I think that a possible inspiration for Zacian and Zamazenta is the Irresistible Force Paradox: [1]. The sword and shield is most likely a reference to the old Chinese parable of the spear and shield, but the pair's canine form could also be a reference to the tale of the Teumessian fox and the hound Laelaps. Just a thought. Manga-in-a-bottle (talk) 04:24, 15 June 2019 (UTC)
"Za-"
I think "za" is the Japanese word/spelling of the English word "the". So, their name is simply "the cyan" and "the magenta". ReignBough (talk) 05:21, 24 September 2019 (UTC)
- There was an interview or something that confirmed that was what it meant, being derived from people speaking of them in legends as "the cyan" and "the magenta" before they eventually merged into their names. I can't find the source, though, otherwise I'd make the necessary edit on the page. Eskay64 (talk) 04:29, 8 December 2019 (UTC)
Origin clean-up
Given how the most substantial connections (and the only ones on the page right now) are connections to Arthurian myth (Excalibur, Knights of the Round Table, Morgan le Fay, the messianic return), would it be fair to lead the subsection with "Zacian appears to be inspired by King Arthur" (or "Arthurian mythology")? Bulbapedia doesn't beat around for the bush for Entei or Cobalion et al.
Relatedly: I really do think that Cavall merits a mention in this section. It was removed for only "only having one thing in common" (that of the canine appearance), but if this pair of legendary mons are inspired by Arthurian myth, then the fact that King Arthur had a dog seems like a plausible explanation of why Zacian and Zamazenta are specifically canines and not anything else. Charchetype (talk) 21:48, 8 January 2020 (UTC)
Sif the great wolf
Is it worth while mentioning its obvious similarities to the optional boss from Dark Souls: Sif the great wolf? Both have swords they use in their mouths, both are wolf-creatures, even the stance Zacian takes copies Sif. --Lycos Ex Mortis (talk) 10:10, 11 January 2020 (UTC)
- Copyrighted characters can't be used as a possible basis for origins.--ForceFire 10:22, 11 January 2020 (UTC)
- I never actually mentioned this as related to origins, but it can still work as trivia, hence my asking if its worth noting the similarities aka stating trivia. --Lycos Ex Mortis (talk) 13:02, 11 January 2020 (UTC)
- Sif is neither the first dog to wield a bladed weapon nor is there anything particularly unique about its stance— give a dog a large stick and watch them hold it in the same fashion. Charchetype (talk) 00:19, 12 January 2020 (UTC)