it as a beautiful meadow, where heroes and virtuous people get to go in their afterlife. It’s the final resting place, where one can just relax and enjoy the view.
Now from Frieren’s perspective, what’s even more fascinating is that the Elysian Fields are said to be located at the western edge of the world. And, in the world of Frieren, there’s a place called Aureole (where they are heading now), that’s also situated at the northern edge of the world!
So there’s no way these two concepts are connected by just coincidence, there must be more to it.
Anyways, the concept of the Field of Flowers turns out to be a very metaphorical element to think about. It is as if the more one learns about its different symbolisms, the more one realizes how meaningful it actually is in the story. It’s not just a pretty spell or a favorite flower; it’s a study of life and death.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
