These are just some random interesting insights into the movie. The bits and pieces that make it a brilliant movie.

Water and Rain

In "The Matrix," water is symbolic of the unconsciouness, the dream state of the Matrix. It is also symbolic of baptism (in the rebirth scenes) and perhaps cleansing (in the scenes where Neo is going to meet Morpheus for the first time.) According to the Wachowski brothers, "[Don Davis] digitized raindrops against window panes to create the sound of the matrix code."

In movie, rain (or any falling object that mimics it) represents the code of the matrix, which is comprised of vertical columns of green symbols that appear to fall downwards.

It is raining when Neo awakens from his "bug nightmare." When he goes to the Adams Street Bridge, the rain is pouring off of the bridge and we see the rain streaming down the back window when Neo gets inside of the car. Furthermore, we see the rain running down the side of the Lafayette Hotel (almost like a waterfall) where Neo goes to see Morpheus. At this point, Neo is deep in his ‘Matrix sleep,’ oblivious to the ‘real’ world.

In Mr. Rhineheart's office the window washers are cleaning the office windows. The soap and water bubbles slide down the glass and are wiped off in a downward motion. (Note that the sound they make is the same sound Neo's hand makes when it scrapes against the side of his 'pod' when he is being flushed from the system. Perhaps this is the Matrix's way of giving the mind a way to rationalize that sound.)

The sprinklers in the building where Morpheus is being held go off and it appears that it is raining in the building. The water is seen running down the side of this building as well. A first moment of 'baptism' for Neo.

In the pod (which is similar to the womb), Neo is encased in water and has had no experiences of life outside of the matix. His removal from the matrix and the pod he is in is similar to a "birth" experience. Birth can also represent the waking of the ego--that is, consciouness.

When Neo is flushed out of matrix pod, he ends up in a lake of water, representative of his cleansing, his baptism.

In a later scene, we see the sweat slide down the top of Morpheus's head, looking like rain drops.

The bullet casings that fall down from the helicopter seem to look like rain drops as do the falling bullets that Neo stop in mid-air.

In the lobby during the rescue scene, the flying building debris as well as the hail of gunfire mimics falling rain. The same holds true for the pieces of wall that break away and fall down as Trinity pulls Neo down the wall of the hotel.

There is a glass of water in Neo's apartment and of course, there is the glass of water that Neo drinks in order to swallow the red pill. Once again, water is a reminder that Neo is dreaming--he is living in the matrix, or perhaps this is another reference to a baptism or cleansing.

When the helicopter hits the side of the building, the pieces of glass fall down like rain.

Neo's boss is named Mr. Rhineheart. “Rhine” is a river (water).

Trinity finds an exit on the corner of "Wells and Lake". A well contains water and a lake is made up of water. In fact, all the streets are named after rivers or bodies of water. Two other streets mentioned in the movies (Walbash and Balboa) have water connections too. In 1513, the Spanish explorer, Balboa, discovered the Pacific Ocean. The Walbash river flows through parts of Ohio and Indiana before joining the Ohio River.

Hearts

The heart represents the emotions and love as well as the spiritual center. It is also representative of life. When those in the matrix die, we see their hearts stop beating on the computer screens. When they lose blood, it means they are in danger of dying as well.

The hotel that Trinity is in at the beginning of the movie is called The Heart O' The City Hotel. This is the same hotel where Neo dies and comes back to life at the end of the movie.

The name of Neo's boss is Mr. Rhineheart, the heart of the water.

The kitchen is a symbol of the heart. It is a place representative of intent, desire, motive, ambition, and plans (it's where things are "cooked up.") It is the kitchen where the Oracle tells Neo what the future has in store for him and where she makes a comment concerning Trinity's feelings for Neo. We also see another kitchen when Neo is trying to get to the nearest phone exit, which happens to be in the Heart O' The City Hotel.

Light

Light is a symbol of the conscious and the real world. It is also symbolic of truth, wisdom and spiritual power and energy. We are told that Jesus is the light and are told to follow the light.

Note how gun on the Nebuchanezzar shoots out a stream of light that kills and that the sentinels in penetrate the Nebuchadnezzar with beams of light.

