> I was wondering if there was anything in the movie that subverted > the overt meaning of the ending. For example, I note that those > who opposed the king were named "Sky" and "Moon" and "Broken > Sword." "Sky" might map to "Heaven", "Moon" might map to the Moon > Goddess, but I am not sure what to make of "Broken Sword". I wish > I knew more about Chinese symbolism to be able to analyze that. > Also, there might be meanings to the colors which are > less-than-obvious. > this is my first reply to the list, so forgive me if I do something stupid and annoying. also: hello. however, in regards to broken sword; you may be looking for too vague a reference. broken sword is so named, I think, because he had stopped fighting. Instead of regicide, all broken sword desired was peace. A sword that is not used is broken? I could be way off on this, but it is how I perceived it. also, I thought the message of the film was not so much unity over individuality as making personal sacrifices for the good of all. I cannot argue that the chinese see much of that as giving up personal freedoms for more security, but I felt that it was talking about what one person can do as a patriot when he's willing to make sacrifices.