One possible significance of the name of the hydra station
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By talksinhersleep
- One possible significance of the name of the hydra station
- Created: Dec 20, 2007
- Last updated: Aug 13, 2008
- After episode: 3.22: Through The Looking Glass
- Status: Current
- Flag this theory:
Hydras appear to be unique among animals in that they do not undergo senescence (aging) (Wikipedia 2007).
— talksinhersleep
Lostpedia gives a few good reasons why the hydra station might be named the way it is:
1) The names of the stations seem to be related to Apollo from Greek mythology. There is a story where Apollo sends his bird to fetch water. The bird is late returning the water. Because he fears Apollo, he captures the Hydra, takes it back to Apollo and blames it for his mistakes. Apollo sees through the deception and punishes them both.
2) The Hydra, itself is a many-headed monster from Greek myth. Theoretically it could not be killed - if a head were cut off, several more would grow in its place. The monster was a sibling to Chimera and Cerberus. It is of note that in medicine a genetic Chimera is a product of both natural and artificial genetic mixing, and can relate to the Hydra Station’s purpose in genetic experiments on animals.
3) The word HYDRA also means ” Any persistent or ever-increasing evil with many sources and causes”.
4) HYDRA means water.
5) HYDRA is also a constellation.
One fact that seems to have been overlooked is that hydras (hydrozoans -which are freshwater invertebrates closely related to jellyfish) do not age. So far, they seem to be the only animal on the planet that we know of that doesn’t age (turtles, deep-sea fishes, whales, and some trees come very close but seem to just age very very slowly) (Leslie 2002 sageke.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/sageke;2002/1/ns1).
Basically, because the hydra can regenerate tissue, it escapes senescence (or aging) by constantly renewing its cells. Given the tissue dynamics of the hydra, over a period of four years somatic cells can divide an average of 300 times and the whole hydra body can be fully replaced at least 60 times.
My theory is that some of the experiments that they were conducting on animals at the hydra station were anti-aging experiments. This relates to Richard’s apparent lack of aging, and Joop, the world’s oldest orangutan.
Another reason why I think the hydra is probably named after the hydrozoan is because the Dharma symbol for the station looks exactly like a hydrozoan :) This may be important as we see the Dharma symbol for the hydra station in the trailer for the next season!
Key locations
| Theme | Relevant Episodes | Theories |
|---|---|---|
| Midsection Beach (original camp) | 1.2, 1.3, 1.1, 1.5, 1.4, 1.6 | 298 |
Very interesting, talks! +1 from me.
ooooh, i like it… it always gives me a little pinch of happiness to read something i’ve never come across before that relates to lost!
a big +1 from me for this nugget of joy.
+1 All I have to say is life extension project, this could be our reality soon not just a Lost one.
Interesting and well written, new info and a new twist, I like it very much +1
That is incredibly interesting about hydras not aging, I had no idea. Great theory!
“Good job” to you and Lostpedia! +1
I too believe that there is a signifigance about the Hydra being shown in the Season 4 extended trailer. Right after they show the Hydra symbol, a guy says” You want to know why we’re here,I’ll tell you why we’re here.” It sure looks like it could have something to do with the Hydra. + 1
Nice to see some new information and some new research that I haven’t read before… I love how when we get something as small as a trailer we dig into the research and unveil something huge before the actual season starts. I do believe it has to do with anti-aging.
Now here is my added tidbit to the whole theory!!! It would also explain why Mikeal (or however he spells it) is able to heal so fast after he is supposed to be dead. His tissue regenerates due to rapid division. Incredible rapid division. I think it explains why he is on the island and believes so much in Jacob. Maybe he came to get his eye to regenerate, but it was too late. But something happened to him after he got to the island and he was instantly healed. Just a thought!
Brilliant! +1
In the flash forward Jack is desperate to get back to the island because he has realised that without the island they age and die! I believe the island and the anti aging research actually have the possibilty of reversing time / aging. This explains the problems with Women giving birth - the development simply does not happen!
This is why the island is so fiercly contested and links to the elixer of life theory with the water supply. Although with everything nature has a way of evening the balance and people can die in the strangest of circumstances on the island.
Fantastic Theory and great research.
talks, what a wonderful and fresh theory. Congrats! +10000 Great backup research, too.
Job well done.
If I Could Give This A Plus +10 I Would…..BUT I Can’t So +1.
I just thought its symbol was a hydra because it was an animal testing station, but you have a very vaild point.
Also and please enlighten me, the greek mythology hydra has seven heads… yet the hydra on the dharma symbol only has six… what does this mean? Could this relate to the six hidden in the season 4 promo. Help me out here. Oh by the way +1 theory
cryoung158, The six in the promos refer to something other than they hydra tentacles on the dharma symbol. Check out darkufo’s site if you want to know more about that. I have a feeling that the hydra on the dharma symbol is actually a hydrozoan and not THE hydra from greek mythology, but who knows :)
Nice find!
god that was brilliant :) talkswhenhesawake dieswhenhesasleep
In the Greek Myth of Hercules The Hydra was a 50 headed water snake. Hercules cut off the heads but 2 more grew back in thier place. Hercules had his friend Isolus burn the roots of the heasds as he cut them off.
Just thought u might want to know all the facts. Overall a good theory.