Sailor Venus: Original Fuku The original fuku appeared in the first through third season of the seri

Sailor Venus: Original Fuku The original fuku appeared in the first through third season of the series with no changes in each season. However, Venus perhaps has one of the most interesting designs considering her first fuku was Sailor V, and the colors and structure between the two fuku are very different. Colors: Orange/Gold, Navy Blue, and Yellow Venus’ fuku colors initially do not seem to insinuate the powers she represents as a Sailor (for example, Mars uses fire and wears a red fuku) as she is titled the Soldier of Love. However, when we look into the five Chinese elements and the kanji associated with the name of the planet Venus, we understand that Venus represents metal. It is likely that the orange in her suit is meant to reflect the color of gold. Venus is also connected to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, who is depicted to have golden hair. She is married to Hephaestus, the god of blacksmiths and metals, furthering the connection between Venus and the color and element of gold. Orange represents energy, warmth, vibrancy, and need of attention. Minako easily encapsulates all of these traits. She is outgoing and friendly, before becoming Sailor V she had many friends and never short of speaking her mind. She also posses great agility and participated in volleyball. Minako is perhaps the most energetic out of all the girls, constantly on the go bouncing from one idea to the next, and always with a plan of action. We can see this in her schemes, from becoming an idol to having the enemy target her for her pure heart. It’s also evident that she needs attention per her dream of being an idol and adored by others. Like Sailor Moon, it is likely that the navy blue bow is a nod to the standard sailor uniform and perhaps also a reference to the V costume that consisted of navy and red. Venus’ back bow is yellow instead of navy blue (except in PGSM where it is orange), the only Sailor to share this design element is Mars. There doesn’t seem to be a clear reason why this was done. However, the yellow ribbon has much historical significance. The yellow ribbon first appeared in the song about a woman waiting for her beloved to return and if she would remain faithful to him. While we know that Minako is largely unsuccessful in love, she does represent it. In the comic she is prophisized to never find love so she may concentrate on her duty. In this sense, her princess may be considered her beloved. Minako awoke first and waited for Usagi and remains dedicated to protecting her. In Japan the yellow ribbon is used on their medal of honor and it is used to acknowledge public role models. As Venus is the leader, and in some instances an idol, she fits the description of a role model. In some comic illustrations, Venus’ shoulder pads are tinted yellow. The color yellow symbolizes happiness and optimism. Despite Minako essentially giving up her rather nice normal life and placed her dreams aside to fulfill her duties as a Sailor, she has remained positive and joyful. She rarely allows herself to be defeated in battle or in every day dilemmas, such as becoming closer to the Three Lights. Mask and Jewelry On occasion, Venus wears the red mask that was central to her Sailor V costume. This is likely residual from the Sailor V costume and used as a visual connection between the two personas. In all versions, Venus removes her mask when she’s first introduced, changing from Sailor V to Sailor Venus. Early in the story, Venus wears a crescent moon on her forehead in the comic and PGSM. She serves as the decoy Moon Princess until Usagi regains her powers. The crescent motif found in her Sailor V costume, forehead symbol, and even her Crescent Beam attack are likely there to draw parallels between her and Princess Serenity and her role as a decoy. In PGSM Venus wears a tiara with a large silver stone in attempt to fool the enemy into believing the tiara held the Silver Crystal. Naoko drew many similarities between Minako and Usagi, from their behavior, physical appearance, and their roles in the story. In the past Venus was called Earth’s sister planet due to being similar in size. While Princess Serenity is from the moon, it’s hard to not take into account of her love for Earth and Endymion, as well as her eventual reign over the planet as Neo Queen Serenity and as its sworn protector as Sailor Moon. It’s rather fitting that Venus fulfills the role of leader of the Inner Guard and decoy of the Moon Princess. Once Usagi awakens as Princess Serenity, Venus’ crescent moon mark is replaced with a simple tiara. In the cartoon Venus is depicted with orange gem stones while in the comic and PGSM she wears yellow gemstones. In the materials collection Naoko indicates that Venus’ image stone is the yellow topaz. Orange topaz is referred to as “precious” topaz and yellow topaz “imperial” topaz. In the past, “topaz” was used to describe any yellow stone and in Hebrew it can refer to the color orange. Topaz represents loyalty, faithfulness, and friendship, and supposedly brings beauty and fertility to women. Belt and Hairbow In the comic and PGSM Venus wears a belt made out of linked red stones. This belt is used for Love Me Chain and Wink Chain Sword attacks. The belt may be in reference to the golden girdle Hephaestus made for Aphrodite that made her irresistible to mortals and gods alike. In the Bible the gold chain Joseph wears around his neck, given to him by the Pharaoh, symbolizes his status as ruler. Gold chains were worn by high ranking individuals. We may be able to draw a parallel by suggesting Queen Serenity appointed Venus as leader and the chain of gold and gems she wears around her waist symbolizes her rank. Starting in Sailor V comic, Minako wears a large red bow in her hair. The bow remains in her Sailor form in all versions. In Sailor V Minako wears the bow because a boy she liked told her she would look prettier with a red bow, and despite learning he was her enemy, decided to continue to wear the red bow. In PGSM the bow is adorned by a red heart gem set in the middle with strands of gems and precious stones trailing from the bow down the length of Venus’ hair. Culturally hair bows often symbolize femininity and youth. When we want to depict the difference between genders, we often add a bow to the female. Young girls especially are seen wearing bows in their hair. A good example of depicting gender and youth with a hair bow is Hello Kitty. The “ko” in Minako often means “child” in Japanese. The planetary symbol for Venus is also the symbol for woman, furthering Minako’s connection to representing femininity. -- source link

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