Thread by @TypicalJAnt

One Piece Theory

The Curse of the Holy Land

#ONEPIECE #Theory

This idea came to me whilst I was discussing the foreshadowing that can be found in Skypiea.

Looking back at Noland's flashback, the subject of the Shandorian's sacrifices to god stands out as something that seems like it may have deeper significance.

For 400 years after the destruction of Shandora at the end of the Void Century, the people of Shandora had believed that any misfortune that befell them was a curse from God.

The only way to prevent divine judgement was to make ritual human sacrifices at the alter of god.

Looking at this alter that the Shandorians used, it looks quite familiar to something we've seen more recently, doesn't it?

This alter looks a lot like the alter of the Empty Throne.

Sacrifices at the alter of God? Is that not exactly what the Gorosei were doing when they bowed to Imu? Offering sacrifices at the alter of God

Would this not mean that the Gorosei also think that they're cursed?

It has always been interesting that both Jaya & Mariejois have been referred to as Holy Lands.

In the case of Jaya, it was because it's rich soil, known to them as, 'Vearth', enabled them to grow the plants their ancestors had lacked on the moon

Since Mariejois used to be ruled by the Lunarians, it would make sense that this became known as a holy land for the same reason as Jaya did. It enabled them to prosper through natural resources.

We can see this to be true, from the existence of the Room of Flowers & King's tat

This importance of plants connects back to the situation happening in Noland's flashback.

Noland fights with Calgara & explains to him that the plague that is 'cursing' them is not a curse from god, it is Tree Fever. His own homeland had suffered from it.

This plague was curable without need of sacrifices to God. A famous botanist from South Blue had found a cure.

Noland was later shown to cut down the infected trees. This outraged Calgara, because these trees were believed to hold the souls of their descendants.

Both the cause of and the solution to this 'curse' is a plant. The infected trees cause the Tree Fever / plague / curse.

They are led to believe that this curse is from God but it is actually caused by plants. Unfortunately even then, the plants are too important to remove

But why did the Shandorians believe that any misfortune that befell them was a curse from God

Their ancestors were the Gods.

That was, until the Void Century happened.

The Shandorians likely came to believe that they were cursed by God & must offer God sacrifices at his alter, because that is what 'God' told them following their defeat in the Battle of Shandora.

But then, why do the Gorosei also maintain this same practice?

They are cursed.