Under the Killing Moon Illustration Inspired by Thrice

I’ve been diving deeper into the powerful imagery and themes found in The Artist in the Ambulance by Thrice. The latest piece in this series is a reimagining of the Hanged Man Tarot card, but with a twist—the Hanged Woman Tarot card, inspired by the song Under the Killing Moon.

For this piece, I wanted to explore the song’s lyrics and their themes of persecution, complicity, and the struggle between action and inaction. The imagery of the Hanged Man card, which traditionally represents a pause or reflection, seemed like the perfect vessel to convey these themes, but with a much darker, more agonizing perspective. I’ve reinterpreted the Hanged Man as the Hanged Woman, a figure caught in a moment of suffering and sacrifice, forced into a state of helplessness and reflection, but with the potential for inner transformation.

The Song’s Lyrics and the Symbolism of the Tarot

The song Under the Killing Moon speaks to themes of suffering, injustice, and the moral conflict of standing by and watching others burn. The lyrics, “If you wanna call our bluff, get in line and wait your turn / And watch the witches burn,” reflect a world where people are persecuted for their differences and forced into inaction, an idea mirrored in the Hanged Woman Tarot card. The song calls attention to complicity, urging the listener to consider what it means to remain silent in the face of injustice. This concept of passive observation was at the core of my design, where the Hanged Woman contemplates her position, questioning whether to act or remain silent.

The flames in the background of the illustration are not just destructive, they also symbolize the potential for purification, transformation, and rebirth. In the traditional Tarot interpretation of the Hanged Man, fire can represent the burning away of old patterns or the release of the self from unnecessary attachments. In my version, the fire represents not only the victim's sacrifice but also the possibility of change, even through intense suffering. It’s a paradox, while the figure is burning, they may also be on a path to something greater.

The Design Process

The illustration features a woman dressed in a red gown, suspended upside down with her hands bound, flames spiraling around her as she is forced to watch the chaos and suffering unfold. The gold and black color palette brings out the heavy, dark theme of the design, while the delicate linework and intricate details emphasize the suffering and tension in the image.

The figure’s facial expression is one of quiet reflection, embodying both the agony of her situation and the potential for growth. The flames, which engulf the background, contrast the stillness of the figure, reflecting the duality of suffering and transformation. I wanted the figure to seem like she was caught in a moment of agony, but also one of self-reflection and potential change, this is where the concept of transformation through suffering really comes to life.

Why Under the Killing Moon Inspired This Tarot Card Concept

When I listened to Under the Killing Moon for the first time, I was struck by the lyrics and their depiction of injustice, persecution, and moral ambiguity. The idea of watching others suffer, yet remaining silent, fit perfectly with the symbolism of the Hanged Man Tarot card. But I wanted to add a layer of complexity to the design, while the Hanged Man card often represents a passive state, I saw this as an active, agonizing suspension, where the figure could still make a choice.

The victim in this piece is not just suffering; they are also in the process of being transformed, burned at the stake, but perhaps also on the path to becoming something greater, something more powerful. This duality of destruction and transformation is at the core of the piece, echoing the song’s themes of complicity, sacrifice, and the consequences of choosing silence.

Check Out the Creation Process

I’ve documented the creation of this illustration in a timelapse video that you can check out on my Instagram (@drawn_to_noise). Watching this piece come to life was an exciting process, and I’m thrilled to share it with you all. I’d love to hear your thoughts and interpretations of the design, as well as any feedback on how I’ve integrated the themes of the song and Tarot.

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more pieces from the Drawn to Noise project!