u/NovaPsi8

I was checking out the reservation website for the early screening of season 3 and found something interesting. The run time is 52 min, which means we may get a longer first episode, like with the Bridon arc! I know this may be a misinterpretation on my end as there may be extra stuff they're showcasing that could affect the runtime, but I'm still hopeful!!

Recently, I came across an old book in my library regarding flower symbolism. As season 3 approaches, I figured this would be a good way to spend my time anticipating the upcoming season. I am aware of a couple of older posts in this sub regarding flower symbolism and how it relates to each character and their potential story beats. I'm building off of those, to an extent, so there may be a bit of overlap. Also, to keep in mind, I'm no botanist or florist, so the good ol' library and internet have been my sources for this. One more thing before I get into it, I don't have any other social media besides reddit, so I may miss a couple of things that may have been revealed or explained on some other platform. If anything like that comes up, please let me know!

I have attached some photos from the aforementioned book, so I'm not going to go over line by line what is in each photo, just the immediately relevant pieces.

Okay so just to line it out, the characters and their associated flowers are thus:

Lu Guang: Forget-me-not (Myosotis)

Cheng Xiaoshi: Daisy (Bellis perennis)

Qiao Ling: Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis)

Vein: Dahlia

Xia Fei: Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Liu Xiao: Spiderwort (Tradescantia)

Firstly, I noticed something kind of incredible while looking into these flowers. Dahlias, sunflowers, and daisies are all part of the Asteraceae family. In my mind, I feel like that was intentional. I've seen a number of theories floating around alluding to the idea that some of the characters have been experimented on as test subjects of some sort. I think this relationship between the characters and their flowers gives more credence and validation to that type of theory because who are associated with those flowers? Vein, CXS, and XF. There has already been some info that points to at LEAST Vein and XF were experimented on at some point (e.g., the Escape Velocity video, Vein's metal spine in Unforgiven - though the latter could have just been a design choice, just to name a few; I'm sure there may be more). Either way, I don't think this connection is mere coincidence, especially with how so many of the smaller details have meant so much for this series (I'm looking at you, passcode to LG's phone lol).

Secondly, LX's flower has some interesting connotations to it: momentary happiness, transient felicity. After rewatching the series for the third time, I've picked up on something about LX: he floats into and out of people's lives, and seems happy/pleased doing it. Take his interaction with LTC. He came in, taught him the hunter/prey thing, then left. Years later, he comes back with a smile, bringing LTC into the fold of whatever plan he has cooking. Same thing with LX's parents, he goes overseas for an extended period, only to temporarily return home. He seems to drift into and out of people's lives and we haven't seen him really express much more than a smile (okay, I know a smile doesn't always mean happy, but I could talk about the expression part forever, so I'm intentionally leaving that part out lol). LX seems to live for those very, painfully short moments of bliss. This lines up well with his assigned flower.

Next we have LG's flower, the Forget-me-not. This one I feel is pretty self explanatory, however there are a few interesting pieces of info I dug up in relation to this flower. Not only is it related to memories, specifically in remembering those we have lost, it also symbolizes loyalty, shared secrets, and faithfulness; all traits that make up a significant portion of LG's character. Also something to note, in the photo for Forget-me-nots, it lists something called "Secrecyl". I am almost certain this is a typo and is meant to say "secrecy". Keeping that in mind, this also makes sense because LG still has so many secrets he still holds incredibly close to his chest. I think season 3 is when that dam will burst and we'll get to see exactly what he's been holding onto so tightly.

For CXS, we have the Bellis (Daisy). Sunshine boy #2 absolutely fits with this flower, especially when it comes to the aspects of purity, simplicity, and strength. My third rewatch of Link Click was actually with a friend of mine. His favorite character is CXS, and when I asked him why, his answer was thus: "he represents the impulsive side of humanity but is guided by a pure conscience". Based simply on that, I can't think of a better flower to represent him than the daisy.

Can't forget about sunshine boy #1, XF. His flower is the sunflower because of course it is lol. But in all seriousness, the sunflower symbolizes more than the sun, brightness, warmth, and so on. It is also associated with false appearances, false riches, and ambition. I found this to be interesting because of XF's origins (as we know it, pre season 3): a "nerdy" student turned stunning model. Clearly the job exhausts him, and he may not have done it if the pay wasn't good. And what is a model but a false representation of beauty? Not only that, but the way he appeared in the season 3 trailers and PV make me think that there is a mask he wears that we will see discarded in season 3. Perhaps it is Vein's death? Perhaps something else entirely. I've begun to think XF has been putting on a front for the majority of the screentime he's had so far. One last thought on that matter, but his appearance in LG and CXS's lives is an inherently false presentation: he's there to spy on them for LX, not to garner friendship (though one could argue the friendship he developed with them was an unexpected perk of the gig, if it is truly friendship he feels).

Our girl QL is up next with the hyacinth. The associated connotations fit her exceptionally well, especially constancy, gentleness, and love. An interesting connotation that I didn't exactly expect was that of protection. I keep thinking about the bell scene in one of the season 3 trailers and I can't help but think that in may be foreshadowing that she may end up paying the ultimate price to protect CXS and/or LG. This also brings to mind the scene of LG breaking down on the train tracks, talking about how he can't be a part of a future where they're both gone. I have to wonder if once he tells QL (if that's what he's even doing in that scene, we'll have to wait and see), she takes some kind of initiative on her own to help him. I don't know if she'll be targeted specifically for anything, but I could see her stepping in and protecting her friends. One other interesting thing to note is the hyacinth can also be associated with death and revival. This might be a stretch, but what if she dies in the bell scene, but somehow brings herself back? Or perhaps someone else does? Food for thought.

Finally, we have Vein and the dahlia. It's no surprise it's associated with elegance, eloquence, pomp, and good taste. Bro is probably one of the most well dressed characters in the entire series. Bro serves c*nt at every opportunity. It is interesting though that the dahlia is also associated with novelty. That lines up well with him when you look at his eating habits. I could be wrong, but I don't think we ever see him eating the same thing twice. In his character intro PV he has a crazy spread of food and... other things... to indulge in. Pleasure seeking behavior, if I've ever seen it lol; pleasure and novelty tend to go hand in hand. However, the most interesting and compelling association between Vein and the dahlia is the warning of change. I'm not sure what that could actually mean, but I have a couple of ideas. His introduction in the timeline seems anomalous, especially when he tries to kill LG in the studio. I always found it odd that LG was his target, yet when CXS took the bullet for LG, Vein just... leaves. Like he's okay with that outcome. I have to wonder if he truly did mean to take out LG specifically, but figured that CXS dying might be worse than death for LG, so he just let it go. It also brings to mind the fight scene in one of the season 3 trailers where he's fighting with LX. I think some others have put together that LX may be under the control of someone else (the whole lavender eyes thing) during that scene, but still. Lastly, why on earth is CXS possessing child Vein? Unless a new power is revealed, he had to have had a photo that Vein himself took. Not sure how he would get ahold of a photo like that, unless Vein maybe turns over and helps LG and CXS. Maybe not, but it's still a fun idea.

Alright, I know that post was super long, but I would love to hear everyone's thoughts, theories, feedback, etc. I love this community and you guys always have something interesting to say that I've likely never even considered, whether in regard to a theory, or otherwise. Thanks for reading!