Matrix symbolism and references
By markodoom
@markodoom (243)
United States
September 9, 2009 12:48pm CST
I love movies that are rich in symbolism and references to other movies, literature or any cultural connections. So here's my simple and obvious example of what I'm talking about in The Matrix and I'd like to hear from you for any other symbols or references you spotted. At the start of the movie when Neo is being presented with a red pill and a blue pill and later being asked if he wants to go down the rabbit-hole - obvious allusion to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. I'm sure there are more references to that brilliant Lewis Carrol book - do you know any in the movie or remind me of any ther references t other classics or otherwise?
4 responses
@VVroom (255)
• Romania
17 Oct 09
There are many symbols in Matrix. And also many prophecies. But it's nothing strange because the movie is inspired ( it's officially admitted) by an ancient hindu story where symbols and prophecies were the way to write. Of course some things were replaced with others. For example in the final scene of part 3 when Neo is no more then crucified...
@markodoom (243)
• United States
10 Feb 10
really? that is fascinating
id love to learn more especially about the Jesus stories told before he lived
@VVroom (255)
• Romania
17 Oct 09
I just remembered something else. There were many matrixes before and many 'The One's. I was very surprised learning from Zeitgest that Jesus story was already told 5 or 6 times until he lived on Earth. For the same reason: another matrix. And another Neo... :)
@sunrisen1234 (1)
•
11 Oct 09
The symbolism within the Matrix movies are numerical and pertain to the spirtual world and the material world where life within the material world are an illusion.
Within the Matrix the numerology also symbolises time and space. Within specific parts of the movies the relevance between the number 9 and 11 are very symbolic, as these represent the spirtual and material world.
Number Nine representing spirtuality and Eleven representing the material world.
In the movie, observe the time on the clock 9.18am also when Neo visit Morphus the room number is 101.
The many doors Neo enters symbolises, the many paradiagms to a different existence.
@markodoom (243)
• United States
10 Feb 10
wow i hadn't picked up on the numerology
room 101 as in George Orwell's 1984?
@Bionicman (3958)
• Czech Republic
16 Sep 09
Before the red pill-blue pill, Neo was told to "follow the white rabbit"
When they're about to unplug Neo from the matrix for the first time, Cypher says "Buckle your seat belt Dorothy, because Kansas is going bye-bye", which is obviously reference to The Wizard of Oz.
There are tons of references to William Gibson's "Neuromancer" (jack into matrix etc). The whole movie is just screaming NEUROMANCER.
Then there are references to some anime...you can't really point all the references and symbolism in the matrix cause there's just too much of it. Like the name of the ship is Nebuchadnezzar etc
@markodoom (243)
• United States
10 Feb 10
still you picked up on a couple of my favourites
I particularly like the white rabbit and pills reference as I'm a big fan of Alice in Wonderland
@joem26 (17)
• Philippines
20 Sep 09
I really cant think of any references from the movie Matrix, but I really like the whole story because it somehow symbolizes life itself. You know, the idea that everything in this world might just a be system run by a much bigger world out there that controls our every action and determines everything around us. In the movie, It was symbolized by a computer program who controls human existence. And it also makes sense using a computer program to symbolize reality because computer by itself is in todays modern world a great representation of what we human are all about. I don't know if this make any sense to you.. but i hope it does.
@markodoom (243)
• United States
10 Feb 10
it does make a lot of sense and look at the incredible ironic flip you brought our attention to - the fact that computer programs that are controlled by us in our world are flipped and become the controlling force here...
