"I am Philemon, a dweller in the rift between consciousness and unconsciousness of all souls... I am you. You are me... I shall always watch over you from within. Farewell..."
Philemon is a recurring, important figure in the Persona series.
Quick Answers
What is the significance of Philemon in the Persona series?
How is Philemon related to the concept of a 'wise spirit guide' in Carl Jung's writings?
What is the connection between Philemon and the butterfly persona?
How does Philemon's character relate to the play Faust by Johann Goethe?
What role does Philemon play in Persona 5?
History[]
Philemon comes from the writings of Carl Gustav Jung, specifically that of a "wise spirit guide." He likely has origins in the play Faust by Johann Goethe, a work that would impact Jung for a majority of his psychological career and what he would find a driving force to his work. The name itself is that of a wealthy Christian of the ancient era, to who a famous epistle was written by Paul the apostle.
Appearances[]
- Megami Ibunroku Persona: Major Character
- Persona 2: Innocent Sin: Major Character
- Persona 2: Eternal Punishment: Major Character, Ultimate Boss
- Persona 3 / FES / Portable / Reload: Blue butterfly form
- Persona 3 (Manga): Blue butterfly form
- Persona 4 / Golden: Blue butterfly form
- Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth: Blue butterfly form
- Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth: Blue and golden butterflies
- DemiKids Light / Dark Version: BattleNet Opponent
Design[]
Philemon is shown as a man wearing a mask. In Megami Ibunroku Persona, his mask has the image of a violet butterfly wing in the right side of his face and the eyeholes do not show his pupils. He also wears a suit consisting of a black shirt and tie, a white blazer and white pants with black dress shoes. He also has long, black hair tied up in a ponytail. This design was inspired by the Chinese Philosopher Zhuang Zhou, who wrote "The Butterfly Dream" (a recurring element in the series) in the Zhuangzi.
In Persona 2, his design is changed to wearing a black turtleneck shirt and black pants fastened by a belt. The butterfly wing on his mask is more three dimensional and has been moved to the left side of his face and has been recolored orange. The bottom right side of his mask exposes his face and his pupils are visible through the mask's eyeholes. His hair is also recolored to a dark brown shade and his ponytail is shorter than in the previous title. In Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth, he appears as a blue butterfly. In Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth, he takes the form of both blue and golden butterflies.
Personality[]
What little is shown of his personality is displayed in the first three Persona games. In most incarnations, Philemon serves as a neutral observer who watches as things unfold. He has a benevolent view of humanity, frequently contacting the protagonists of Megami Ibunroku Persona to give advice. At the same time, due to his nature as an otherworldly being of the Collective Unconscious, he does not have exactly the same world view and values as humans, as shown by his willingness to wager their existence on the strength of their heart.
Profile[]
Philemon is a dweller who lives in the realm of consciousness and unconsciousness, and an entity who can awaken the ability to use Personas in those he chooses. He observes a rule of neutrality and non-interference, and only aids indirectly through the Velvet Room, which is filled with his servants. Persona 2 duology reveals Philemon is a sapient force of the Collective Unconsciousness, one who embodies the creative potential of humanity; actions, feelings and thoughts meant to build and reinforce the ego and the sense of self. As such Philemon stands opposite to Nyarlathotep, and they have conducted a wager meant to probe and experiment if humans can become enlightened beings, or if they will completely and utterly destroy themselves.
Throughout the series, butterflies are commonly associated with Philemon. Blue butterflies signify his attention, while golden butterflies signify his presence.
Megami Ibunroku Persona[]
Philemon as depicted in Persona (PSP)
Philemon first appears to the protagonist and his friends after they fall unconscious from playing the "Persona" game. After learning the protagonist's name, Philemon comments that not many can remember their names in his realm, introduces himself properly, then grants the group the power of Personas. Throughout the game, they are drawn into Philemon's domain multiple times, where he gives them hints and advice. At the end, he draws them into his realm one last time and praises them, saying that they are no longer wearing "false smiles" having discovered themselves. After bidding them farewell, he removes his masks and dissipates into a swarm of golden butterflies.
Persona 2[]
Innocent Sin[]
If the player decides to strike Philemon rather than thank him for actions at the end of the game, Tatsuya Suou's punch knocks away Philemon's mask; revealing none other than Tatsuya's own face beneath it. In response to the attack, he merely stated: "I am Philemon, a dweller in the rift between consciousness and unconsciousness of all souls... I am you. You are me... I shall always watch over you from within. Farewell..." This is another reference to Jungian psychology (specifically, Jung's Red Book) and the role of guardian Philemon follows in it, besides implying his appearance is as immutable as Nyarlathotep's. By extension, the comparison also implies Philemon's overarching role in the series is to be the protagonists' guardian, unable to openly interfere to protect them, but always overseeing their development and guiding them to a better path.
