History Main / PropheciesAreAlwaysRight

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[[folder: Real Life ]]

* In ''[[Macbeth}}'', it is prophecied that no one born by a woman could harm Macbeth, which he took to mean that he was invincible; and he is killed by [=McDuff=], who it turns out was born not by woman, but by C-section.

->"That's the funny thing... I made it up and it all came true anyway."
-->--[[HistoricalDomainCharacter Robert]] [[PhonyPsychic James]] [[OrIsIt Lees]], ''FromHell''.

PhilipKDick wrote a short fantasy story subverting this trope once, but [[ExecutiveMeddling no one would publish it until he changed the ending to fulfill the prophecy.]] Dick wrote, bitterly, "I guess the term False Prophet is an oxymoron, then."

[[AC:{{Anime}} and {{Manga}}]]
* Parodied in one ''ProjectAKo'' OAV. A prophecy is discovered at the beginning, and seems to be progressing towards fulfillment as the story goes on. At the end, the professor who discovered the prophecy gravely pronounces it to be... a complete coincidence.
* The legend of the Tragic Meister in ''{{Mai-Otome}}'' had almost nothing to do with the actual events that led to Mai Tokiha's disappearance; the real story was considerably less tragic, to say the least. However, the same series includes a straight example of this trope (although if the characters knew the circumstances under which the legend of the Guiding Star was fulfilled, it would definitely have quite a few eyebrows raised).
* [[spoiler: The Rail Tracer]] in ''{{Baccano}}!''. In reality, it's what happens when let someone as AxeCrazy as [[spoiler: Claire Stanfield]] hear about it and then give him a reason to act it out.
** On rewatching the series, certain comments reveal that the reason the story about [[spoiler: the Rail Tracer]] is so accurate is because [[spoiler:Claire was probably the one who made up the story in the first place]].
* Carim's annual prophecies in ''MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha'' are always correct. Now, if only they were written in a less flowery form and in a language that isn't dead [[CrypticConversation so people could interpret what its saying a lot easier]].
* Played straight in ScrappedPrincess where all of the prophecies of the Oracle of Grendel are true, until a minor character does some research and finds out that 3 of the 5110 prophecies so far have been wrong. Then subverted when we find out that the 5111th prophecy that drives the plot of the show was partially made up to push a specific political agenda.
** No, the prophecies were made by the evil angels who imprison humanity. They were wrong three times. Of course, they have the power to control humans, so they could have ''made'' all the others correct.

[[AC:Film]]
* TheMatrix is a subversion. The oracle lies to Neo to get him to do what he needs to do. Other than that, every prophecy turns out to be true, including one that was a dream Neo had, and [[spoiler:the one that says he'll save the humans from the machines, despite that one being a lie that turned out false every time until then.]]
* [[DoubleSubversion Double subverted]] with the "ChosenOne" prophecy in ''StarWars''.
** WordOfGod has it that it isn't a subversion because Vader brought balance to the force by killing Palpatine, the last Sith, and leaving only the Light Side with Luke as the last Jedi. Many fans, however, see it as Balance brought by the destruction of both the Light and Dark Side; since most people see TheForce as TrueNeutral in nature (nature is, after all, TN, and The Force is nature itself), both the [[LawfulGood altruistic Jedi]] and [[ChaoticEvil selfish Sith]] are seen as perversions of an ancient philosophy which sought to coexist with the Force, rather than subjugate and use it to their own means. Vader destroyed Palpatine, and then died himself, having walked the Dark Side and returned to the Light, leaving only Luke, a [[DarkIsNotEvil Dark Jedi]] - the one who walks the path between the Light and Dark Sides, falls into neither, and is master of both.
*** Where did you hear this?

