»Why is Trinity "Tri"nity?«

EqUiLiBriuM wrote:

Regarding the hinduistic interpretation... So I think, that the theory on hinduism should be applied to machines-Neo-Smith instead of Morpheus-Neo-Trinity...

Good Call! Your knowledge of Hinduism far exceeds mine, and thus the connection in your post makes much more sense to me. My admittedly limited knowledge of Hinduism did not give me this insight.

Sylens wrote:

Trinity = Holy Trinity = Father (Morpheus), Son (Neo), Holy Spirit (Trinity herself) Anyone?

It is interesting that Trinity's unrequited lover's name is Ghost, n'est pas? I think it's a clue to her role corresponding to that of the 'holy ghost' in the Christian Trinity.

I didn't know that story about Siva and Visnu (6)... that is most interesting. Do you remember where you first learned that, or can you tell me where I might find it? I would like to learn more.

I both agree and disagree with EqUiLiBriuM about pointing to the Christian interpretation. On the one hand, Christianity is the commonest religion in the world (in toto; many smaller sects exist, however, which have so little to do with each other they practically are different religions themselves), so it follows that in order to do what I believe the Wachowskis tried to do with the Matrix films--to create a myth--Christianity is the logical means by which to comparatively introduce mythic ideas. (Huh? Hang on, I've nearly confused myself, here. Let me try again.) By creating characters and ideas and events in the story which can be compared at or nearly at a 1 to 1 ratio to characters, ideas and events in the Christian faith history (I'd call it a mythology, but I don't care to start that argument just now), the Wachowskis have essentially drawn in most of the Christian viewership right from the off.

On the other hand, Christianity is clearly not the only faith with characters, ideas and events on a level of 1 to 1 with those in the Matrix. This is especially true in M3, with the inclusion of obvious Hindu references. So now we have about 1/2 to 2/3 of the world's faithful connecting to this story at a near-spiritual level. (This is important.)

There is also the fact to consider that most Christians today know next to nothing about the Gnostic movement of Christianity in the early first millennium. Gnostic Christianity can be thought of as a synthesis of East and West, of Christianity and Eastern philosophy (such as Hinduism). (That's not to say that it IS that, only that it CAN be thought of as that!)

Which brings me to Deus ex Machina.... Fatpie is right; there's nothing that I know of from existing philosophies to correspond to it in the story. The name itself could give us a clue: (as most everyone should know) 'God from Machines' is the translation--it is a theatrical and literary device used basically to rescue the plot and put it back on course.

So, Deus ex Machina would seem to belong solely to the Matrix philosophy, thereby making the Matrix myth and mythology its own entity, and not merely a comparative study of Christianity and Hinduism, et cetera.

But why would the Wachowskis want to create a new myth and a new mythology? Or perhaps the question should be, why wouldn't they? It is clear to me that we are meant to connect personally with Neo, and with the story as a whole, just as Christians are supposed to connect with Christ and His life and death. It's a story that is millennia old--far older even than Christianity itself. Perhaps it is time to look at the story in a new light ('Neodammerung?'), from a new perspective.

Hi annaerullo! I've been away for awile. For now, I'm just popping my head back in for a second.

I've been thinking about the origins of the name Neo, ... I mean, it wasn't a name Morpheus gave him, or Trinity, or not really the Wachowski brothers either in the story, but Thomas Anderson must have taken the name for himself when becoming a hacker once a upon a time, right? Why did he take the name Neo?

And why did Trin take the name Trinity? (knn alluded to this)

In the Animatrix we see that Trinity is deep into Alice in Wonderland symbolism. She obviously was a lot into symbolism and mythology.

And Neo? Well, it seems he read Simulacra & Simulation (and other books too maybe) while he defragmentated his computer(s) or tried to unplug at times.

And maybe even the Machines got inspired by the theatres of the Antique, and figured that that Deus ex Machina solution was perfect for them, and then the Machine god (the single consciousness?) designed himself as the Deus ex Machina!

just som thoughts!
/zynxamek

It's interesting that right before Trinity comes to save Neo in Mobil Ave., we see a 'Trinity' of powerlines (three powerlines) connecting the Source to the rest of the machine city.

