Did you know that Team RWBY are based on the magnum opus of alchemy, the creation of the philosopher’s stone?



Blake: nigredo, earth, Belle

Weiss: albedo, water, Snow White

Yang: citrinitas, fire, Goldilocks

Ruby: rubedo, air, Little Red Riding Hood



This motif is about two thousand years old, and works with the classical elements secondary motif of Team RWBY. As we know that Ruby is the youngest, at 16, while the other three are 18, this may imply, from the order of the steps of creating a philosopher’s stone (except for sacrificium vitae), that Blake’s the eldest member, Weiss is the second oldest, and Yang’s the second youngest.



Interestingly, Edward Elric (who’s also Ruby and Yang’s uncle) has the magnum opus as his colour motif, with his gold hair and eyes, red cloak, and black clothes with white details. He searched for the philosopher’s stone. But, as Vic wasn’t the first choice for Qrow, and it’s possible that the similarities with the magnum opus are coincidental, this theory may be just wild speculation.