Eternal Punishment[]
Philemon reappears in the same role in Eternal Punishment. However, he initially appears to be extremely weak and unstable, flickering in and out of existence. Philemon aids the party as they travel through Monad Mandala, taking Tatsuya's friends to safety so they will not recall their memories. After Nyarlathotep's defeat, with multiple victories to Philemon, Nyarlathotep was banished to parts unknown, leaving Philemon to serve as a guide to others, though their game is far from over.
He can later be fought as an ultimate boss in his EX Dungeon. During the battle, Philemon reveals himself to be an extremely powerful Persona-user who, among few other bosses in the entire game, holds the distinct honor of being able to withstand the ultimate Fusion Spell, Armageddon. When it is used against him, he will retaliate by sending a stronger, absolutely unsurvivable version of it called Armageddon R. Upon defeat, Philemon thanks the party for showing him the limitless potential that people hold within themselves, before sending everyone back to the real world.
Tatsuya's Scenario in the PSP version reveals that Nodens is his avatar.
Persona 3[]
Philemon appears in his butterfly guise. It is implied the Wild Card ability wielders have both unconsciously met Philemon, as both had an encounter with a glowing blue butterfly, which is implied to be Philemon; Igor no longer makes mention of being a servant of his though he maintains the same demeanor and abilities.
The name "PHIL" which welcomes the main character in the Innocent Sin online game may also be a reference to Philemon. This is only in the English version, as in Japanese the message is directly sent by "STEPHEN," Japanese for Stephen of Shin Megami Tensei.
Persona 3 FES[]
Aigis holding a butterfly (Philemon).
Philemon appears to Aigis during the events of "The Answer" in his butterfly form, flying into her hand when she is alone in her room and then disappearing.
Persona 4[]
The save points throughout the game are blue butterflies flying in small circles.
Persona 4 Golden[]
At the start of the intro to the game a blue butterfly lands on top of a TV and takes the form of antennae.
Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth[]
At the beginning of the game, a blue butterfly is seen trapped in a spider web. Once the party reaches the 8th Floor of the Clock Tower and enters the room in grid A1, Zen notices a butterfly trapped in one of The Capturer's webs, which triggers a request to free it. After completing this request, the next time the party goes to the Clock Tower's entrance, they see the butterfly flying up, higher and higher in the sky until it disappears. After finishing the game, the same blue butterfly seen in the beginning is seen struggling briefly in the web before it frees itself and flies away.
Additionally, two blue butterflies are seen circling around the save gears that are found before the boss of each labyrinth.
Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth[]
Philemon appears in both his blue and yellow butterfly forms, and is seen delivering a quote to the P5 hero during his nap in Shujin Academy, as well as sending him a motivational message when he escapes the Cinema back to reality in his golden butterfly form. If the party gets a Game Over in the Theater District, he will play a message that has a similar premise to the Game Over message of Eternal Punishment.
DemiKids Light & Dark[]
Philemon is a S-Rank BattleNet Opponent said to have power over demons. He is quick to spot an opponent's weaknesses. Karfu is given after 1 defeat, Loki after 7 and a Scorpio after 14. His profile changes to say that he may soon give his power over demons to someone else.
Stats[]
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment[]
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Battle Quotes[]
- "I'm impressed you made it here. You are the strongest I've ever seen. Now, give me your all, my friends." (Battle start)
- "Now, give me your all!" (Attempt to contact)
- "Believe in yourselves." (If the player attempts to escape)
- "I know you didn't." (Using physical attack)
- "Dodge this." (Using physical attack)
- "I'm not going easy on you." (Using Photon Cannon)
- "Don't let your guard down!" (Using Guard Punish)
- "Well then." (Using Guard Punish)
- "This might hurt." (Using Eternal White)
- "You're doing well!" (Using Transient Ripple)
- "How's this!" (Using Spectra Force)
- "Pull out, my friend." (Using Armageddon R)
- "Ugh! Good!" (When taking damage)
- "Unfortunately, you were this close. Try again." (When player's party is annihilated)
- "Ahh... Nice!" (When defeated)
Gallery[]
.gif "Philemon (Persona PS1).gif (76 KB)")
Trivia[]
- It was stated by Atlus in an interview in the DoubleJump guide that Philemon in his butterfly form is a sign that he is still watching over Makoto Yuki from Persona 3 and Yu Narukami from Persona 4.
- Though the blue butterfly does appear in Persona 5, it is later revealed to be not Philemon, but rather the soul of Lavenza spilt apart from her body.
- Philemon's depiction as a yellow butterfly may have both roots in Zhuangzhi's Butterfly Dream and common Japanese folklore. In Japanese culture, butterflies, especially yellow ones, are believed to represent a person's soul. This belief is best reflected in the folk tale Dream of Akinosuke, where the titular Akinosuke's soul leaves his body and goes on an adventure while he sleeps in the form of a yellow butterfly.