These three power lines represent the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They all reside in Heaven, or the Source, the Karma, the place of deletion. These power lines lead straight to the Source.

I don't know where to go from here, but someday, I'll have a GREAT theory!

The One Lives On wrote:

These three power lines represent the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Be careful... remember the Christian Trinity is not the only trinity in Human consciousness... the Hindu trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) should not be ignored. In fact, I tend to like the Trinity of creator, preserver, destroyer far more than the Trinity of Father, Son, and Spirit, in terms of a sort of 'functional' deity.

Still, you're not wrong. Just remember, as you put the puzzle together, there may yet be pieces missing. You must find all the pieces if you want to see the greater picture.

Cheers, zynxamek. Good questions, all! Meditate on this, I will.

Whassup annaerullo !

"Meditate" was a good description, what were Neo and Trinity meditating on when they adapted their names? Was it in connection with the Matrix-connection? Or was the Oracle giving them clues already then?

Of coarse the name could be just truely prophetic, for instance when Trinity tries to stop the bomb from exploding! (Thx knn)

Quote:

Keymaker: This building is protected by a very secure system. Every alarm triggers the bomb. Vector: Bomb ? Did he say bomb ?

(Curiously, the mechanism of atomic bombs are chain reactions. But isn't pressing that red button, to start that chain reaction, a choice? Maybe Trinity is the Oracle's atomic bomb to change the Matrix. Atomic bombs changes worlds, as Japan can well enough witness)

But my question is: how did Trinity come about this hacker alias? She must have been intrigued by something! What made her tick at that time in her life?

I must admit, I'm very curious of their previous journeys in their mundane lives inside the matrix eventually leading them to the question of the matrix, and to Morpheous. Those journeys of there's couldn't have been too different from our journeys? ...

(I just stumbled over this medieval painting called the gallery.euroweb.hu..., where saints are discussing amoung themselves about the Trinity, and were St Sebastian and Mary Magdalene are listening attentively. (Close-up: click on the thumbnail at wga.hu...). Interestingly, St Sebastian (holding an arrow) was shot with loads of arrows and left to die, but a widow came by, took care of him and healed him. Info cin.org.... Was there an Oracle at that time too, that had slipped him a cookie? )

/z

AW: Okay, so we want to associate our three main characters with the Christian Father, Son and Holy Ghost. What do we name them?

LW: Well, 'The One' is the main character, obviously, and he is the Christ figure, right? But he's like a 'new' and improved Christ for a new generation.
AW: Yeah, I see where you're going. 'Neo.'
LW: And it's an anagram for 'one.'

AW: What about the Father?
LW: Well, we could call him 'Abba' or something.
AW: No, it's gotta be a cool hacker name.
LW: It's a dream world. Like something out of a dream.
AW: Here's something: Morpheus, the lord of Dreams.
LW: Yeah, that's good! Nicely done.
AW: Thanks.

LW: Okay, then. Now for the tough one: Holy Ghost.
AW: She's gotta be a chick.
LW: No question. Holy Spirit--Sophia, Wisdom--she's female in Gnosticism anyway.
AW: What about 'Ghost?'
LW: Ooh, I like that. It's not really very feminine, though.
AW: That's true... well, we'll keep that one for later.
LW: How about just 'Spirit?'
AW: No, that's weak.
LW: Yeah. Hey, how about just calling her 'Sophia?'
AW: No, that's too obvious.
LW: Yeah, maybe... What about another mythic version of the Sophia, like 'Persephone?'
AW: That's pretty obvious too, same root. Besides, not really hacker-ish, is it?
LW: Let's not throw it out, though, it's a nice name.
AW: Wait... I've got it. She's rounding out the trinity, right?
LW: Hit me.
AW: How about 'Trinity?'
LW: Perfect! Print it.

...And thus it was....

No. I can't do that. I won't.