[spoilers] Lucas and his tattoos

[Belle]

(20-11-2010 02:25 AM)Byatil Wrote:  In reference to a discussion myself and Binkie (amongst others) are having on this post: http://www.spooksforum.co.uk/thread-1214-page-1.html

In the bathroom scene in 7.1, Lucas is shown topless talking to Harry. I'm beginning to wonder if he wants Harry to realise the significance of his tattoos, and indeed to question them.
Harry does refer to the "Dum Spiro Spero" tattoo, and they discuss it briefly. This seems, however, to be the most 'positive' tattoo Lucas has - so it's interesting that Harry should pick up on it. Perhaps Harry wants to convince himself that Lucas has coped well, as he has been alive and "hoping" all these years. Equally, Lucas could be trying to show Harry that he hopes for answers.

I know his Blake tatoo is supposed to represent a distrust of the system, amongst other things. The fact that Lucas shows it so blatantly to Harry could suggest a hint towards his distrust of his superior, and the fact that he needs redemption.

Another visible tattoo is the "Gnothi Seauton" one, which could be another hint towards gaining Harry's approval and trust. He's asking Harry to think about his actions, and to realise who he actually is as a person. Could also be an underlying message of asking Harry to explain why he made the decisions he did.

The crosses on Lucas' back are the representations of the years spent in prison, as has been said. This is obviously a clear, visual representation of the length of time he spent in Russia for Harry, and I seem to remember Lucas having his back turned to Harry for quite a while in this scene - once again, subliminally making the point that he made a huge sacrifice for Harry, and that he needs answers.

I'm wondering if the quote on Lucas' forearm or the 8-point star could mean anything significant in terms of his relationship with Harry or not, but I can't remember exactly what they signify... I think the star is something to do with freedom? I could be horribly wrong though!

Anyway, nice bit of over-analysis for you there

I agree with you, Byatil, on the 'Dum Spiro Spero' tattoo. If he had done this tattoo for himself, maybe he would have put it where HE could see it, i can't imagine there were many mirrors at his disposition in prison, so one has to asume that this tattoo was ment for someone else? Maybe it's ment as some 'good advice' like: 'hey, I've spent 8 years in prison and I haven't given up on life yet, so you'd better don't either!' It is placed above the 8 domes, so perhaps there's a link between them?

On the 'Gnothi Seauton' one, I'm not sure this was for someone other than Lucas himself, it is placed were he can read it, maybe it was his way to try to stay human and to stay Lucas North (totally ignoring the whole John thing, here,doesn't make sense, anyway ), I mean, it must be unbelievably hard to remember who and what you are when you are deprived of human contact for the most of the 8 years, if you only have got yourself to talk to, you'd better know who you are, just to keep you from going completally insain.

The 8-point star is known as The Star of Redemption or Regeneration.
The number 8 is meaningfull in many religions (as the 8 paths of Buddah, circomsision at the age of 8 days in jewish religion, 8 immortals in chinese religion,...) and represents balance, harmony and faith in the ultimate harmony of creation. So maybe this is also a positive tattoo on Lucas' body. It might stand for the firm believe that everything happens for a reason, maybe one part of him truly believes that he's there for a reason, namely to protect his country and fellow officers and i think it has been that believe that kept him 'alive'. The other part of him, though, has serious problems with the unfairness of it all and with the fact that no one (Harry) seemed to be in a hurry to save him, so i do not know if this is the right explanation for this tattoo.

It might be easier to analyse them if we knew when exactly during his imprisonment they were placed. It's easy to see that in the begining of that period you still would hold hope, but as years would pas by, sure you would lose that hope!

As for the quote on Lucas' forearm, i'm ashamed to say that i don't know what it says.
If someone knows, please share.

Oh, BoHenley, yes it is hard to look at the tattoos and not at the man!!