[[AC:{{Literature}}]]

* The prophecy in the ''ChroniclesOfThomasCovenant'' is an interesting case- right from the start, it's clear in the prophecy that it could [[EitherOrProphecy go in two different directions]]- he could "save or destroy" the Land, and he definitely will do one or the other.
* Subverted hard in the Gregor the Overlander series. The series revolved around the prophecies of Sandwich (no, really), who wrote numbers of them in his tenure in the Underland some time before. At first, these prophecies seem to be always turning true (the first two books for example), but the third and fourth books become increasingly stretched to fit the prophecy. It all comes to a head when it is revealed that in the last prophecy, [[spoiler: Gregor is supposed to die]]. After going into the final battle, Gregor [[spoiler: does not die]], and not all of the prophecy comes true, as is noted by several characters throughout the book such as [[spoiler: Ares, Gregor, Ripred, and Luxa]]. However, they still manage to con the people and creatures of the Underland that the prophecy is true [[spoiler:with a little help from Luxa's "prophetic" sister, who believes the prophecies are true in order to bring peace amongst the humans and rats.]]
* In ''TheBelgariad'' and ''TheMalloreon'', DavidEddings [[PlayingWithATrope plays with]] many of the standard conventions of prophecy. In particular, there is not one, but two prophecies that control the outcome of the universe. The two are diametrically opposed, born of a tremendous accident that occurred long ago. The writings of their prophets are carefully hidden such that only the people they are intended for can make use of them, and they actively intervene from time to time to make sure events stay on track. Moreover, the primary people whose destiny it is to fulfill the prophecies are aware of what they are doing and are actively collaborating with them. This is said to be necessary because of the way the prophecies were divided in the first place; great care must be taken to avoid another accident which, if it were to happen, could potentially unmake the universe.
** Alternatively, it could lead to new potentials and prophecies, meaning that the original two would less less likely than they currently were (50%) of winning.
** Although it's worth pointing out that although a real and immutably accurate prophecy does exist, Belgarath in his seven thousand years has had plenty of time to encounter many self-deluded "prophets" who are simply mad, and knows how to tell the difference.

* Played perfectly straight in PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians. You cannot fight fate, in aprt because prophecies always take into account the future--meaning that if you trigger them by trying to avert them, it's because you learned of them, and guess what? [[YouCantFightFate That was taken into account.]] On the other hand, the prophecies are worded in a fashion that leaves them open to multiple interpretations, with few parts being obvious and unambiguous. Of course, this is based on Greek mythology, so this is only natural.
* ''{{Dune}}'', by FrankHerbert, makes some interesting uses of prophets and prophecies. The Bene Gesserit, the supreme {{Chessmaster}}s of the galaxy, set up religions to suit their needs and seed them with messianic prophecies that they can later manipulate to their advantage. At the same time, they are seeking to breed a human with oracular powers. Unfortunately, an error causes the breeding program to produce this "Kwisatz Haderach" one generation too soon. Paul Atreides takes their prophecies and runs with them, setting himself up as TheMessiah and Emperor of the galaxy, and his son, Leto II, is even stronger, locking humanity into a singular course for close to ten thousand years. What makes this an interesting example, however, is the question the books ask: does the oracle ''predict'' the future, or ''create'' it?
* Both of Trelawney's prophecies in the ''HarryPotter'' series come true, although Divination is otherwise treated as a very imprecise art. Also, Dumbledore is quick to point out in the sixth book that not all of the prophecies studied by the Department of Mysteries have or will come true, saying by way of example that had the prophecy regarding Harry and Voldemort not been overheard and relayed to Voldemort, [[SelfFulfillingProphecy it would have never meant anything.]]

* In Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett's ''GoodOmens'', prophet Agnes Nutter was completely accurate about everything she predicted. Her priorities as to what she prophesied, though, were somewhat odd. For example, for the day Kennedy was assassinated she wrote a warning about a falling brick in her hometown. She even set up a scheme to deliver a second volume of her prophecies to the main character after all of her early prophecies had been fulfilled.
** Given the laughter of her ghost when the new book was destroyed (which she undoubtedly saw coming), plus the way it appeared out of nowhere when how she got the first printed was a subplot, this was probably just an elaborate prank on her part.

