Juliet's mark/Theories

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Theories about Juliet's mark

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Stated as questions or possibilities (avoid question marks, "Maybe", "I think", etc). More appropriate for another article. Illogical or previously disproven. Proven by canon source, and moved to main article. Speculative and lacking any evidence to support arguments. Responding to another theory (use discussion page instead). This does not include responses that can stand alone as its own theory. Usage of an indented bullet does not imply the statement is a response. See the Lostpedia theory policy for more details.

• Juliet's mark has a similar meaning to Jack's tattoo - she is marked as no longer one of the group.
  • The mark on her back very closely resembles Ethan's Mark on the tree near the caves.

Symbolism

• The star of the tarot card symbolizing hope and is often depicted with eight points.
• It has a similar configuration to an inverted Star of Bethlehem. Also known as the epiphany star; see [1]
• It resembles an inverted 8-pointed cross of the Church of Scientology [2]
• The 8-Pointed Star or Octagram corresponds to the Wheel of the Year and the 8 Sabbats of Wiccan and Pagan traditions. It is representative of the cycle of time and the power of regeneration and return.
• The eight-spoked Dharmacakra wheel represents the Noble Eightfold Path of Buddhism (similar, though this symbol misses the crucial ring which forms the outer rim).
• The mark resembles the "Symbol of Chaos" from Michael Moorcocks Eternal Champion megaseries. In particular the arms of the symbol are often of unequal length.
• The mark resembles the chaosphere symbol of the Illuminates of Thanateros magical order.
• It looks like a falling star - symbolic of Juliet's 'fallen status' and evocative of "Catch a Falling Star".
• The falling star design calls to mind the Biblical description of the fall of Lucifer "How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn!" - Isaiah 14:12 (NRSV).
• It is the eight pointed star of ancient astrology, representing the fixed stars. The lengthened vertical indicating that one has fallen to earth.
• The symbol has a relation to the Rosicrucian order; see [3]
• The mark resembles an ancient Greek symbol called "epsilon", which basically is a cross, with the fifth letter of the Greek alphabet backward and forward. The letter "epsilon" is the first letter in the Greek word Ελλας (Hellas-Greece) and Ελληνας (Hellinas-Greek). The symbol (see first picture) was used in various forms, with the most famous being in the paintings behind King Minoan's throne in Knossos in Crete (see second picture). Hollywood knows very well this symbol, since it was also used in the film Troy (see third picture).

• Juliet's mark purpose and symbolism is similar to the Biblical "mark of Cain," which was placed on him after he killed his brother. Cain was marked as a sign that nobody should kill him, similar to how Juliet was marked instead of being killed: "And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him." (KJV)
• The mark is almost identical in design to the Panopticon prison that Alex is taken to in A Clockwork Orange.
• Airing this episode on Ash Wednesday in the USA makes the mark suggestive of a 40 day to come cycle in which Jesus (Jack) is to be betrayed, murdered and then rise from the dead in the next 40 days.
• The Monster kills anyone or anything that bears this 'Mark'. Ben's sentence is therefore a tad more humane than the other's executing Juliet themselves.
• The symbol resembles the ten Sephirot, which is a Kabbalistic symbol.
• It also resembles a compass rose.
• Possible link between the eight-points and the eight sides of the Dharma Symbol. This also links with the blast door map, which is likewise octagonal. The longest point of the star, in this case would correspond with the station "The Arrow".

Other Theories

• The mark is almost identical to the 8-pointed star found on Cadbury creme eggs (which are "Easter eggs"); the writers used this symbol as a red herring for fans who research every minor detail of the show. [4]
• The mark also looks very similar to a marijuana leaf.
• The mark is similar to the eight-pointed star which serves as a symbol for Marvel Comics' character Captain Mar-Vell. Many of the creative staff for Lost are self-proclaimed comic book enthusiasts, so the mark could be a subtle allusion to the character.
• The others may have marked Julliet in order that she would be "flashed" by the monster who would judge her.