Maia

Maia
Japanese Name	マイア
Romaji	Maia
Also known as	Maia Prime (P2: IS) Maia Custom (P2: EP)
Origin	Greco-Roman Mythology
First Appearance	Persona 2: Innocent Sin
Arcana(s)	Moon
Persona User(s)	Maya Amano Yukino Mayuzumi (Persona 2: Innocent Sin only) Shadow Maya (Reverse)
Awakens into	Artemis (Maya Amano) Reverse Artemis (Shadow Maya)
Variants	Reverse

"I am Maia... The workings of the Pleiades shining in the heavens shall be yours, bearer of the full moon..."

—Maia, Persona 2: Innocent Sin

Maia is a Persona in the series.

Quick Answers

What role does Maia play in Greek mythology?

In Greek mythology, Maia is one of the Pleiades, daughters of Atlas. She is a nymph who had an affair with Zeus, leading to the birth of Hermes, the messenger god. Maia's name signifies "Grandmother of Magic," and she is linked to the Western equivalent of Maya, Buddha's mother.

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How is Maia connected to the god Hermes?

Maia is the mother of Hermes in Greek mythology. She was a nymph and one of the Pleiades who had an affair with Zeus, leading to Hermes' birth. Hermes is the messenger of the gods and patron of travelers. In the Persona series, Maia is also the initial Persona of Maya Amano.

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How does Maia relate to Maya Amano in Persona 2?

Maia is Maya Amano's initial Persona in Persona 2, linked to the Moon Arcana. Maia Prime, a stronger version, is available to Maya Amano under specific conditions. Maia's design is inspired by the Pleiades constellation, highlighting its mythological roots. While other characters use Maia, it is mainly tied to Maya Amano.

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What is Maia's relationship with Zeus in mythology?

Maia, a nymph, had an affair with Zeus, leading to the birth of Hermes. She is one of the Pleiades, the seven sisters supporting the heavens.

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What significance does Maia have in the Moon Arcana?

Maia is Maya Amano's initial Persona in the Moon Arcana. Maia can evolve into Maia Prime and then into Artemis, the ultimate Persona, upon meeting specific conditions. The Moon Arcana includes mythological figures related to the moon and psychic themes. Maia, a figure from Greek mythology, is one of Atlas' daughters and Hermes' mother. Moon Arcana Personas often explore themes of illusion and fear projection.

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History

In Greek mythology, Maia is the daughter of Atlas and Pleione and the patron goddess of Nursing mothers. She is the eldest, shyest and most beautiful of the Pleiades, the seven sisters. Her beauty attracted Zeus who bred with her and so she gave birth to Hermes.

Appearances

• Persona 2: Innocent Sin: Moon Arcana
• Persona 2: Eternal Punishment: Moon Arcana

Profile

Persona 2: Innocent Sin

"From Greek mythology, the oldest of the Pleiades, the seven sisters who support the heavens. Incidentally, she is not a goddess, but a nymph. She had an affair with the chief god Zeus and gave birth to the god Hermes.
Maia's name holds the meaning of "Grandmother of Magic" and is said to be the Western equivalent to Buddha's mother Maya, who is said to have created the universe."

—Persona World

Maia is the initial Persona of Maya Amano. As a child, Maya was able to conjure her Persona, whom she believed to be a guardian angel. Years later when she and the other main characters are attacked by a group of demons, she summons her Persona again to protect themselves and learns the ability to invoke her Persona at will ever since. Maia's appearance is overall pink, red and black. Her clothes seems to be a combination of Japanese traditional clothing and the Gothic style. During the arson attack 10 years ago, Maia was able to break her host out of the shrine before the flames consumed her.

If the player let Maya rescue Akari Hoshi in the Sky Museum when it was on fire, after the Mt. Iwato scenario Philemon will grant her Maia Prime for overcoming her pyrophobia.

Despite being Maya's signature Personas, Maia and Maia Prime can be equipped by Yukino, albeit with lower Affinity.

Persona 2: Eternal Punishment

Maia returns as Maya Amano's initial Persona. Following the events of Innocent Sin, Maya has completely forgotten her memories, but she is able to summon her Persona once more when she is attacked by JOKER. Maia's appearance is somewhat changed. Her stats and battle skills remain almost the same, but now excels at the water element instead of the ice element. In Eternal Punishment's universe, Maya was never caught in the arson attack, and so never summoned her Persona until the JOKER attacked her.

If Maya shows Ulala compassion during the fitness club GOLD scenario, Maia will mutate into Maia Custom.

Other Quotes

Persona 2: Eternal Punishment

• "I am thou... Thou art I... I cometh from the sea of thy heart... I am the brilliant mother, Maia..." (Upon awakening)

Stats

Persona 2: Innocent Sin

• Maia
• Maia Prime

I am Maia... The workings of the Pleiades shining in the heavens shall be yours, bearer of the full moon... Arcana Type Level SP cost Bonus Returns ° Moon None 3 6 Ag +1 Vi Incense Exclusive to Maya, Yukki Traits Gloomy Oldest of the seven Pleiades sisters in Greek lore and mother of Hermes. Atk Def Matk Mdef Strength 3 Vitality 4 Dexterity 5 Agility 5 Luck 4 12 14 12 14 Sw Rn Sk Th Hv Fi Wt Wi Er Ic El Nc Li Dk Al Nr Mn - - - - - - - - - - - - Nu Nu - Nu Nu Summon Information Story Acquired automatically when Maya Amano joins. Mutates Into Maia can mutate into Maia Prime after the events of Mt. Iwato (PSP only). List of Skills Rank Skill Effect 1 Hama Deal instant Light kill to one enemy. (48% chance) 2 Dia Recover low HP for one ally. 3 Feral Claw Deal low Havoc damage to one enemy. 4 Bufu Deal low Ice damage to one enemy. May freeze. (30% chance) 6 Media Recover low HP for all allies. 8 Omni Dimension Instantly kill one enemy. (20% chance) [Non-elemental] Mutation Diarama Recover high HP for one ally.