* Prophecies are always true in the ''SwordOfTruth'' series, and several of the books start out by having the characters learning of one that holds dire consequences for them, or suggests they'll act entirely contrary to their goals and character. The trick is, while they're always true, they're ''also'' always vague, and almost never to be taken literally. Even the ones that ''are'' literal are so only on the surface level, and the reasons ''why'' the characters end up doing the crazy things eventually make sense.

* In Yoda: DarkRendezvous the young Padawan Whie Malreaux regularly dreams about what he'll be doing in the future. Details seem to be obscured - he once knows that someone will beat him but not who or how, even though when it was actually happening her name was stated - but the gist always happens. He knows that a Jedi will kill him and it will surprise him; he thinks this means he'll turn to the Dark Side and be hunted down, but really Anakin Skywalker does it while on his murderous rampage. Despite the future always being in motion, some things are apparently set.
* In ''Lord of the Rings,'' Gandalf forsees that Gollum's fate is bound up with that of the Ring, and the Ring cannot be destroyed unless Gollum is kept alive. Naturally, this comes true, as Frodo is unable to destroy the Ring in the end, and Gollum is one who destroys it.

** Arwen also prophecied that Aragorn would be among those who would destroy Sauron.
** These could be somehow justified as Tolkien pretty much stated that fate of world was pre-created during Great Music (aka creation). It does not apply 100% (though it seem to be the case for whole time up to end of Third Age, maybe because stories tend to be too "large" to affect by one or few person who dont act as expected), but does work for most, if not all of above mentioned.
* In Shakespeare's ''Macbeth," it is prophecied that no one born by a woman could harm Macbeth, which he took to mean that he was invincible; and he is killed by McDuff, who it turns out was born not by woman, but by C-section.
* In ''Moby Dick'', a New Bedford street-prophet prophecies several things that will happen heralding the death of everyone on the Pequod-- save one: call him "Ishmael."

[[AC:LiveActionTV]]

[[AC:TableTopRPG]]
* WerewolfTheApocalypse has a subversion in one of the playable archetypes: The tribe of the character is known for its oracles and she utters quite a few prophecies. However, she never learnt the rite for receiving them and just makes them up as she goes to lend her own plans more weight than they'd be afforded otherwise since she is a Metis (shameful and near-outcast offspring of two werewolves mating with each other).

[[AC:VideoGames]]
* This trope is subverted rather beautifully in ''{{Arcanum}}''. The game starts with your protagonist being declared the reincarnation of one Nasrudin, and a lot of the game is played under the pretext of fulfilling his prophecy. As it turns out, [[spoiler:Nasrudin is still alive, and the entire religion founded around him has little basis in fact]].

* Subverted in ''Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines.'' [[spoiler:The sarcophagus supposedly containing a god-like ancient vampire out to destroy the world actually just contained a stuffy old mummy. Before Jack filled it with explosives.]]
* ''Super PaperMario'' includes two ''mutually contradictory'' prophecies. The heroes attempt to fulfill the one they like. The villain attempts to fulfill the one he likes. [[spoiler: The ManBehindTheMan tries to get the heroes to fulfill the good one in a XanatosGambit, and then fulfill the bad one anyway.]] Only the good one comes true, through.
* Subverted in ''Might & Magic 9'', via the False Prophet version. The overall plot of the game involves your party receiving a Writ of Fate from the Oracle prophecizing that your destiny is to stop the warlord Temur Lang from conquering the world. However, when you finally run into Temur Lang, you learn that he's trying to conquer the world because ''he'' received a Writ of Fate from the Oracle prophecizing that it's his destiny to do so. After comparing notes, you join up to go against the Oracle, who's the real BigBad, basically making up false prophecies for shit and giggles.
* This is a major plot point in TalesOfTheAbyss. The heroes and the BigBad are both trying to eliminate the Score, a SelfFullfillingProphecy ([[OrSoItSeems maybe]]) that apparently eliminates free will.

