Was Mary Geoise named after Joy Boy's mother?

Summary

  • Linguistic clues in One Piece suggest that Mary Geoise was originally “Mary Joy”, symbolizing the sea and joy.

  • The theory links Mary Joy to Joy Boy, suggesting a familial bond that represents freedom and prosperity.

  • Imu's adoption of the name “Mary Joy” may symbolize conquest and transformation, erasing the legacy of the Old Kingdom.

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The mysteries of One piece they're what makes Eiichiro Oda's narrative so compelling. But with Oda's narrative style (which builds over time and leaves plenty of room for interpretation) theories are bound to happen. And no possibility — from Shanks having an evil twin to Imu being JoyBoy's deputy — is “too ridiculous.”

One such theory is that Mary Geoise, the celestial capital at the top of the Red Line, was originally named “Mary Joy”, with ties to Joy Boy's mother, or perhaps a figure deeply connected to him. It seems far-fetched, but with linguistic clues, mythological parallels, and historical suggestions in mind, the case for Mary Geoise being “Mary Joy” seems somehow more likely than not.

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The linguistic clues in One Piece: “Mary”, “Imu” and “Geoise”

The name “Mary Geoise” (マリージョア or Marijois) offers a wealth of potential meanings. In multiple languages, “Maria” connects to the sea: in Latin and Spanish, “Mar” means “sea,” while “Maria” has roots like “Stella Maris” or “Star of the Sea” in French. Likewise, “Imu,” when reversed, is spelled “Umi,” the Japanese word for sea.

“Geoise,” on the other hand, seems related to the French term “bourgeoisie,” which represents the upper class. However, its pronunciation is also very similar to “Joy”. Just like when it was revealed that “Laugh Tale” is a pun on “Raftel,” it's plausible that “Mary Geoise” was originally “Mary Joy.”

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If Mary Joy was indeed the original Old Kingdom name, then her connection to Joy Boy becomes even more intriguing. The name “Joy Boy” may derive from “Mary Joy's Boy”, suggesting a familial relationship. Joy Boy may have been the son, or spiritual successor, of someone named Mary Joy, whose ideals or legacy represented freedom and prosperity.

There is also another possibility that Mary Joy was the name of the Old Kingdom, and Joy Boy was the man who represented it internationally (against the 20 Kingdoms). Imu, in a display of power after defeating the kingdom, named them after her new world.

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The mythological parallels of Mary, Imu and Joy Boy

This theory gains strength when viewed through the lens of mythology. The name Maria, like “Star of the Sea”, is linked to Venus, symbol of love, beauty and abundance. Venus is also the “Morning Star,” an image that resonates with Shirahoshi (Poseidon), whose name means “White Star.” Imu's lush private garden, filled with ancient plants, reflects Venus' association with fertility and life.

Imu's connection to the sea, through the inverted name “Umi”, suggests a deeper connection to aquatic themes, mermaids, and even the Sun Tree Eva, which supports Fish-Man Island. If Mary Joy had been tied to Old Kingdom ideals, her influence might have extended to both the seas and the natural world, which are central to The one from One Piece myths.

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Conquest and Transformation: The Fall of Mary Geoise

Imu's role as ruler of the Celestial Dragons raises the question of why such a powerful figure would adopt the name Mary Joy, or her distorted form, Mary Geoise. The answer may lie in the act of conquest. By taking the name of the capital of the Old Kingdom, Imu would assert his dominion over his heritage, symbolically erasing its history.

The historical parallels are striking. Just as European colonizers repurposed the names of indigenous lands, Imu's use of Mary Joy may reflect a similar strategy. What once represented joy and prosperity – the ideals of Mary Joy – have been corrupted into the oppressive seat of power we know today.

Why Mary Joy matters

Luffy vs Kaido 1

The connection between Mary Joy and Joy Boy paints a picture of resistance and legacy. If Joy Boy's existence was tied to Mary Joy, it highlights the stakes of the ongoing battle against the World Government. Parallels with characters such as Shirahoshi, Eve of the Sun Tree, and the ideals of freedom further strengthen the plausibility of this theory.

Imu's inability to destroy Fishman Island or harm Shirahoshi suggests a limitation related to the ancient past. Could the Sun Tree Eva, which supports life below the Red Line, hide a secret that the Imu cannot destroy without revealing their power? If Mary Joy was truly the name of the Old Kingdom, then its ideals of coexistence and abundance still resonate, even in the face of the tyranny of the World Government.

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