The D Clan
According to Imu, who seems to know the true meaning of the initial D:
“The ‘D’… is the name of those who once opposed us.”
In other words, the bearers of the D name are those who stood against the Celestial Dragons. This makes the name D a mark of kinship — like a crew tattoo or a secret symbol shared among allies.
So does this mean all D-bearers are destined to fight together against the World Government? If so, that would be an incredible turning point in the story.
The confirmed D families in the canon as of now are: Monkey, Gol, Portgas, Trafalgar, Jaguar, Rocks, Nefertari, Marshall, Smoker (rumored), and Buggy (rumored). Interestingly, this is the same number as the members of the Straw Hat crew.
However, some family lines are already extinct, others like Law use it as a hidden name, and some like Rocks may have used it as an alias — so counting family names may not be the most meaningful approach.
The Demon Clan — The Monkey Family
Among the D families, the Monkey family — which includes the protagonist Monkey D. Luffy — stands out as extraordinary: all three generations have openly defied the Celestial Dragons and survived. A family that challenges those who call themselves gods.
And there’s a striking reason for this: all three of their names are derived from famous demons.
Garp — Solomon’s Demon
Known as the Hero of the Marines, Garp’s name is derived from “Gaap” — one of the 72 demons said to have been sealed by King Solomon in the Lesser Key of Solomon (Ars Goetia).
While serving in the Marines — an institution that symbolizes order — Garp carries the name of a demon from the depths of hell.
The fact that Garp never became an Admiral (a direct subordinate of the Celestial Dragons) and consistently pursued his own brand of justice may reflect the nature of the demon Gaap — a being that grants freedom of thought to those who seek it.
The nature of the demon Gaap: As a Grand President of Hell, the demon Gaap can instantly “steal a person’s consciousness and plunge them into a state of ignorance” — while also “bestowing knowledge of philosophy and liberal arts” upon those who desire it. These two opposing powers are exactly what we see in Garp’s interactions.
Stealing consciousness: When reuniting with Luffy, Garp falls asleep mid-lecture, effectively “stealing” his consciousness.
Bestowing knowledge: Garp’s role as a teacher and mentor to the next generation of Marines.
Looking at these two scenes side by side — stealing Luffy’s consciousness while guiding Coby with knowledge — Garp treats two future rivals in opposite ways, just like the demon Gaap. Could this be intentional? The depth is astonishing.
Here is Solomon’s Demon sigil — the mark used by Solomon to summon demons. Doesn’t it bear a resemblance to the Jolly Roger symbol?
Dragon — The Biblical Demon
The Supreme Commander of the Revolutionary Army, the man called the world’s most dangerous criminal: Dragon.
His name is derived from the great demonic beast called the Dragon in the Christian Book of Revelation (Apocalypse of John).
The biblical definition of the Dragon: In Revelation Chapter 12, the dragon is explicitly identified as “the ancient serpent, the Devil, and Satan” — a being who rebelled against heaven, fought the armies of God, and was cast down to earth.
Dragon’s position — a man who bares his fangs at the Celestial Dragons (“gods”) — is precisely that of a demon who revolted against heaven.
The Expulsion from Heaven: Dragon once served in the Marines under Garp’s guidance. But upon learning of the Celestial Dragons’ human hunts — and the Navy’s inability to stop them — Dragon broke away in fury and built an army to oppose the “gods.” This arc mirrors the fallen angel’s journey almost exactly.
Luffy — The Fallen Angel Lucifer
The Bearer of Light — “The King of Fallen Angels”
The name “Luffy” resonates with “Lucifer” — the highest-ranking fallen angel, once the most beloved by God before being cast out of heaven.
“The Light-Bringer” and Nika
The name Lucifer comes from Latin meaning “the one who brings light” (the morning star). This aligns perfectly with the nature of the Sun God Nika — the one who illuminates the world as darkness gives way to dawn.
In mythology, Lucifer fell because of his overwhelming “pride” — but from another perspective, it was the result of seeking ultimate “freedom,” refusing to submit to anyone’s dominion.
Luffy’s belief that “the freest person on the sea is the Pirate King” — his rejection of the order controlled by the Celestial Dragons, the “false gods” — is Lucifer incarnate, following his own will above all else.
The hidden meaning in the alias “Lucy”
The alias Luffy used in Dressrosa — “Lucy” — is not merely a disguise. Lucy is one of the well-known nicknames for Lucifer.
“The Reversed Crescent Moon” and the Morning Star
Even more intriguing is the mark of the “reversed crescent moon” tattooed on the ankles of those in Wano who believed in the return of the Kozuki clan. This symbol is also known as the “morning crescent moon” — appearing in the eastern sky just before dawn, alongside the planet Venus (the morning star = Lucifer), signaling that the dark night is ending and light is about to break through.
It was not by chance that Luffy — bearing the name of Lucifer — arrived in Wano to bring the “dawn.” The morning star and the morning crescent moon: the will of the one bearing a “demon’s” name who defied God, and the will of those who endured waiting for the light, are united in this symbolic convergence.
The ‘Demon’ Lineage of the Monkey Family
Looking at it this way, the three generations of the Monkey family each symbolize a different type of “demon”:
Garp (Gaap): The demon who steals consciousness — yet grants wisdom and freedom to those who seek it. A maverick within the system who never became an Admiral.
Dragon (Dragon): The demon of Revelation who rebelled against heaven — organizing the Revolutionary Army to oppose the “divine” rule of the Celestial Dragons.
Luffy (Lucifer): The fallen angel who brings light — seeking ultimate freedom as the Pirate King, fighting for a world without the false gods’ dominion.
Why are the D clan — and the Monkey family in particular — so feared by the World Government, branded as “demons” generation after generation?
Perhaps the answer lies within the very names they carry: a “history of rebellion” powerful enough to make even the gods tremble.