Despite the manga being released all the way back in the 1990s, Sailor Moon is still one of the most popular franchises of all time. How the manga and anime series changed or established the “magical girl” era is incredible and an inspiration for many great series we see today. Of course, being the staple of the whole genre, Sailor Moon has an immense lore behind every character and storyline, but the series’ symbolism is what makes it so good.
The show was inspired by astronomy, astrology, gemology, Greco-Roman mythology, Japanese elemental themes, and more. Each planet has special symbolism, not just astrological but cultural as well. We will dedicate this article to Sailor Moon symbolism and their meanings – what they mean in Japanese culture, some lore in the context of the Sailor Moon Universe, and maybe include some zodiac content.
1. Moon
We start this list with the most notable symbol in the Sailor Moon franchise – the Moon itself. In Japanese culture, Moon represents spirituality, dreams, and energy balance, and it is called Tsukuyomi. Interestingly enough, the Moon also symbolizes enlightenment, and the Japanese people mostly look up to the Moon to seek positive thoughts.
In Sailor Moon, Sailor Senshi, Usagi Tsukino herself is the most important character in the series. When transforming, Usagi’s forehead represents a lunar phase in the first quarter, positioned towards the sky, an aesthetic decision by the creators. Sailor Moon doesn’t use any elemental powers but uses her Silver Crystal, the artifact used by the Royal Moon Family.
2. Mercury
Mercury is heavily featured in Roman and Greek Mythology and is mostly related to eloquence, wisdom, negotiation, and trade. Astrology mostly agrees with the myth and believes that planet Mercury is to impart the ability to think quickly and have a clever wit – and those tasks are best to be made on Wednesdays.
In the context of the Sailor Moon series and Japan, the planet Mercury and its symbol are associated with Water, one of the main natural elements. It makes sense since Ami is wise and clever out of the Sailor Guardians, making her character even more interesting.
3. Venus
The symbolism of Venus is incredibly popular even with people who don’t understand astrology at all. In Roman and Greek mythology, the goddess Venus and Aphrodite symbolize love and beauty. Interestingly enough, the Venus symbol represents the female sex as well.
In the context of the Sailor Moon series and Japan, Venus symbolizes similar aspects as the Romans and Greeks, including aesthetics, relationships, affection, passion, and more. Sailor Venus, or Minako, is quite a passionate character who loves her friends very much. Of course, since her sign is closely related to relationships, Minako has close relations with everyone, especially one Sailor Senshi.
4. Mars
The symbolism of Mars is quite known among the population, and the first association with the sign is the Roman god of war. Its symbol represents the male sex, the opposite of the Venus sign, and seeing Rei and Minako being close friends in the Sailor Moon series, indicates the relationship of gods Venus and Mars, who were romantically and passionately involved.
As mentioned, Mars is closely associated with war, while the element of fire represents energetic, forceful, and moving things in the world – just like Rei in the Sailor Moon series. It’s also love and passion, which is, once again, closely related to Venus.
5. Jupiter
In mythology, Jupiter is the god of all gods, king of all gods, and an equivalent of the Olympian god Zeus of Greek mythology. He received his thunderbolts as a gift from the Cyclopes, which he used to create lightning.
Sailor Jupiter uses lightning as her main power, and one of her attacks represents the animal eagle, which was praised as the most sacred of the birds by the ancient Romans and Greeks. As the element itself, Sailor Jupiter represents power and supernatural forces, being the oldest and strongest of all Inner Sailor Senshi.
6 . Saturn
Knowing who Hotaru is in the Sailor Moon lore makes her planet even more interesting. In the mythology, Saturn is also known as Cronus in Greek mythology and is considered the father of the first generation of Olympians. He is also the god of agriculture, so he carries a scythe, a tool used for harvesting crops.
Because of the scythe, which resembles a Grim Reaper, and when the planet was considered the farthest from Earth, people were scared of Saturn, which correlates well with Hotaru and Sailor Saturn in the series – she had the power to destroy everything. Also, the Saturn symbols in astrology represent structure and boundaries, which is quite on point in the context of Sailor Saturn.
7. Uranus
In Greek mythology, Uranus was one of the primordial deities and the personification of the sky. In astrology, Uranus is connected to brilliance, inventions, originality, science, technology, and more, and knowing Haruka’s character in the series, Uranus is a spot-on symbol for her character and Sailor Senshi persona.
Moreover, Sailor Uranus uses the earth element as her power, which does have a meaning in Japanese culture. Earth represents foundation, stability, and stubbornness – once again, perfectly describing the character in the series.
8. Neptune
If there is one mystical and magical symbol on this list, it is associated with Neptune. Interestingly enough, this entry represents completely opposite values for Uranus, and since Neptune is the god of the sea in Roman mythology, the whole water connection confirms that fact.
Neptune is associated with water, symbolizing its three properties – fecundity, drinkability, and liquidity. In astrology, Neptune is associated with illusion, dreams, inspiration, addiction, and unconditional love – which could be seen in Michiru and Haruka’s relationship in the series.
9. Pluto
This entry is interesting since it’s associated with the god of death and lord of the underworld, who controlled the faith of all mortals. In astrology, the planet Pluto represents death, struggle, transformation, and renewal.
In the Sailor Moon series, Sailor Pluto has immense power, with her ability to control time, and it seems that she is the one that holds the faith of the galaxy in her hands. She is part of the other Outer Sailor Senshi – Neptune, Uranus, and Saturn.
10. Black Moon
First of all, there have been other evil groups or organizations in the Sailor Moon series, but Black Moon had the most concrete lore that could be easily implemented in this article. Black Moon characters are named after the minerals. For example, four key members of the Black Moon use the four precious stones – emerald (infinite patience), sapphire (wealth), ruby (power and wealth), and diamond (love, wealth, and commitment).
The Specter Sisters are named after kermesite, berthierite, and calaverite minerals (most of them used in alchemy), and the Boule Brothers were named after scientific terms – chirality and archirality.
Of course, since Black Moon represents the completely opposite values of the Legendary Silver Crystal and its worshippers in Crystal Tokyo, the only thing is left to explain the meaning of the Black Moon in astrology. The Black Moon represents our darkest feelings, desires, and every secret, which we should continue to avoid. In the Sailor Moon series, the group is just that – evil.
11. Sailor Starlights
Lastly, we have Sailor Starlights, the guardians who represent stars. With the original mission to find their own Princess Kakyuu after Sailor Galaxia destroyed their home Kinmoku, Sailor Starlights decided to protect Sailor Moon since she reminds them of their princess.
Stars can symbolize numerous aspects, but only a few of many include humanity, hope, faith, divinity, god, guidance, and more. Sailor Starlights first appear in the Sailor Moon Stars, the last season of the original show and manga.
There are many more symbols in the Sailor Moon series, but these are the most recognized among the fans. What’s also important to add is the common thing between most villains of Sailor Moon – first three seasons, we had enemies named after stones, fine stones, and minerals, confirming that showrunners knew what they were doing when they developed this series.
The inspiration for the show was procured from geology, astrology, astronomy, mythology, and other historical or social aspects of our lives. Sailor Moon is still very popular, and in the last few years, we got a movie and a new remade Sailor Moon Crystal series that strictly followed the manga series. Nevertheless, we wouldn’t mind more Sailor Moon content in the future since creators could easily use more inspiration and content around the world.
