What does "Shu" mean in Shadow and Bone?

What does "Shu" mean in Shadow and Bone? - Self Care Isn't Selfish Signage

In the Netflix show Shadow and Bone, the main protagonist Alina is often called "half Shu". I understand that there are two separate races in this show, human and Grisha. Grisha people have superpowers. Humans don't. But humans often called Alina "Shu" girl and meant lower race than them. I think I missed this part.

What is meant by "Shu"?

Was it meant like it’s a disgrace or bad? Humans also said that Alina, the sun summoner, also looked like a Shu. Is there any explanation what they meant by Shu and why is it bad?



Best Answer

Shu refers to the Shu Han, a nation and people to the south of Ravka, the country where most of the scenes in the show are set. In the books, Ravka and Shu Han have been at war for centuries.

Grisha are not 'a race' in the show but humans that have the ability to exercise the magic, called 'Small Science' in the books. Grisha are found in multiple nations/races. However Ravka is more noted for training and militarizing Grisha in the Second Army.

As we can see in the show there is prejudice between races, and distrust of Grisha. Alina is discriminated against because she has lived in Ravka all her life but looks Shu.




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What does Shu mean on Shadow bone?

The meaning of Shu in Shadow and Bone A Shu is a person from the nation of Shu Han, one of the countries in Shadow and Bone's world.

Is Alina Starkov SHU?

One important detail that the show introduces at the start of the series is that its heroine Alina is half-Shu, and has facial features common in neighboring country of Shu Han. Alina's race is a large part of her character, as it influences how people treat her throughout the show (a parallel to real life).

Why do they hate Shu in Shadow and Bone?

But the Shu people are often considered Ravka's enemies, in part because they're known to experiment on Grisha, the super-powered Ravkans who make up the country's Second Army.

What does Grisha mean in Shadow and Bone?

Grisha are the soldiers of the Second Army, though they are more often called \u201cMasters of the Small Science.\u201d In the Shadow and Bone books, Grisha powers are not, in fact, \u201cmagical.\u201d These abilities are referred to as \u201cpracticing the small science\u201d because Grisha cannot create something from nothing.



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