Someone on another forum claimed that Rozen is actually the Count de Saint-Germain, a historical figure from the 18th century :
Saint-Germain was a rather eccentric fellow, who was said to be an alchemist, having discovered the secret of eternal life. (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Count_of_St_Germain )
This image from the Rozen Maiden manga seems to confirm this :
The last panel says something like "count Saint-Germain is nothing but a cheater"...
Also, the manga page matches this image from episode 8 of Traümend where Shinku reminisces about her "father" :
Does anyone have more details about Rozen’s background in the manga ?
Anyway, if this is true, why did Peach-Pit choose Count Saint-Germain as "Father" and have him call himself "Rozen" ?
Maybe because there was a "rumour" that St Germain was the "reincarnation" of Christian Rosenkreutz, the founder of a mystical secret society in the 15th century called the "Rose Cross" (still in activity in the 18th century) :
By the way, in the 18th century, mechanical automatons were very popular ; some craftsmen were able to build amazing automatons who could play instruments, write and even draw :
Incidentally, at the same time, the Japanese had also become quite adept at making automatons, called "karakuri ningyou" :
Anyway, in the image from the manga, we see Rozen/St Germain with a glowing stone... probably trying to make a "Rosa Mystica".
Actually, Saint-Germain was known for owning a huge amount of precious gems, and for knowing a mysterious technique for purging gems from any impurities. He also claimed to have mastered the secret of the "philosopher's stone", which granted eternal youth and could turn lead to gold.
Incidentally, during the 13th century, there was a German theologist, philosopher and alchemist called Albertus Magnus who allegedly used a "philosopher’s stone" to build a talking, thinking automaton with a soul. Albertus’ "android" was later destroyed by his apprentice Thomas Aquinus for being a "tool of Satan".
Anyway, there is one question that has often been asked, due to the cruel "Alice Game" : is Rozen evil ?
Well, count St Germain appears in another recent anime, "le Chevalier d’Eon", and he’s definitely evil (and sports an ugly haircut) ^_^ :
