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Tintin and astrology

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Shaggy Milou
Member
#1 · Posted: 22 Nov 2006 08:03
Benoit Peteers claims in his book that Herge (a Gemini) had a keen interest in astrology. If this is so, I'm sure at some point he must have thought about the star signs of his characters. I enjoy studying astrology myself, and I think a connection between such iconic fictional characters and the myths associated with the zodiac can be really powerful in terms of symbolism and archetypes (I've been reading Carl Jung lately, in case you couldn't tell). Has there ever been any discussion on this? I thought I'd share my thoughts in case they are of interest.

Of course, I'm assuming most people don't have a concrete belief in the real world significance of astrology (or at least those quack horoscopes of popular journalism), but this is all ultimately at a symbolic level.

The series itself was concieved under Capricorn (early Jan, 1929). To be literalist, you could assume that Tintin himself was born under this sign. It's true that he has some attributes of the sign (determination, a strong sense of morality and a good work ethic). But given that this sign is ruled by Saturn (Chronos in Greece), and thus is all about the father figure and restriction, I don't think it's ultimately him.

I'd imagine Tintin as Sagittarius the archer, a fire sign ruled by Jupiter. it's the sign of the explorer-philosopher, all to do with expansion and learning, as well as fortune and luck (which Tintin pretty much depends upon). His rising sign could be Virgo the virgin, ruled by Mercury (also to do with the intellect and travel). Given that it's an earth sign, it would give him that grounded, calculating edge he sometimes has. Also, the animals associated with Virgo are small domestic animals such as dogs (Milou).

There's no question that Haddock would be a Cancer. He'd certainly be a water sign, but despite his name I don't think Pisces the fish fits him quite so well. Cancer is all about being stubborn and highly emotional, with a hard shell on the outside and soft mush on the inside. Being ruled by the moon, it's all to do with the mother (when we first meet the Captain, in Crab with the Golden Claws no less, does he not bawl for his mummy?), as well as ancestry- which we clearly see Haddock's appreciation for in Unicorn/Red Rackham. And given its influence under the moon, I find it deliciously ironic that Haddock is so reluctant to travel to said celestial body. His rising sign also clearly seems to be Leo. Not only because he both looks and sounds like a lion, but also because of the pride, temper, and need for a noble homestead that are associated with the sign.

Calculus/Tournesol would probably be Aquarius the water bearer, ruled by Uranus, because this is THE sign associated with the offbeat genius (your Obi-wans, Dumbledores, Gandalfs etc). It's a sign frequently linked to science fiction and space exploration, such as his work on the moon rocket. His rising sign, I imagine, would be Capricorn the goat, not only because it's the sign of discipline and the superego-esque father figure, but also because, well, he acts the goat. :D Just think of that little beard of his and the bleating way he talks in the Nelvana series.

Castafiore I imagine as Taurus the bull, ruled by Venus. Given this planent's influence, one of its major aspects is about beauty and beautiful possesions (such as jewellry). It is also associated with the arts, and in the body it rules the throat, so it's an ideal sign for an opera diva. I think she would share Haddock's rising sign of Leo- perhaps it's because the two are both ostentatious, dogmatic, warm-hearted drama queens. They say you can never tolerate someone who is too similar to you!

I'm tempted to call the Thom(p)sons/Dupont(d)s Gemini the twins, but given that a major part of this sign is intelligence an quick wit, I don't think it fits. Two other signs about duality- Libra the scales and Pisces the fish- seem to fit better. The scales, of course are about justice (the two are detectives), but also indesicion. Pisces is even better: the image of the conjoined fishes swimming in different directions without any common progress seems to suit the two fools like a glove (not that I'm asserting that all Pisces are idiots, mind you).

Wow, that was a lot of text. I apologise for prattling on, but I do find this quite interesting.
Tintinrulz
Member
#2 · Posted: 22 Nov 2006 10:03
Oh no, another yamilah! (lol)
Welcome to the forums mate.

