Inspiration

Arabasta and the Faraonic Egypt

In Arabasta, without a doubt Oda was inspired by Faraonic Egypt for this arc and island. The own name of the island is formed by the word "Arab", like his cities that are inspired by Egyptian cities or the own inclusion of Kahira in the texts of the Poneglyph. His architecture, sculpture, deserts, clothes... all this inspired by the image that all we have of Egypt, even Rainbase represents that image of the paradise in the middle of the desert.

As far as the characters of this arc goes, we also see many references to Faraonic Egypt. Chaka, the Guardian Spirit of Arabasta, transformed into jackal and is feared for his fury in combat and respected by all the allied army and rivals, the jackals in Egypt were feared and venerated animals simultaneously. Also inspired by the figure of Anubis, which was one of the Egyptian Gods represented with a jackal head.

Oda in Pell's case changes a vulture with a hawk. A vulture would be too betrayer to be considered a Guardian Spirit. The Egyptians had respected the vultures since once deaths... they (and the jackals) always come for the rests. Pell is also inspired in Horus, song of Isis and Osiris, represented with falcon head.

The following figure will be the King Nefertari Cobra. We could put him as the figure of the Pharaoh. The first that calls attention from him is the last name, Nefertari, which can be assumed as reference to Neftis Goddess or a reference to Nefertiti, although in this case represented by Vivi. Returning to Cobra, the cobras were very respected in Egypt since they were the symbol of Isis goddess.

Crocodile.... Why a crocodile? For the sacred crocodiles of RA God of Gods. The crocodile could be resembled in certain way to Seth the betrayer of God... but this is not clear at all...

The different positions from the Baroque Works Mr. 1, Mr. 2... can resemble each one of which helped the God Seth (Crocodile) to betray to the God Osiris (King Cobra).