Most of the light we see in the matrix appear as beams or shadows of light that seem to pierce through the darkness. Examples of this include: flashlights, truck headlights, club lights, etc. This is symbolic of truth piercing through a world of lies, good trying to overcome evil, and hope shining through despair (a "ray" of hope.)

Flashes of light and lightning are also symbols of insight or inspiration. There is lightning flashes (or bolts of electricity) in the area where Neo's pod is located. Lightning is present during the storm that takes place while Neo is on his way to see Morpheus at the Lafayette Hotel, during his visit with him, and as the team is awakening Neo in his pod.

The window that Trinity spots on the rooftop is lit up.

We see a flash of light on Neo's face as he is being shot in the chest for the first time. The first image we see as we are being pulled through the matrix code, is the light coming from a policeman's flashlight.

Lightning appears when Trinity shoots the agent in the head and he turns into a now-very-dead helicopter pilot.

We see lightning in the scenes when Morpheus shows Neo what happened to the earth and how it was nearly destroyed.

Blue waves of lightning appear around the Nebuchadnezzar as Morpheus turns on the electromagnetic pulse switch to stop the sentinels from killing Neo and Trinity.

We see a sudden flash of light as Neo moves past a man operating a copy machine in his office building, just at a time when he is having a flash of insight about his future.

Sparks of light surround Neo and Trinity as she kisses him while he is "dead." (How romantic.)

Eyes

Eyes are a symbol of understanding. It is often said that eyes are the windows of the soul.

Open eyes are symbolic of consciousness, truth, perception, and knowledge. When Neo is freed from the matrix, his eyes are not just physically opened. Neo is then able, for the first time, to see the real world (perception) as well as come to understand what the matrix really is (knowledge).

In one of "The Matrix" trailers, a song titled "The Eyes Of Truth" by Engima plays in the background. A piece of this song also plays when the Matrix DVD is inserted.

In The Bible, Ephesians 1:18 states, "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened..."

Closed eyes are representative of sleep, unbelief, ignorance, and innocence. In Cypher's case, it is also symbolic of denial (a desire to not face the truth/reality.) Like he says, "ignorance is bliss" to him and that when he is reinserted into the matrix (goes back to sleep) he wants to remember "nothing."

Closed or covered eyes (wearing sunglasses over your eyes) in "The Matrix" also represents sleeping/being in the matrix. Note that when the Neb Crew plugs into the matrix their "real" eyes are closed and in the matrix they are wearing sunglasses.

Having Neo close and open his eyes at the agents (just after he caused one to explode) is very symbolic of seeing the truth (seeing the code) and awakening mentally, spiritually, and physically. It is an act of intimidation and power.

Note that those in the matrix who are good (Morpheus, Trinity, Neo, etc.) wear round, oval sunglasses while the evil ones (Cypher, the Agents) wear square, rectangular shaped sunglasses.

Mouse: "If you close your eyes, it almost feels like you're eating runny eggs." [Basically, Mouse is saying that in order to fool yourself or enter a state of denial, if you will, you have to close your eyes.]

Morpheus [to Neo]: "I can see it in your eyes. You have the look of a man who accept what he see because he is expecting to wake up."

Morpheus [to Neo]: "Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself."

Neo: "Why are my eyes sore?" Morpheus: "You've never used them before."

Morpheus [to Neo]: "[The Matrix] is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth."

Morpheus [to Neo]: "Were you listening to me, Neo, or were you looking at the woman in the red dress?" indicating that our hearing and understanding are even connected to our sight.

Morpheus [to Neo]: "There are fields, endless field, where human beings are no longer born, we are grown. For the longest time I wouldn't believe it, and then I saw the fields with my own eyes."

Cypher [to Neo]: "I don't even see the code. All I see is blonde, brunette, red-head." This might give us a clue as to what Cypher is missing about the Matrix.

Neo [to the agents]: "...I'm going to show these people what you don't want them to see. A world without you."

Cypher [to Trinity]: "Look into his eyes, those big, pretty eyes and tell me yes or no."

Spoon Boy [to Neo]: Then you will see [understand] that it is not the spoon that bends, it is only yourself."

In addition to the unconscious/conscious symbolism, wearing sunglasses in the matrix is also representative of knowledge, power, strength, and a desire for control. Have you ever heard of the saying, "knowledge is power?" Once you know the truth about something, only then do you have the ability to try and change it.

