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A magic circle (魔法陣 Mahoujin) is a figure composed by a great number of symbols related to the powers, techniques and procedence of the magician. Generally, the magic circles are what differentiates mages from one another, each creates a magic circle of their own - it is like their signature. Magic circles work as an field of energy that activates the moment a mage is about to perform a spell. This magic circle is visible under the mage's feet, and its power surrounds him/her as if it was a Ki or Aura.

Clow Reed's Magic Circle[]

Clowmc

Clow Reed's magic circle

The figure for Clow's magic circle consists of a 12 point-star, with the symbols of the cardinal points inside the corners. It has the image of the sun in the centre, and next to it is the moon. Clow's magic is symbolized by "light and darkness".

The arrangement of the sun and the moon in the circle highlights the nature of the imbalance; the sun takes centre-stage, while the moon is pushed to the side; the balance of Clow Reed's magic is tipped in favour of yang over yin.

This imbalance that caused Clow Reed's problems was also the reason behind his unusually-long life span. In contrast to Clow Reed's magic circle, Sakura's star takes centre-stage, holding the sun and the moon in place, the yin and yang in her magic kept in balance.

  • Clow's magic is also a mixture of both Western and Eastern magic (having an English father and a Chinese mother), so it also has both Chinese and English characters on it.

High Priest Yukito's Magic Circle[]

Tsubasa - Yukito

High Priest Yukito's magic circle

High Priest Yukito uses a magic circle based on Clow Reed's, as he was taught by Clow Reed himself, but instead of a Sun symbol, it has a second, bigger crescent Moon symbol at the middle, referring to his moon-based powers. It has the same runes, but are sharper and more refined than the stylized symbols in Clow Reed's circle. It also appears to have the spokes of a solar symbol beneath the larger moon, possibly representing a solar eclipse. It is also worth mentioning that like Clow Reed's circle, it has text within it and if looked at closely, the words "magic square" could be made out repeatedly. It can be assumed that the text within Clow Reed's circle is the same.


Sakura Kinomoto's Magic Circle[]

Sakuramc

Sakura Kinomoto's magic circle

The main symbol in Sakura's magic circle is the star within it. Like Clow's, it forms a 10-point star with three squares, surrounding these are the symbols of the Western Zodiac. Next to the 10-point star in the center are the sun and the moon. These represent Cerberus and Yue, who protect the star, meaning Sakura.

In contrast to Clow Reed's magic circle, Sakura's star takes centre-stage, holding the sun and the moon in place, the yin and yang in her magic is kept in balance.

Symbol Description

The Chinese written on this circle signifies the cardinal direction points on a compass.

北 (Běi) is located on the top and means "North"

東 (Dōng) is on the right and means "East"

南 (Nán) is located in the bottom and means "South"

西 (Xi) is towards the left and means "West"

The Western Zodiac symbols in the inner ring of the circles are as followed from the top left going clockwise: Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus.

  • This circle is the same used for Sakura Li, maybe due to the fact that she received the Star Sealing Wand from Sakura Kinomoto.

Syaoran Li's Magic Circle (Cardcaptor Sakura)[]

Tsubasa - Syaoran

Syaoran Li's magic circle

Although not a magic circle, the compass' outline is also seen for Tsubasa Li.

Syaoran Li and Tsubasa Li both use the same magic compass and sword. In the 1st Cardcaptor Sakura movie, Yelan Li, Syaoran’s mother uses the same magic compass as well.

Symbols description

From the characters closest to the yin-yang symbol and going around clockwise, they read:
冬、春、夏、秋 - winter, spring, summer, fall
水、火、風、地 - water, fire, wind, earth
北、東、南、西 - North, East, South, West
天、鬼、地、神 - Heaven, Demon, Earth, God

Yūko Ichihara's Magic Circle[]

Tsubasa - Yuuko

Yūko Ichihara's magic circle

Yūko Ichihara's magic circle is bright purple and contains many symbols. The symbol in the center is an eye, and surrounded by the 8 stages of the moon. The circles that are directly upwards, downwards, and to the sides (north, south, east and west) contain a symbol that looks similar to the staff that the Tsubasa group paid to Yuko in one of the chapters. The smaller circles on the diagonals contain the avatars of the machine in MKR. Three of the symbols in the diagonals of the circle are the Rayearth "machine" symbols. The fourth diagonal looks like an infinite symbol. The smallest circles on the edge of the entire magic circle are the zodiac signs. In the external circle are the symbols of the Western Zodiac.

  • Yūko's circle is also used for Sakura Li.

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