Hi, Junko from Japan here! KIBUTSUJI MUZAN is the first demon and the origin of all the demons in Demon Slayer. How did Muzan become a demon?
The key lies in AOI HIGANBANA, meaning “blue spider lily” in Japanese. Higanbana is the name of the flower. It also has other names such as Lycoris radiata, Manjushage, and red spider lily.
What Is Blue Higanbana That Transformed Muzan into the First Demon?
According to the original Demon Slayer manga, it was a doctor in the Heian era who treated Muzan. Muzan was weak from his birth and had medical treatment for a long time. But his health didn’t improve at all, and Muzan ended up killing the doctor with anger. After his death, Muzan found out that his body transformed and got superhuman power.
He located from the doctor’s note that the secret of his transform lied in AOI HIGANBANA. He used it as a remedy before getting killed. But the details about the blue spider lilies weren’t left, and Muzan has sought it for a very long time since then.
What Do Spider Lily Flowers Mean in Japanese Culture?
In Japan, spider lily flowers are deeply related to Buddhism. The word HIGAN means the other world, and we often see red spider flowers around Buddhism temples or graves. Spider lilies are simply beautiful.
But we never touch them since they’re also known for having poison. I think that’s why they give an impression as if they’re blooming out of this world.
Back to our main topic, it was a blue spider lily Muzan had from the doctor. Does blue spider lily really exist? NO. They have white and yellow other than red, but there’s no Higanbana with blue flowers.
I think a blue Higanbana flower symbolizes “a bridge that connects the dead and the living.” We have a Buddhism event called HIGAN in Japan. It’s said this world and the other world get closest during the Higan season. So we visit temples and hold memorial services to our ancestors.
If the red flower is a symbol of the connection between this world and the other world, the blue one may contrast other two things such as the living and the dead, or humans and demons.
Also, blue spider lilies may represent “something that shouldn’t exist in this world.” With red flowers, we humans get closer to the dead. With reversed blue flowers, the demons will come to us.
I’m not sure if my guess is correct or not! But that makes some sense, do you?
What Is the Heian Era in Japan?
The Heian Era lasted from 794 to 1185. The word HEIAN means “peaceful” in Japanese, and it was the age of peace and prosperity, marked by a flourishing of the aristocratic arts and literature.
The picture below shows typical Heian nobles. Their Kimonos are different from the current ones, and women have very long hair.
An episode in Demon Slayer tells that Muzan was of noble birth. His original name before becoming a demon isn’t revealed, but it’s clearly mentioned he’s from the same clan as the Ubuyashiki family. The name KIBUTSUJI MUZAN sounds so ominous that I suppose it’s not his original name.
Related Posts about Demon Slayer
What Does MUZAN Mean in English? The Origin of His Name in Demon Slayer
Is YORIICHI Related to TANJIRO? Why Are They Look Like Each Other?
What Is The Red Flower in Demon Slayer And Its Meaning?
How & Why Did DOMA Become a Demon?
Are MUZAN and KAGAYA Related? Why Do They Resemble?
Akaza’s Death: Why Did He Kill Himself? The Sorrowful Past behind That
Who Is Muzan’s Favorite? 5 Unexpected Demons He Values and Why
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