Represents “instinct”

Parsifal kills the Red Knight

takes his raw energy

and turns it into “ego” (adolescence)

then into a larger “self” that is his

manhood

Ivan Biliban, 1900(1876-1942)

The Red Knight

Gournamond

A godfather and mentor

A young man’s new father figure

Trains Parsifal in the ways of

knighthood

Mentor

Fragment of an ancient Greek mural

“White Flower”

Parsifal’s “Lady Fair”

Found while searching for his

mother

She is the “inspirer”of his heroic

deeds

Howard Pyle, 1902

The Hideous Damsel In Wagner’s opera, Parsifal, she is named

“Kundry,” the “Rose of Hades”

The carrier of doubt and despair

Beckons the knight to leave his

community

and“go it alone”, to find his own way

through the darkness of suffering

She arrives mid-journey, (mid-life)

An encounter with the “loathly maiden”

is a crucial opportunity for spiritual growth

The Hermit Within The introverted part of oneself

Stores energy and waits

Typically encountered in middle or

older age

Rider Tarot Card

The Grail Castle

Parsifal comes asking, “Whom

Does the Grail serve?”

The answer he receives: “The

Grail serves the Grail King.”

Grail King = God

The object of life and all quests

is not personal gain, but to

serve God

By asking the right question,

Parsifal brings healing to the

dying Fisher King inside the

castle