Arcana Empress

The Arcana Empress is one of two Shadows that appears during the third Full Moon in Persona 3.

Appearances

 * Persona 3: Shadow Arcana

Biography
During the Third Full moon, SEES decides to try and rescue Fuuka by standing inside the Gekkoukan High School gymnasium (where Fuuka originally went missing) until the Dark Hour arrives, thus winding up where she would have had she truly experienced the Dark Hour. Upon trying this method, however, the team is separated. The Protagonist finds Junpei and Akihiko not long after their separation, and Fuuka shortly after that. When these four arrive back at the first floor of Tartarus, they find that the Arcana Empress and Emperor have attacked Mitsuru and Yukari. As Natsuki wanders into the scene and apologizes to Fuuka, the girl takes the Evoker and summons Lucia. Junpei, Akihiko, and the Protagonist engage the Empress and Emperor in battle.

The Empress is a large, pot-bellied Shadow with a staff, a blue dress and a green cloak. She is weak against Slash, Pierce, and Strike attacks but resists all manner of magic, the opposite of the Emperor. She is one of two enemies in the game (the other being the Emperor) capable of the move "Quad Converge" which changes the weaknesses and strengths of the user. Upon using Quad Converge, the Empress resists all physical attacks and is weak to magic.

Interpretation
As all Shadows appearing on Full Moon nights, it's appearance and behavior are based on Tarot cards from the Major Arcana in the reverse position. The Arcana Empress carries a golden crown shaped mask as all Shadows from the Empress Arcana. She wields a royal scepter.

As this is the Reversed version of the Empress Arcana, it represents the dark side of the Arcana. The Empress means someone caring about one with motherly love, assuring the enjoyment of life, yet the reversed version of it means someone selfish and hedonistic. Thus instead of a beatiful woman, the empress is obese.

She represents the spiritual side of the soul, thus she starts the fight being weak to physical attacks.

The Arcana Empress and Arcana Emperor both are responsible for the things that happened to Natsuki and her friends after they bullied Fuuka. As if a punishment for not caring about her. Natsuki's regrets for the things she did are what awakens the power in Fuuka to save everyone.

Also worthy to note, at the school entrance we can see a blue scepter and a red sword which are used by both Arcanas during this battle which takes place at the entrance of Tartarus. Also after the events of this mission, Natsuki becomes Fuuka's friend and starts to care for her and want to comfort her, which does reflect the teachings of the Empress card.