I am Maia... Awakened messenger of the Pleiades: Flowers to the past; fertility to your heart. The sixteenth night's moon now shines... Arcana Type Level SP cost Bonus Returns ° Moon None 31 34 Ag +1 Vi Card Exclusive to Maya, Yukki Traits Gloomy Oldest of the seven Pleiades sisters in Greek lore and mother of Hermes. Atk Def Matk Mdef Strength 26 Vitality 21 Dexterity 34 Agility 24 Luck 30 114 104 92 95 Sw Rn Sk Th Hv Fi Wt Wi Er Ic El Nc Li Dk Al Nr Mn - - - - - - - - - - - - Nu Nu - Nu Nu Summon Information Story Let Maya rescue Akari Hoshi from the fire in the Aerospace Museum. Mutation Can be mutated from Maia after the Mt. Iwato scene. (PSP only) List of Skills Rank Skill Effect 1 Hama Deal instant Light kill to one enemy. (48% chance) 2 Hypnotic Waves Deal Nerve sleep ailment to all enemies. (48% chance) 3 Feral Claw Deal low Havoc damage to one enemy. 5 Malaques Deal medium Water damage to an enemy group. 6 Mediarama Recover high HP for all allies. 8 Omni Dimension Instantly kill one enemy. (20% chance) [Non-elemental] Mutation Recarm Revive and recover low HP for one ally. (25% max HP)

Persona 2: Eternal Punishment

• Maia
• Maia Custom

I am thou... Thou art I... I cometh from the sea of thy heart... I am the brilliant mother, Maia... Arcana Type Level SP cost Bonus Returns ° Moon None 3 5 AGI +1 VIT Incense Exclusive to Maya Traits Gloomy From Greek myth, one of Atlas' daughters. Mother of Hermes. Atk Def Matk Mdef Strength 3 Vitality 4 Technique 5 Agility 5 Luck 4 12 15 12 14 Sw Sh Sk Th Ak Fi Wt Wi Er Ic Ln Nc Ho Dk Al Nr Mn - - - - - - - - - - - - Nu Nu - Nu Nu Summon Information Story Maya Amano's Initial Persona. Mutates Into Maia can mutate into Maia Custom after the events of GOLD if the player portrays Maya as a compassionate person. List of Skills Rank Skill Effect 1 Hama Renders an enemy Unconscious. (36% chance) [Holy-element] 2 Dia Restores a character's HP. 3 Aqua Inflicts small Water damage to an enemy. 6 Media Partially restores all characters' HP. 8 Multi-Dimension Renders an enemy Unconscious. (20% chance) [Non-elemental] Mutation Diarama Greatly restores a character's HP. Unknown Power Assist Type Bestows Tarukaja + Makakaja (or Rakukaja + Samakaja in addition)

My name is Maia... One awakened to true powers... Flowers for the past... Fertility to you... Let the lunar moon again be... Arcana Type Level SP cost Bonus Returns ° Moon None 31 22 AGI +1 VIT Card Exclusive to Maya Traits Gloomy From Greek myth, one of Atlas' daughters. Mother of Hermes. Atk Def Matk Mdef Strength 26 Vitality 21 Technique 34 Agility 24 Luck 30 109 94 92 95 Sw Sh Sk Th Ak Fi Wt Wi Er Ic Ln Nc Ho Dk Al Nr Mn - - - - - - - - - - - - Nu Nu - Nu Nu Summon Information Story Player plays Maya as a compassionate person during the Fitness Club GOLD scenario. Mutation Mutate from Maia with above condition fulfilled. List of Skills Rank Skill Effect 1 Hama Renders an enemy Unconscious. (36% chance) [Holy-element] 2 Invitation to Sleep Puts a group of enemies to Sleep. (52% chance) [Nerve-element] 3 Scratch Inflicts small Strike damage to an enemy. 5 Maha Aques Inflicts medium Water damage to a group of enemies. 7 Medirama Greatly restores all characters' HP. 8 Multi-Dimension Renders an enemy Unconscious. (20% chance) [Non-elemental] Mutation Recarm Recovers an Unconscious character, restoring some HP. (25%) Unknown Power Assist Type Bestows Tarukaja + Makakaja (or Rakukaja + Samakaja in addition)

Gallery

Boxart of Maya with her Persona Maia

Reverse Maia

Maia on the cover of Persona 2: Eternal Punishment Comic Anthology Yurusarezaru Monotachi

Trivia

• In Persona 2: Innocent Sin, Reverse Maia shares the same base sprite sheet as Maia Prime with a different palette instead of the initial Maia.
• Aside from the fact that Maia is used by Maya, her oriental design references the interpretation that the Atlas' seven daughters, the Pleiades, derive from the Chinese Jade Emperor's seven daughters. Both are related to constellations (though the stars they represent differ) and have their youngest daughters, namely Merope and Zhinü, romantically involved with mortal males.
• Maia's mythological connection to Hermes parallels the relationship between Maya and Jun Kurosu. Where Maya and Jun were mother and son figuratively in childhood, Maia and Hermes were literally mother and son in lore.
• Maia and Maia Prime are the first Initial and Prime Personas who are not exclusive to one character, as Yukino can use them.
  • This exception is followed by Orpheus in the Answer episode of Persona 3 FES when he is summoned by another character.
• In Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, if the player does not return or delete Maia Custom before Restarting their save file, the flag for triggering Maia's mutation to Maia Custom will not be reset, making them unobtainable.