My Lion King Forum

Is Rafiki real or is the monkey of legend a metaphor? The whole film seems to alude to the idea that Rafiki might just be a metaphor for Simba's trials and tribulations while trying to find himself, and the trip through the woods chasing him seems to identify with the idea that Rafiki might be a part of Simba's mind that helps him to discover who he is inside.

It's widely theorized that the scene where Mufasa's ghost appears in the sky was a hallucination since he only tells Simba things he already knows. I always thought that it was suspicious how Rafiki conveniently appears just when Simba is doubting himself and guides him on the right path. Also notice that Rafiki never bothers to mention the truth about Scar to Simba? It's entirely possible that that scene was a dream and Rafiki never existed at all.

He literally hugs mufasa in the intro and Mufasa hugs back, with a smile. Rafiki talks with Nala, Timon and Pumbaa. He goes 'Bruce Lee' on a bunch of Hyenas. He causes them real pain.

He's as real as real gets.

Well, that's an awful theory. Several characters besides Simba have interacted with him and seen him. Adding onto Elton's statement, even Timon, Pumbaa, and Nala noticed his presence, and the latter even responded to his statement that Simba had returned.

Like Panda-chan stated, the theory is that Mufasa's ghost was a hallucination. However, the theory has been denied by the filmmakers on the audio commentary when they refer to it repeatedly as "Mufasa's ghost".

Rafiki isn't real he's their imaginary friend and all the lions are high on catnip.

Can't cut it out, it grows right back!

As Elton John pointed out, Rafiki fought Hyenas during The Battle For Pride Pock. The Hyenas were attacking him and Rafiki defeated them. Someone that does not exist could not do that.

He held Simba up in front of literally everyone in the Pride Lands in the first minute of the film.

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