In the interrogation scene, Agent Smith takes off his glasses when he attempts to convince Neo to help them. Agent Smith also removes his glasses when he interrogates Morpheus and confides in him that he hates the matrix. In both cases he fails at his mission. When he feels the need to regain control, he replaces his glasses in both scenes.

As Neo's confidence improves and he fights Agent Smith in the subway, he breaks Smith's glasses.

Also, note that everyone wears sunglasses when they enter the Matrix. Cypher even removes his when he is working for the Agents.

Smoke

The use of smoke (or lights which appear hazy) is symbolic of blurry boundary between reality and illusion. Smoke reduces visibility and causes confusion or unawareness and reminds us the matrix is a clever "smoke screen" (illusion) created to deceive the enslaved humans. Note that the meaning of the term "Smoke and mirrors" refers to "something that distorts or blurs facts, figures, etc.; artful deception."

Examples of smoke or smoky conditions include:

• The Oracle smokes a cigarette while talking to Neo in her kitchen.
• Cypher smokes a cigar while eating at the restaurant with Agent Smith.
• The police release a smoke bomb in the basement of the LaFayette Hotel.
• Right before Neo's bullet-time sequence we see a cloud of smoke or fog behind Neo. It appears that something is on fire or burning on the roof.
• We see a cloud of smoke when the helicopter hits the side of the building and explodes.
• Smoke comes out of the gun ammo billboard.
• When the agent attempts to run down Trinity with the truck, we see smoke coming from the tires and the exhaust. We continue to see the smoke/fog rise up while the agents are talking in front of truck.
• Many of the lights used in the matrix scenes take on a foggy or hazy appearance. This is particularly true of the flashlights used by the police.

Doors and Openings

A door is an opening to a new phase in life or a possible new opportunity or development in life as well as the invitation to enter an unexplored area of yourself. In many cultures the doorway represents the passage between safety and danger or the transition from life to death. In many respects, a door/doorway in "The Matrix" is also symbolic of choice and the need for making a decision.

Examples:

• It is while standing in his doorway that Neo decides to go with Choi and Du Jour.
• Neo is also faced with a choice when he approaches the Oracle's door--wisely, he decides to enter.
• When Neo reaches the door to meet Morpheus, his life is about to change drastically, but only if he opens the door and goes in.
• When the elevator bomb explodes, the door of the elevator is blown off and appears to hurl at the movie screen in a wave of fire.
• Morpheus [to Neo]: "[The agents] are the gatekeepers. They are guarding all the doors. They are holding all the keys, which means that sooner or later, someone is going to have to fight them."
• Near the end of the movie when Neo opens the door to 303, there is an agent waiting right on the other side the door. Immediately, the agent shoots Neo in the chest.
• Morpheus [to Neo while in the sparring program]: "I'm trying to free you mind, Neo, but I can only show you the door. You have to walk through it." (He also makes the same comment at the Oracle's door as well.)
• While in the car at the Adams Street Bridge, Neo opens the car door and contemplates getting out. Wisely, he makes the decision to stay inside the car.

Mirror and Reflections

In dreams, mirrors (or the reflection that you see in them) refer to truth, wisdom, as well as self- understanding.

Reflections in "The Matrix "serve as reminders that the matrix world is only one reality out of many. The Wachowski brothers explain it this way: "Reflections in general are a significant theme in the movie. The ideas of worlds within worlds..." 1 Corinthians 12 reads: "For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality AND face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly); but then I shall know AND understand 'fully AND clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully AND clearly known and understood [by God]."

Neo sees himself in a mirror as he is about to wake up in the matrix. The image is cracked and distorted because the image that he sees isn't really him--it's the mental projection of his digital self in the matrix world. When he touches it, the mirror crawls up his arm and he can see himself in it.

Neo sees his face reflected in the machine that goes up to his pod to disconnect him.

We can see Neo being taken away from his office building by the agents in Trinity's motorcycle rear view mirror.

Many times we see other people and objects reflected in Morpheus's sunglasses. In fact, the Wachowski brothers have stated that the reflection of the pills in Morpheus's glasses "represents the two lives Neo is leading. In the left lens we see the blue pill and Thomas Anderson, and in the right lens we see the red pill and Neo."

We see Neo's warped reflection in the spoon that he bends.