[[AC:{{Webcomics}}]]
* The kobold oracle of ''OrderOfTheStick'' has so far been 100% accurate, even to the point of setting up arrangements in advance for allied clerics to teleport in and raise him from the dead minutes after his murder.
** The oracle has no fourth wall either and erases the minds of everyone after leaving his valley except the specific prophecy they ask for. He'll make snarky comments on the events to come as well as talk directly to the audience. When he's really snarky he'll give the most cryptic answer he can to screw with the audience. 'The Right 4 words for the wrong reasons' caused years of crazy fan work about every 4 words until a strip was called The Wrong Reasons.
* This Trope is subverted in ''DominicDeegan, Oracle for Hire''. Most of Dominic's prophesies are only possibilities, and he has been known to become a {{Chessmaster}} and manipulate everyone so that the most desirable possibility comes true. The one time he ''does'' get a vision that is unavoidable, the [[TonightSomeoneDies Fated Fatal]], it only tells him ''that'' someone will die, with no clue as to who, when, or how.

[[AC:WesternAnimation]]
* "ThundarrTheBarbarian" play this trope in the last eposide, "Prophecy Of Peril", which reveal three women would defeat a evil wizard--one of them from the old pre-Cataclysm world who will "[[TimeTravel be found by her foe]]." --and the wizard [[SchmuckBait falls for the bait]] [[VillainBall much like any other 1980s cartoon villain]].
* Might not count, given the setting, but used (and slightly subverted) in an episode of ''JusticeLeague'' where the Legion of Superheroes transport three Leaguers into the future, knowing that "incomplete records" (that sounds like prophecies, right?) indicate that one of the three won't make it back alive. The subversion comes in when all three heroes DO survive the mission, but one of them chooses to stay in the future of her own volition.
* Possible subversion from ''WinxClub'', season 4: [[spoiler:When giving the Winx the Black Gift, the ethereal fairies specifically say "More than one human being could be beyond life's threshold, but you may rescue one person. This is the prophecy, Winx." The next scene seems to suggest that there would be a dilemma between using it on Duman or someone else (many were expecting Bloom, from the trailer that followed the episode). As it turns out, Duman has long been destroyed before the Black Gift comes into play, leaving only Nabu in danger. And then when Layla decides to summon the Black Gift to use on Nabu, Ogron takes it away and uses it on a flower, meaning that it is neither used by the Winx, nor on a person.]]
* In an inversion of the PhilipKDick example in the page quote, ExecutiveMeddling actually ''prevented'' the fulfillment of at least one aspect of a prophecy in the finale of ''AmericanDragonJakeLong''. See ExecutiveMeddling for details.
* Double Subverted in KimPossible, when foreign exchange student/heir to his country's throne, Prince Wally, is almost killed in an assassination attempt to fulfill an ancient prophecy that the country's monarchy will end with Prince Wally. The characters pat themselves on the back for a good job averting the prophecy, when Wally, impressed with Democracy, claims he will AbdicateTheThrone. Thus fulfilling the prophecy.

[[AC:Real Life]]

* A lot of people claim that Nostradamus' [[{{CrypticConversation}} incredibly vague]] prophecies foretold events such as WorldWarII and 9/11 (Even though they could have applied to several other events). [[{{YourMilageMayVary}} Your Milage May]] [[{{Understatement}} Vary.]]
* A radio station in florida has it's morning show do an "egg test" to see who will win the super bowl. This troper can't remember if the one that explodes will win or not, but so far it has not been wrong.
** If you're in the Tampa Bay area, it's 93.3 FLZ

<<|FateAndProphecyTropes|>>

* In William King's ''{{Warhammer 40000}}'' SpaceWolf novel ''Wolfblade'', Ranek invokes this to defend Ragnar, who threw their prized relic [[BladeOnAStick The Spear of Rus]] into a Chaos warp gate, despite the prophecy that their primarch would take it up when he [[KingInTheMountain returned]]. The Spear would doubtlessly return in good time to fulfill the prophecy, if it is a true propehcy. One of those who wish to punish Ragnar sneers at Ranek's faith -- [[BerserkButton a sad misstep on his part]].

