V:  THE HIEROPHANT

Key Items

The many items with magical properties that give depth to the story

The works of the series are tied together through the town called Silent Hill 
and the long-standing religious tradition native to the region.  As might be
expected from such prevalent themes as the otherworld, resurrection of the 
dead, as well as occult elements and other phenomena, various religious items 
such as charms and equipment used in rituals appear widely in the games.

There are items that are referenced from various religions and folklore and of 
course, there are original ones as well.  These religious items give a unique 
depth to the story.  Let us examine this using a few representatives.  If one 
acquires more information on the subject, one should be able to gain a deeper 
appreciation for the series.

Halo of the Sun/Talisman

The two crests of the series are deceptively similar.  On the talisman, the seal 
that appears in the first game is inscribed.

IMAGE:  Heather stands on the emblem in the church
The Halo of the Sun is the crest of the religious organization.  The difference 
between the two seals has an important significance in the series.

Aglaophotis

A red liquid that appears in the first and third games.  Made from a medicinal
herb, it seems to have the effect of repelling evil spirits.

IMAGE:  Heather's pendant
It would seem that after the first game, Harry once again procured some of the 
liquid for the sake of his daughter.

Flauros

A charm that appears in the first game.  It has the ability to break the
continuity of the boundary that surrounds Alessa.

IMAGE:  the Flauros
Harry receives the Flauros from Dahlia.

The Book of Lost Memories

An original book written about the history of the town.  It appears in the 
second game, Restless Dreams, and the third game.

IMAGE:  the "Lost Memories" memo from Restless Dreams
A section of this thick book is quoted in each of these three games.  

White Chrism and Obsidian Goblet

Items used in rituals required to see the "rebirth" ending in the second game.
Supposedly, they are used to resurrect the dead.

IMAGE:  Maria retrieves the white chrism for Ernest
Details concerning the ritual to bring the dead back to life are written in 
the book of Crimson Ceremony.

SECTION TWO:  An examination of the names of key items reveals an influence 
from various religions

The Seal of Metatron

According to the Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism), the angels Metatron and Samael
originally shared the same existence.

Aglaophotis

A medicinal herb that appears in the Kabbalah.  It is used to expel demons 
from the possessed and can also be used for a magical array.

Flauros

One of the seventy-two demons that appears in the Lemegeton, a book of magic 
said to have been compiled from the writings of King Solomon of Israel.

The Book of Crimson Ceremony

The roots of the Crimson Ceremony lie in Mayan and Aztec rituals.  At one time,
the ritual of human sacrifice was quite prevalent.




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