What's the significance of the grandfather clock in Elfen Lied?


In the anime _Elfen Lied_ , Kouta and Yuuka own a grandfather clock that, if I
recall correctly, has been broken for quite some time prior to the start of
the series. At the very end of the final episode, Kouta and Yuuka sit down
(with Nana and Mayu, I believe) to start their new life... only for the
grandfather clock to mysteriously start chiming, apropos of nothing, just as

> a figure implied to be Lucy approaches the front door.

I never understood what the deal was with the grandfather clock, and why it
suddenly began working again at the end. I'm guessing that it must be symbolic
of something, but I can't think what it might be symbolizing. If it's meant to
symbolize Kouta moving on with his life, then

> Lucy apparently showing up again rather ruins that.

**What is the significance of the grandfather clock in _Elfen Lied_?**




My personal interperation of the clock was always that it symbolizes the start
of a normal live for Kouta and company. Which in place would fit really well
with the ending of the rhyme
[elfenlied](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elfenlied) which insinuates the
'elf' observing, hitting it's head on a stone with Cuckoo sounds.

> "What are those bright windows?  
>  There must be a wedding inside;  
>  The little people are sitting at the feast,  
>  And make merry in the hall.  
>  So I'll just take a peep inside!"  
>  — Fie! he hits his head on hard stone!  
>  Well, elf, had enough, have you?  
>  Cuckoo! Cuckoo!

Some people however, also suggest that it might be Nyu, as opposed to Lucy.
With the clock chiming in the _start_ or maybe even _birth_ of Nyu, into the
world of normal humans.

Personally I think this was left open in a way it could be interpreted both in
a positive and a negative ending. This both to drive people to read the manga
[which has a slightly different
story](https://anime.stackexchange.com/a/779/1458) and to stay in line with
the rhyme, as this can be interpreted in both a negative and a positive tone.

