Name
Well, this page will not be as fun as some other characters’ names, as Rumiko has blatantly said why she named Kikyou the way she did. “Kikyou” means “Chinese Bellflower” or “Balloon Flower”.Obviously it was perfect for Kikyou’s character, because she still loves Inuyasha, even after death. Yeah, she was brought back to life based on hatred for Inuyasha, but once she finds out Naraku was the cause of their misunderstanding, she slowly begins to be in love with him again until her very last moment.
The Chinese Bellflower is also very widely used in Asia because it is an anti-inflammatory in treatment of coughs and colds. It is rather ironic because Kikyou has an extensive knowledge of herbs and flowers for medical purposes, and uses that knowledge to heal the sick and wounded. Whether this could be another reason for Rumiko naming Kikyou this way, we cannot say, but it is possible.
I have also heard that the Chinese Bellflower is a flower for mourning, which would again make sense for Kikyou’s character as she is amongst the dead. I cannot find a source to prove this to be true, so it may not be, but I figured I would include it here anyway for some introspect.
And just because I am very lame, I’ll add this little blurb from Kabalarians as well. Bolded sections are those I feel can connect to her character.
• Although the name Kikyou creates idealism and the urge to help others, we emphasize that it causes procrastination, lack of confidence, and the inability to realize your goals and ambitions.
• This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the nervous and fluid systems.
• Your name of Kikyou creates a passive, friendly, easy-going nature, but your desire for sociability and the pleasant things in life makes you too easily influenced through your associations.
• You are too generous and if appealed to will give all you have because you find it difficult to say "no" and mean it.
• You do not like to create tension or friction and will try various means to avoid such situations.
• You are very idealistic.
• You have imagination and many ideas but lack the ambition and drive necessary to accomplish your undertakings.
Overall, a lot of this is hard to say because Kikyou really was not allowed to act like herself. As she herself says, she is human, but not allowed to act human. Even so, the sections that I bolded are things that I believe are in her personality. Right off the bat, Kikyou always helps those in need. She helps the injured on both sides of the battlefield, which shows she does not choose sides, but simply wishes to help those in need. Though it is not her name that caused her suffering, Naraku destroyed Kikyou’s happiness and success. Kikyou also is very friendly to the villagers and younger children, and is almost mother-like. Lastly, Kikyou is probably too generous and helpful for her own good, as she treated Onigumo despite her sister’s warnings, and that ultimately led to her downfall.
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RESOURCES
1. Chinese Bellflower @ Wikipedia
2. Kabalarians
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