Neo's face is reflected in the car window when he contemplates his coming visit to the Oracle, a visit that could show him another path for who he is.

Going Up

Rising may symbolize the fact that something is, or wants to rise, from your unconsciousness into your conscious mind. In the movie, this would translate into the fact that the Neb Crew--while in the matrix--are constantly trying to escape the agents/the unconsciousness of the matrix and wake *up* in the real world (consciousness).

Examples:

• Trinity runs up to the roof of the Heart O' The City Hotel trying to get to her exit (the phone booth) and to escape from the agents.
• Neo and Morpheus take an elevator to see the Oracle.
• Trinity and Neo use an elevator/elevator shaft get to the roof of the government building where Morpheus is being held.
• Morpheus tries to get Neo to use the scaffold to get to the roof of the MetaCortex building (to escape the agents).
• Neo uses the fire escape to climb up to the third floor of the Heart O' The City Hotel. Neo is trying to reach a phone there so he can escape from the agents/matrix.
• Trinity flies the helicopter up and away to get Morpheus and Neo to safety--and they all end up on the roof of another building.
• Neo flies up into the air at the end of the movie.
• In the Lafayette Hotel, the crew takes the stairs to the eighth floor trying to escape the agents.
• Later on, Trinity is seen coming up from a manhole.
• Trinity [to herself]: "Get up, Trinity. Just get up. Get up."
• Neo: "Morpheus, get up. Get up, get up..."
• Trinity [to Neo]: "You hear me? I love you... Now, get up."

Falling

Falling is symbolic of fear,uncertainty, doubt. When Neo is flushed out of the matrix pod, he travels down a narrow tunnel. At this point, Neo has no idea where he is exactly or what is about to happen.

Morpheus [to Neo as he is about to jump off of a building]: "You have to let it all go, Neo, fear, doubt, and disbelief. Free your mind."

Of course, Neo falls because he is still is doubtful and afraid, just as he was when he attempted to reach the scaffold outside of his office building.

Doubting that they could outfight the agents, the Neb group manages to avoid capture by crawling down the narrow vertical space between the walls. The one person in the group who decides not to fall down the wall (run away) though is Morpheus. Instead, he stands up to his own personal doubt and fears of death, breaking through the wall in order to fight an agent and protect Neo.

Morpheus [to Neo]: "I imagine you feel a bit like Alice, tumbling down the rabbit hole?"

Cypher: "Everybody falls the first time. Right, Trin?"

Trinity [to Neo]: "Neo, I'm not afraid anymore. The Oracle told me that I would fall in love…” In this case, it was falling in love--not off of a building-- that was symbolic of fear and uncertainty. Once Trinity faces her fears and has faith in herself and in Neo, she takes the plunge (confesses her love) and is rewarded.

Flying

Flying represents a sense of immortality. In the final scene of the movie, Neo (who has just died and come back to life in the matrix) is seen flying up into the sky. (BTW, the sky in dreams represents consciousness, the mind, endless possibilities, and spirituality.)

Humans flying unaided (or as in the case of "The Matrix," being able to jump farther than humanly possible or stopping bullets) is also symbolic of freedom and the defiance of popular beliefs or rules.

Neo flying up into the sky at the end of the movie was also paying homage to the comic book super hero, Superman. There were other subtle Superman connections as well: the heroes of "The Matrix" wore long coats that resembled capes, entered phones booths, and had the ability to "jump tall buildings in a single bound."

Choi [to Neo]: "Mmm, all the time, man. It's called Mescaline. It's the only way to fly."

Mr. Rhineheart [to Neo]: "You believe that you are special, that somehow the rules do not apply to you. Obviously you are mistaken."

Morpheus [to Neo]: "This is a sparring program, similar to the programmed reality of the matrix. It has the same basic rules, rules like gravity. What you must learn is that these rules are no different that the rules of a computer system. Some of them can bent, others can be broken."

Deja Vu

In addition to forshadowing or prophesy-filling scenes, there were several moments that were repeated or duplicated in some matter that made one think "Didn't I just see that before?"

Deja Vu refers to "the illusion of having previously experienced something actually encountered for the first time."