* In ''MyLittlePony: Friendship Is Magic'', Twilight Sparkle reads about The Mare in the Moon, and how the legends state that "on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape and she will bring about [[TheNightThatNeverEnds nighttime eternal]]." Since that's only two days away, she warns the princess, who tells her to get her nose out of the books and make some friends. However, as the next day dawns, or rather, fails to, guess who shows up gloating about a never-ending night?

* ''Self-fulfilling'' prophecies are rampant in real life-- i.e. when someone makes a prediction that comes true as a result of their interference to ''stop'' it-- resulting in a cataclysm to fix it; the person is then typically heralded as a "visionary" who saved the world. Examples: the Federal Reserve System was created in order to prevent economic collapse. It caused the Great Depression, resulting in a wash of banking-reforms and insurance which prevent such collapse. Likewise, the United States entered WWI in order to "make the world safe for democracy;" it instead resulted in massive global socialism, resulting in a Cold War that eventually resulted in many affected nations ending up democratic.
** YourMileageMayVary on how accurate this version of 20th century history is. [[RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment Let's leave it at that.]]

* Both of Trelawney's prophecies in the ''HarryPotter'' series come true, although Divination is otherwise treated as a very imprecise art. Also, Dumbledore is quick to point out in the sixth book that not all of the prophecies studied by the Department of Mysteries have or will come true, saying by way of example that had the prophecy regarding Harry and Voldemort not been overheard and relayed to Voldemort, it would have never meant anything.

* TheMatrix is a subversion. The oracle lies to Neo to get him to do what he needs to do. Other than that, every prophesy turns out to be true, including one that was a dream Neo had, and [[spoiler:the one that says he'll save the humans from the machines, despite that one being a lie that turned out false every time until then.]]

** The oracle has no fourth wall either and erases the minds of everyone after leaving his valley except the specific prophesy they ask for. He'll make snarky comments on the events to come as well as talk directly to the audience. When he's really snarky he'll give the most cryptic answer he can to screw with the audience. 'The Right 4 words for the wrong reasons' caused years of crazy fan work about every 4 words until a strip was called The Wrong Reasons.

* In ''[[http://www.webcomicsnation.com/thorsby/destiny/ Hitmen For Destiny]]'' there is an organisation called Destiny and it's job is to ensure that various prophecies are fulfilled [[spoiler:due to the fact that it's a moneymaking venture and destiny, their moneymaker, is fallible]]. The point of this is discussed in spoilerific detail [[http://www.webcomicsnation.com/thorsby/destiny/series.php?view=archive&chapter=40932 here]].

* "ThundarrTheBarbarian" play this trope in the last eposide, "Prophecy Of Peril", which reveal three woman would defeat a evil wizard--one of them from the old pre-Cataclysm world who will "[[TimeTravel be found by her foe]]." --and the wizard [[SchmuckBait falls for the bait]] [[VillainBall much like any other 1980s cartoon villain]].

* In ''{{Angel}}'', the prophecy that [[spoiler: Angel will kill his son]] turns out to be a demonic fake. The demon in question spent the last few hundred years perverting it so that the real prophecy wouldn't come true. [[YouCantFightFate It did.]]

** Likewise, Glorfindel prophecies that the Witch-King will not fall by the hand of any man; and he is indeed killed instead by a woman.

* In ''StarTrek:DeepSpaceNine,'' the "prophets" of Bajor turn out to be the aliens who created the Wormhole, who exist outside of linear time, and who can therefore forsee prophecies by simply reading the future. Even when people use the prophecies to try to avoid them, the attempt only ends up ''fulilling'' them.

* In ''{{A Song of Ice and Fire}}'' this trope normally holds true but is subverted by [[spoiler: Dany's son being satanically miscarried instead of leading the Dothraki to conquering the whole world as was prophecized]]
** But it leads to [[spoiler: Dany trying to take over the world, ''SoYeah'']].