Safer Sephiroth and the empyrean theme

[Trismegistus]

I don't know if this subject has been tackled or not. I was too lazy to search, but I'll go through with it anyway. The moderators can delete it if they wanted. But one matter that was left unanswered in the FFVII Compilation was Sephiroth's seraph-like form and the accompanying empyrean archetype or motif, if you will. What do you think is the mystery behind all that?

I have my own theory on the matter, but I have to hit the sack right now. I'll let you guys go on first. So... let it rip!

 

[Rorolina Frixell]

His initial state I believe is his 'god form' (reinforced by his battle theme 'Birth of a God') his second form I believe is more a symbolic form than anything, or perhaps due to CLoud and co's efforts, his godhood gets spoiled and reduces him to this state, instead of being a God he simply becomes an Angel.

Least that's how I interpret it

 

[Dionysos]

In later instalments they took the One-Winged Angel concept from that design, but discarded the rest. They made it so that it was just a mutation caused by the Jenova cells, and with Genesis and many other characters also able to suffer a similar mutation.

In the original game it was probably just a freaky battle morph which they did not think to explain. The final bosses of most FF games have their own freaky phase where the villain unexpectedly morphs into a hideous and indescribable monster.

I think the religious motifs are important, though they are not new for a Final Fantasy game. Kefka, in the final battle of FFVI also has a similar seraph form, and also has a similar heavenly backdrop and atmosphere.

In both cases it is probably to signify that the villain has reached supreme heights, and is now beyond being a human and aspiring to be a god and has actually achieved godhood. I'm not sure if it is generally accepted that Sephiroth had become a god though (and if he had then he was defeated before people could begin to worship him, if he had even wanted their worship), but he was close and powerful like one in this form.

 

[Matseb2611]

I would agree with Argor. I think it is indeed to do with symbolism of being Godly. And I think the fact that he has only one wing makes him somewhat of an outcast to all the angels, perhaps a fallen angel even.

 

[The Witch]

It's to show he's a god... or so he thougtht. To the player, it should tell them the big bad is badder than ever. Not to mention, Sephiroth literally believes himself to be a "god" makes sense he'd take a form of one.

 

[TheMixedHerb]

I have to agree with Dan here.
It's not that Sephiroth was a God technically, he was powerful, yes, but he had only summoned meteor. He personally doesn't see to all that much throughout the game, he spends most of it in the crater just waiting.

When the party finally arrives, he's there waiting for them and blocking Holy. Showing his power first of all and then for some odd reason he takes a new form. Suggesting that he has newly devloped power from before he was considered human.

The Winged Sephiroth battle is more of a connection between how he considers himself as a saviour, a God. The only one worthy enough to survive. It's how he sees himself more than anything else, more like a personification of a real life angel.

I do think the oddest thing is the fact that he's an angel, and not a demon.

The final battle is just between Cloud and his conscience I think, (it's been proven that this final Sephiroth only has 1HP) Cloud has finally let go of what's happened and he's ready to move on. (Although AC completely ruins this.)


This is just my take on it anyway, I'm not disagreeing nor necissarily agreeing with anyone.