Examples:

• In the lobby, Neo and Trinity are standing side by side. Suddenly, they turn to look at each other (at the same time) and then they race off in opposite directions. Agent Brown and Agent Jones did this exact move right after Agent Brown exploded.
• There are two moments in the movie where it appears as if we are moving through the holes in a telephone mouth piece.
• Neo and Morpheus talk in the LaFayette hotel when sitting in two red chairs; these same chairs appear again when Morpheus and Neo are in the construct and they have another important conversation.
• Neo outside of his office building on the ledge; Neo in the matrix jump program. Both times Neo looks over the edge.
• Neo touches his mouth after leaving the jump program and 1st bullet hits and both times he looks down at the blood on his fingers, both times in disbelief.
• The most straight forward deja vu moment would of course have to be the black cat scene in which Neo sees the same black cat twice. As it turns out, Neo was actually seeing the same moment twice.
  
  

Computer Lingo

Here are a few of the terms and some references that haven't been discussed in depth yet.

Cookie is a piece of information that a website server puts on a user's hard disk so that the site can remember something about the user at a later time. In the movie, the Oracle offer Neo a cookie to eat. (Personally, I think it was so that the matrix system would "remember" Neo when he died and later came back.)

A virus has many definitions. A computer virus refers to a "malicious program made up of self- replicating code that infects a computer system or network and causes it to malfunction or shut down."

• The red pill contains a computer virus. It is "part of a trace program. It's designed to disrupt your input/output carrier signal so we can pinpoint our location."
• At the end of the movie, Neo has the power of a virus--he can manipulate the matrix code "as he sees fit."
• In addition, a "virus" also refers to "an ultramicroscopic metabolically inert, infectious AGENT that replicates only within the cells of living hosts..." Often times, a disease that is caused by a virus is called a virus as well.
• In one of his speeches to Morpheus, Agent Smith compares human being to viruses saying that we "move to an area and you multiply and multiply until every natural resource is consumed." He goes on further to say that "human beings are a disease, a cancer of this planet. You are a plague, and we are the cure." Ironically, it is the agents who fit the definition of "virus" since they are able to enter the body of a human in the matrix and completely take it over.

A hacker is a slang term for a person who is extremely knowledgeable about computers. Some would say that a hacker also refers to a person who uses his/her computer knowledge and skills to carry out illegal activities, like breaking into another person's computer system in order to steal information or to disrupt the system.

• Agent Smith [to Neo]: "[Your] other life is lived in computers, where you go by the hacker alias Neo and are guilty of virtually every computer crime we have a law for."
• Trinity is a hacker. She cracked the IRS d-base and built the system that brought Neo out of the pod.
• Neo sells a bootleg disk to Choi for $2,000.
• Neo: "What are they doing to him?" Tank: "Breaking into his mind. It's like hacking into a computer, all it takes is time."

Colors

Green
In color psychology, green is associated with sickness, decay, disease, and impending death. This is where the saying, "You're looking a little green" is from. Note that green is the color of mold and Mr. Yuk.The use of green in this movie is symbolic of the matrix code. It is also used to represent jealousy (cypher is envious of Trinity’s feeling for Neo,) and naivety.

All the scenes inside the matrix (particularly those before Neo is taken out of the pod) were filmed with green tint to them. In fact, in the words of the Wachowski brothers, this use of green tint "...was a whole motif inspired by the phosphorous green of old PCs." Note that many of the objects inside of the matrix are green as well.

In the Christian liturgy, green is the color of the Trinity.

Blue
Blue is considered to be a peaceful, spiritual color because the sky and the oceans are blue. Due to this quality, blue is thought to be a mentally and physically therapeutic color. It heals, soothes, and relaxes. It is also symbolic of hope, inspiration and truth.

Use of blue is symbolic of the real world. In fact, all the scenes in the real world have a overwhelming bluish cast to them. Many of the objects inside of the matrix are blue also.

When we first see Neo in the real world, he is in poor shape physically and mentally. (In fact, he even asks Morpheus if he is dead!) Morpheus calmly tells Neo to rest and the Neb crew begin to work on his muscles, which have atrophied from being in the matrix pod. These "healing" scenes are filled with blue objects and they have a general blue aspect to them.

When Neo sees Trinity and Morpheus for the first time in the real world, they are surrounded by a misty bluish light. Morpheus tells Trinity that they have "found him." When Trinity questions this by saying, "I hope you are right," he counters with "I don't have to hope."

