In this recurring series, I’ll analyze the origins of Pokémon designs and their allusions to Mediterranean culture from Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet.
Flittle
This cute Psychic-type chick Pokémon has a name that combines “flitter” and “little”. It is covered in several layers of frills that sway back and forth while it floats in the air.
Its design is inspired by baby birds. Like many other countries, there are many chicken breeds that come from Spain based on centuries of raising them. It also resembles a large egg draped in fabric.
Flittle’s toes levitate about half an inch above the ground because of the psychic power emitted from the frills on the Pokémon’s belly.
It spends its time running around wastelands. If anyone steals its beloved berries, it will chase them down and exact its revenge.
Pokédex
A baby wrapped up in frills makes it resemble a bonnet, a common headgear for many Europeans in the Middle Ages.
Espathra
Flittle will grow up fully and evolve into Espathra. Its name is a combination of “ESP” and “Cleopatra”.
Espathra is based on an ostrich, a flightless bird that lives mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. As it’s flightless, it is a pure Psychic-type, without a secondary Flying-typing. Ostriches are known for their ability to run very quickly, reaching a top speed of 43 miles-per-hour. This is why Espathra has such a high base speed.
It immobilizes opponents by bathing them in psychic power from its large eyes. Despite its appearance, it has a vicious temperament.
It emits psychic power from the gaps between its multicolored frills and sprints at speeds greater than 120 mph.
Pokédex
Cleopatra was a pharaoh of Egypt who lived during the time of the Roman Empire and played a key role in Mediterranean geopolitics. In many works of art, she is depicted wearing a short, straight headdress or a nemes which is similar to Espathra’s hair. Its loose, wavy tail feathers resemble a dress. She had a relationship with Roman general Mark Antony.
Its mystical connection and ostrich design might be a reference to the Egyptian god Maat, who is often depicted with ostrich feathers on her head. The ostrich feather here depicts truth. Maat stands for law and order. In Egyptian folklore, this order extended to the cosmos, representing the natural order of everything.
Espathra is the only Pokémon who can use the move Lumina Crash which does damage and also sharply lowers the target’s special defense, allowing multiple uses of the attack to quickly deal more damage. It has the signature ability Opportunist which can mirror any stat boost of the opponent.
These might reference Maat’s principles of balance and shining a light through the darkness.
Conclusion
Espathra’s connection to Spain might be light at first, although its design origins relate to Egypt and its influences on the Mediterranean including Spain. Similar to Rabsca, this Pokémon reflects the biological diversity of the entire sea and Espathra’s inspirations from Roman and Egyptian cultures. Share your thoughts about this evolutionary line in the comments.
Don’t forget to join the Mt. Moon Pokémon forums and PokéJungle Discord server.
November Giveaway
