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In the penultimate episode of Puella Magi Madoka Magica, we briefly see this
image, _possibly_ formed by the ice in a glass of alcohol when Madoka's mother
is at the bar with Madoka's teacher. (This image comes right before a "break"
from that scene before the episode shifts back to Homura's room, so it's hard
to tell. While initially that seemed like a reasonable interpretation to me,
in retrospect, the two "blades" here suggest that this isn't the case, and
that the image is superimposed onto something else.)

![Image of Creation of Adam detail superimposed onto something
else](https://i.stack.imgur.com/prmGe.png)

This clearly seems to be one of the more famous details from Michelangelo's
_The Creation of Adam_ , which is on the Sistine Chapel ceiling:

![Creation of Adam detail](https://i.stack.imgur.com/0bbjl.jpg)

What is the significance of this image in the context of the anime series?
With other references in the series, there's often a clearer connection (e.g.
to Goethe's _Faust_ ) but here it doesn't seem as obvious, and the only
interpretation I can think of is related to Madoka becoming some sort of god,
but even so, using this specific reference doesn't seem to make much sense
here.


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2014-04-28T09:03:55.837
9164
2014-04-28T10:27:04.813
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question
madoka-magica symbolism
What's the significance of this Michelangelo reference?


Madoka's mother is drinking from a faceted glass and what your screenshot
shows are two edges of it and the Michelangelo's painting behind the glass.
The dialogue between two women doesn't really correspond with the painting's
theme, as far as I'm concerned.

![](https://i.stack.imgur.com/IedaGm.jpg)
![](https://i.stack.imgur.com/e0EJCm.jpg)

The painting seems to be part of the entourage of the bar. With studio Shaft
in charge of creating this anime, you can safely assume that it's a subtle
hint at one of the many existential topics raised in it. It's probably not
very significant in relation to the plot, but it just may give you some food
for thought.

Consider the process of Adam's creation by God a metaphor for a magical girl
becoming a witch. As a more powerful entity, witches are capable of creating
their own kind by corrupting magical girls. Something along those lines.


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2014-04-28T10:27:04.813
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2014-04-28T10:27:04.813
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answer