Blue is considered "cool" color. In the real world, it is very cold because the humans have "scorched the sky." In fact, the coldness of the real world is one of reasons why Cypher wants to go back to living in the matrix.

Orange
Orange (the color of the sun and fire) emits a warm, positive feeling and suggests enduring energy, strength, and vitality. In the Oracle's kitchen we see a lot of orange. The Oracle's presence and demeanor reflects these "orange" qualities. She seems to be a warm, positive person who doesn't let too much bother her. She makes you feel really at ease with her.

Orange also represents drive, ambition, and enthusiasm. We see a lot of orange in the Dojo scene as well. Here, Morpheus really moves into the role of a determined and confident teacher while Neo reveals himself to be a student eager to rise to the challenge.

Red
Red is the color of aggression, anger, danger, sin, and war. It is associated with the devil and evil. Cypher wears a dark red shirt in the real world. It also has a large hole in it where is his heart is located.

Red is also associated with sexuality, love, passion, and lust. It is also associate with someone or something that is a distraction (a red herring.) Cypher (while wearing that red shirt) confesses his love to Trinity. He suggests that this feeling has been around for a long time and that he is frustrated by the fact that he can't have her because he knows she is in love with Neo. In fact, it is this unrequited love that is one of the reasons why he decides to become a traitor. By being placed back into the matrix pod and having his memory erased, he'll be able to forget the woman he can't have and the fact that he betrayed her, too.

The woman in red catches Neo's eye in the agent training program;

There is also a woman wearing a red coat when Neo is taken out of this office building by the agents. She appears to be the only person in that scene who isn't wearing white or black so she stands out.

The color of blood, red also represents life, death, and war (the shedding of blood.) Cypher's steak is a blood red. It is during this meal that he makes a decision that will result in the deaths of several people, including his own.

The pill that Neo takes (which results in his "second birth") is red.

The chairs that the Neo and Morpheus sit in during their two talks are red. Both conversations were about the matrix and the war between the humans and machines.

Black
Black is a color of mystery, secrets, and intrigue. It is associated with darkness, death, remembrance and mourning. It may also indicate a need for emotional support. Interestingly, the term"black out" refers to to a temporary loss of consciousness or memory. When we see Trinity for the first time (who is dressed in all black and in a dark room) we have no idea if she is a good or bad person. Furthermore, we don't know what her intentions are.

In many ways, the freed humans in "The Matrix" are in a state of mourning. They realize what the earth used to be like and they want control of it back.

While in the matrix, those plugged in are unconscious or sleeping. After Neo is faced with the knowledge of what the matrix is, he blacks outs.

Black clothing is powerful, intimidating, dramatic, and has a sense of elegance to it. It indicates inner strength, independence, a strong will, and determination. Note that most of the 'heroes,' while in the matrix, wear black.

The color black represents fear, anxiety, and hostility, too. When the freed humans reenter the matrix, they are always in a state of fear and they are anxious about getting back to the real world as soon as possible. Perhaps this is a reason that they are wearing black.

Black can also be seen in the use of nighttime or darkness, which is symbolic of ignorance, a secretive or hidden dimension, the unknown, the power of evil, and stealth (as in "they crept in under the cover of darkness").

Silver
Silver is symbolic of the unconscious and often is used with gold (symbol of conscious) to remind of us of these opposing concepts. The bullets that Neo stops in mid-air are silver, as is Dujours's necklace.

As the mirror travels up Neo's arm it changes at times from a silver (sign of unconsciousness) to a gold (symbol of consciousness) color as it picks up the light in the room. This is very symbolic as Neo is moving from an unconscious state to a conscious one.

When Neo is shooting into the room where Morpheus is being held, we see gold and silver (bullets and casings) falling to the ground; a representation of the blurring of their conscious and unconcious minds during the battle.

The Oracle's waiting room has gold and silver (the spoons are silver and the cups on her stand are all gold.)

Due to its reflective qualities, silver acts as a mirror and therefore takes on the same symbolic qualities as mirrors in this movie-- the idea of the different levels of reality ("Worlds within worlds") being shown at once.

In addition, silver represents eloquence or persuasiveness as well. (A person who has a "silver tongue" possesses these qualities.) It is also regarded as a symbol of persistence and optimism (look for the "silver" lining). Note that in the scenes where a character makes (or attempts to make) a convincing speech, there is at least one silver object in the room.

