The Meaning Behind Those Statues In The White Lotus Season 2

The colorful porcelain busts dotting the titular White Lotus resort in Season 2 are an Italian tradition based on a bit of folklore from the 11th century. Known as the Testa Di Moro, per Turuni, the story goes that a young Moor declared his love for a woman who was relaxing on her balcony in Palermo. She requited his love, but soon discovered that her new flame had a wife and children waiting for him in his home country. Jealous and angry, she decapitated the man and, in a maudlin stroke of interior decorating inspiration, turned his head into a flower pot so that he’d stay with her forever. According to the folklore, her entire town copied the idea and made clay pots in the shape of a Moor’s head.

Mike White has emphasized the scandalous themes of Season 2, telling TV Insider, “This one is more about sexual politics, with elements of a bedroom farce where people are sneaking in and out of hotel rooms.” Indeed, throughout the 2nd season, we can expect to watch the ensemble cast give in to the temptations of lust, forming a house of cards that seems sure to come toppling down, bringing them with it. The repeated motif of the Testa Di Moro makes a lot of sense in that context. Just as the woman in the traditional tale murders her lover in an act of revenge, the opening scene of “The White Lotus” Season 2 informs us that multiple characters will be slain by the season finale, and it would be unsurprising if the motivation for murder is the betrayal of love.

“The White Lotus” airs Sundays at 9 p.m EST on HBO, and streams simultaneously on HBO Max.