I think you need to be careful with astrology, that territory is dangerous (spiritually).
Interesting thoughts, but I think you're seeing something that isn't there.
labrador road 26
Member
#3 · Posted: 22 Nov 2006 14:37
Contrary I would say that Shaggy Milou is not another Yamilah, he might be pondering a more abstract part of Tintin but his post was quite easy to read, which unfortunately the latter ones is not. I haven't read so much about astrology so I can't really agree or disagree, but I'm an Aries so could you see some of these in the corpus, and please don't say Jolyon Wagg.
Shaggy Milou
Member
#4 · Posted: 22 Nov 2006 23:16
Contrary I would say that Shaggy Milou is not another Yamilah, he might be pondering a more abstract part of Tintin but his post was quite easy to read, which unfortunately the latter ones is not. I haven't read so much about astrology so I can't really agree or disagree, but I'm an Aries so could you see some of these in the corpus, and please don't say Jolyon Wagg.

I'm an Aries as well (and also a girl), and I certainly wouldn't align my own sign with that old chatterbox, lol.
Tintinrulz
Member
#5 · Posted: 22 Nov 2006 23:37
Sorry, yes you are easier to understand than Yamilah.
Danagasta
Member
#6 · Posted: 23 Nov 2006 14:12
I like that, Shaggy. Thanks! A Taurus myself, and the Castafiore makes great sense!

I wonder which characters would fall under which signs other than the few described, though?

And Tintinrulz, why do you say astrology is "dangerous spiritually?" Maybe to you it is, but not to some of us. There are other faiths out there, and some DO recognize it as spiritually valid.
doubleT
Member
#7 · Posted: 26 Nov 2006 03:55
I know that this is a bit of a strech, but what would the characters signs be in the Chinese zociac.

I know we don't know the exact ages of the characters and therefor don't know what years they were born, but just given their personalitys, what might they be in the Chines zociac
Harrock n roll
Moderator
#8 · Posted: 26 Nov 2006 19:53
There's a book from 1987 by Albert Algoud called Tintinolatrie which contains a print out of Tintin's birth-chart. The book makes him a Capricorn too by using his first appearance as 'birth-date'. It also contains many other amusing attempts to imagine the Tintinverse as 'real' and some funny esoteric theories written by other people too. Indeed, yamilah does not have exclusive rights in this field, nor should he IMO. Anyone is entitled to put forward a theory on this forum, whether someone else thinks it's preposterous or not, so long as they keep within our wonderful rules ;-)

doubleT
I know that this is a bit of a strech, but what would the characters signs be in the Chinese zociac. I know we don't know the exact ages of the characters and therefor don't know what years they were born, but just given their personalitys, what might they be in the Chines zociac

You could use each characters first appearance in print for their birth-date. The Chinese year is different to the western calendar so you'd need to know the year and month in each particular year. For example, Tintin was 'born' January 10th 1929 which falls on the year of the Dragon. The next year - the Snake - didn't begin until 10th of February. I suppose the same could also be done for the western horoscope for a more 'accurate reading'. Good luck!
Tintinrulz
Member
#9 · Posted: 27 Nov 2006 07:03
Danagasta, astrology is dangerous spiritually to everyone. Without going into too much detail I believe that kind of stuff involves communication with demonic forces (demons/evil spirits). You believe you control and have the power to your destiny, but the spirits are just leading people on.
Shaggy Milou
Member
#10 · Posted: 27 Nov 2006 10:54
You could use each characters first appearance in print for their birth-date. The Chinese year is different to the western calendar so you'd need to know the year and month in each particular year. For example, Tintin was 'born' January 10th 1929 which falls on the year of the Dragon. The next year - the Snake - didn't begin until 10th of February. I suppose the same could also be done for the western horoscope for a more 'accurate reading'. Good luck!

Additionally, there's also a sign in Chinese astrology deduced by the hour of birth (I forget its actual title). Together, the year, month and hour are sort of equivalent to the Sun (or "star sign"), Moon and Rising sign in the west. So there would be a lot of deduction there.

Since we have no clue what year he was born in, I vote for Haddock being a dragon :3

Danagasta, astrology is dangerous spiritually to everyone. Without going into too much detail I believe that kind of stuff involves communication with demonic forces (demons/evil spirits). You believe you control and have the power to your destiny, but the spirits are just leading people on.

I respect your beliefs, but I don't think the moderators would appreciate turning this thread into a theological argument. Such comments do have their place, but not on a Tintin forum. I don't believe in Christianity (and frankly, in some select circumstances, I think it can be dangerous too), but disagreeing with something and tolerating it are two different things. This should be a friendly place where folks get along. No hard feelings, alright? :)

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