Agent Smith's "Human" Speech: The chair that Agent Smith pulls over to Morpheus is all silver. Other silver objects in that room include Morpheus's handcuffs and the needle.

Morpheus's "Splinter In The Mind" Speech: The pill container (a container for dreams or awakening) that Morpheus turns around and around is silver.

Agent Smith's "Unable To Speak" Speech: The table, the chairs, and the bug and case are silver.

Switch's "Copper Top" Speech: Her gun is silver as well as her nail polish; not a traditional color here.

The Oracle's "Know Thyself" Speech: Many of the items in the kitchen are silver.

Neo's "I Can Feel You Now" Speech: The phone booth is silver as well as the front of the phone, an unusual color for it.

Yellow /Gold
Yellow is considered to be the color of the mind. It is also representative of clarity, caution ("stop light" yellow), fear and cowardiness. In fact, a person who is cowardly is often referred to as "yellow- bellied" or a "yellow dog."

We see the inside lining of Neo's jacket when he is in office cubicle trying to get away from the Agents and then again when he is outside on the window ledge trying to reach the scaffold.

We see the yellow underside of Agent's Smith's jacket when he is fighting bullet-stopping Neo, when Neo kicks Agent Smith and he goes flying down the hallway, and when Neo enters Agent Smith's body.

A shade of yellow, gold is the color of the conscious. It stands for wisdom, healing, and illumination. When Neo bursts through the body of Agent Smith, it is in a flood of brilliant white-gold light. We also see gold in the Oracle's waiting room.

White
White is the color of hope, faith, confidence, and enlightenment. In China, wearing white is a symbol of mourning.

In the matrix, Switch is the only Neb crew member to wear white. Could that be, in part, because of her name--she "switches" from black to white?

White is also associated with purity, innocence, goodness, and perfection. (In the western world, brides wear white to reflect these qualities.) When Morpheus first plugs Neo into a computer simulation, the screen is totally white and void of anything. It represents the fact that the loading program has endless possibilities and uses.

Black and White together
Black and white together represents a lack of color, and therefore, is symbolic of conformity. Note that in the matrix or the matrix computer simulations, almost everyone is wearing black or white or a combination of both.

Putting white and black together represents a unity or conflict between two opposite things. When someone says that they want something in "black and white," is means that they want absolute terms with no gray or uncertain areas. In this movie, there some things that are either one way or another. For instance, something is either real or isn't real. The problem is how you come to that conclusion.

Many of the matrix shots are predominately filmed in shades of black and white or have black and white objects in them. (Keep in mind that the blacks and whites often times have that greenish cast to them.)

Here are just some examples:

• Dojo Scene: Morpheus is wearing a black outfit with white trim; Neo is wearing a dingy white outfit with black trim
• Lafayette Hotel: The floor looks like a black and white checkboard. It is here that the two sides (humans verus machines) duke it out.
• Lobby Scene: When Neo first enters the lobby, the room is all white and black. In fact, Neo is wearing all black and the guards are wearing white shirts.
• The Group In The Matrix Scene: The room is mostly black with a touch of white (Switch's outfit.)
• Morpheus's Jump: The building and sky appear mostly white while Morpheus is dressed in black.
• The Agent Training Program: The people in the crowd are wearing all black and white--except for the woman in the red dress. As the Wachowski brothers also point out, "...all the clothes [in that crowd scene] are based on black and white costumes, like nuns, chefs, brides, sailors."
• Dujour is wearing all black but her rabbit tattoo is white.
• The Trinity Roof Top Scene: Mostly black and white. The characters are dressed in all black and the roof and lights below appear white/dirty white. There is a void of any other colors.
• The Agents and The Truck: Mostly black and white scene.

The use of black and white also reminds the viewer of the many opposing forces/themes at work in "The Matrix." Examples:

• real life vs the matrix
• reality vs illusion
• truth vs lie
• life vs death
• conscious vs unconscious
• good vs evil
• wisdom vs ignorance
• humans vs machines
• freedom vs slavery
• free will vs determinism
• peace vs war
• awake vs asleep
• belief vs disbelief

A few interesting facts that are not really important (necessarily) to the story.