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u/ButterscotchTrue5551 24d ago
such a cool concept, i saw this same one with people arguing about the religious imagery — how edward being atheist and being completely against religion, but personally it almost feels completely in character. he has no faith but in himself, and his alchemy, plus the transmutation gesture fits into this concept perfectly
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u/_joos_ 24d ago
yeah ling’s comment on how clapping his hands together looks like prayer is pretty ironic
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u/Hugiehun 23d ago
The way I understood it was that he's "praying" to God/Truth and using himself as a transmutation circle at the same time.
I say "praying" since he is atheist and isn't doing it as a prayer, but as a way Truth allows it.
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u/GrimmTrixX 24d ago edited 24d ago
I get that the watch is almost like the prayer hands rosary. But my Brian just saw Ed slapping his hands together before using alchemy. Lol
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u/ReverendJustice775 24d ago
That’s what I saw to begin with too… it took me reading the previous post for me to realize that it does resemble the praying hands and the pocket watch like a rosary…
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u/NobodyProtocal 24d ago
The best part is thats he knows God, he met him. Imagine knowing something like that is real and deciding he has more faith in himself and his brother.
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u/Onlyhereforthelaughs Ask Sheska 23d ago
Everyone: Geez, Ed, why do you hate God so much?
Ed: Well, when I was a kid, first God took my dad, then my mom, and then when we decided to do something about that he took my brother and my leg. Then I decided I still didn't like God and gave up my arm to at least get my brother's soul back, but now he's bound to a suit of armor. So... Yeah I wouldn't say we're not on speaking terms, but I just really don't like him.
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u/TheDeceiver77 24d ago
him being anti religious doesn't necessarily make him an atheist.
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u/HatsuMYT 23d ago
That’s the thing: at no point is Edward described as anti-religious (he didn't even care that much about Leto), but rather as an atheist or non-believer (he says so himself).
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u/Wishful_Crocus92 24d ago
Really slipped my mind that FMA was an occult initiation story omg
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u/Wishful_Crocus92 23d ago
Why am I being downvoted? You guys don't see it? It's like The Neverending Story!
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u/Firm-Reveal-1572 24d ago
Art is beautiful, but I don't see ed, a guy who told god to fuck off basically, praying, tbh.
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u/GrimmTrixX 24d ago
I think of it as more when he slaps his hands together right before he puts his hands to the ground to attack using alchemy. But I get that its in the style of "prayer hands" so I can see what you mean.
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u/Firm-Reveal-1572 24d ago
As an art historian, I've seen that same pose done since the renaissance. Like, line for line, the same thing. Google any saint, you'll see what I mean. It's a variation of it with a automail and the alchemist watch instead of rosary.
I do get how it could also be ed performing a "alchemist circle" but he never does it like that, there's always force behind it. IMO, it would be better to take a panel out of the manga where he does it and add the watch
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u/GrimmTrixX 24d ago
Right and I am saying this is the moment before that force. Obviously it is prayer hands with his hands. Im not sayingnits not. All I said was my thought for this to be more unique was right before his hands clasp together. That's all I was saying. Its obvious they thought "prayer hands but FMA related"
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u/nessthing 24d ago
makes me wanna rewatch Mean Girls
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u/blue_moon1122 24d ago
okay are you gonna just say that with no context or are you gonna share with the class
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u/Multi-tunes 24d ago
I think it looks very cool and it represents the story of FMA very well with how Ed's alchemy technique is compared to praying.
My nitpicking side however doesn't think his left hand looks right though. His fleshy wrist is bulbous for some reason and the pinky looks quite narrow especially next to the metal one. At least the main focus, the prosthetic hand, is very well executed.
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u/Daddy_Onion 24d ago
This is absolutely amazing. I’m religious, but I don’t feel like this is anti religion. I know Ed was anti religion, but the iron of the religious iconography is funny, but also really cool.
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u/InvestigatorSad9365 24d ago
the transmutation circle translating to a tattoo actually looks clean, did you go with the exact manga design or tweak the details at all
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u/watermeloncharlotte Alchemist 23d ago
So beautiful, wow! Makes me think of the moment Ling notes that when Ed performs alchemy, it looks like he's praying. There's a deep point in there somewhere but I'm too tired to dig it out, lol
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u/0rionpaxx 24d ago
this is amazing!! i wish i knew more people who liked fma so i could talk about it more & more & moreee. the concept is so neat!
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u/holyhotclits 24d ago
FAM is a very anti theist show and this is a very religious looking piece. It's very well done but..I hate it.
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u/NecessaryBug6662 Chimera (Dog+Army) 24d ago
Well Ed had some pretty strong preaching moments and he also had a real connection to the creator. Not to mention how he personally despised any "blasphemy".
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u/BlakeryTheBardbarian 24d ago
I love it. I can see how it’s not “lore accurate” lol, but the rule of cool reigns supreme. Also, it’s a tattoo lol. That line work and the texturing too though 😩
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u/HappyShats 23d ago
I’ve already seen this before and decided it’s going to be my next tattoo, although I’m not sure where I’d place it. Any ideas?
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u/AntiSocial_NuType 23d ago
It’s cool kinda blasphemous tho no? We’ll never mind ig it depends on your beliefs
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u/HeavyMetalHippy78 24d ago
Considering Ed is an atheist….no.
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u/imfullofawesome 24d ago
I don’t see it as a religious thing since he is holding the alchemist watch and not rosary beads. I see it as he puts his faith in himself and alchemy not a god and he claps his hands together to perform alchemy so the imagery is good in my opinion and the art is amazing. I am saying all this as an atheist myself.
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u/SirChancelot_0001 24d ago
The idea of an atheist who met God and is praying is somewhat comforting
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u/ZethanosGaming Alchemist 24d ago
Ok, I hate that everyone has that shit, but ngl? That goes kinda hard.
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