Which is true about Gardevoir?

Question

What is Gardevoir based off of? I've heard that it could be based off of a male, and then I've heard that it could be based off of a female. That is super confusing so I want to know if you know what it is based off of.

I've heard that Gardevoir could be a male from one of the answers on this site: https://pokemondb.net/pokebase/214366/why-is-it-possible-for-mr-mime-to-be-female-and-gardevoir-male
For those who do not want to read the whole thing (Keep in mind that the whole thing may be more useful to read since it has more details than my summary):
It's basically saying that Gardevoir's name in Japanese translated to English is 'Sir Knight', that it is based off of a knight because it's 'dress' is really a cape, and that Game Freak pretty much forgot that they made it a male so they made its mega evolution wearing a dress. Poor Gardevoir...

I've also heard that Gardevoir could be based off of a female: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Gardevoir_(Pokémon)#Biology
You should still read the actual thing, but my summary:
It's basically saying that Gardevoir's 'cape' is a dress, what would be sort of like a helmet for male Gardevoir is it's hair, and that the male form of Kirlia is Gallade and only Gallade. (well, that's what it implies)

So, which is it? Could it be both, like the males are knights and the females are female knights...? I just completely confused myself. So, do you know what Gardevoir is based off of?

Comments

Some people think Gardevoir is based on Japanese paper dolls, which apparently wear dresses regardless of gender.

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Gardevoir's "dress" also resembles a knight's robe.

Answer 1

Keep in mind that Pokémon can be based off of multiple themes.

For example, Primarina is both a siren and a seal. Bisharp is based off of a samurai and a bishop (from chess). Pokémon do not have to be as straight-forward as "bird" or "magnet" or "ice cream." Going by that logic, it makes sense for Gardevoir to take inspiration from a few different sources.

Knight's Robes

Notice how the cloth drapes down under the waist, similar to Gardevoir's gown.

Gardevoir resembles a principal dancer. Its exaggerated head with minimal facial expression and an overall frail, featureless physique could also be attributed to anesama ningyou, a style of traditional Japanese paper doll. Its protective nature over its Trainer may suggest that it is based on a guardian angel, though its ghost-like characteristics could also suggest that it is based on ghosts that refuse to leave this world.

Anesama Ningyou

These dolls are unisex, despite their feminine appearance (well, that particular doll is female, but the male ones look similar). They somewhat resemble Gardevoir, especially the blank face and dress.

Principal Dancer

Kirlia resembles a dancer the most, but certain themes carry on to Gardevoir — particularly the form of the dancer's dress being similar to Gardevoir's white areas. While this design is quite feminine, there are male dancers as well (although they forgo tutus for uncomfortable looking tights).

Guardian Angel

Once again, similar robes. Also note that angels, being divine beings, do not have any particular gender. In the Bible they appear as both males and females, depending on how they wish to appear. The main idea is that angels are unisex.

Conclusion

Gardevoir is based off of many different things, most of them unisex with the exception of knights and dancers. Also, it is very important to consider cultural differences when considering Gardevoir's appearances. In Japan, the first thing they think when they see Gardevoir is not (or was not) "girl." This is apparent in Gardevoir's Japanese name (Sir Knight). Where we see a woman-esque figure in a dress, they see a knight or a paper doll. It's not as though Game Freak made a deliberately feminine Pokémon and then decided to make it both genders (although they have done this in the past coughMachampcough).

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Postscript: Mega Gardevoir and Gallade

Gallade is a male-only evolution of Kirlia and considered Gardevoir's "male counterpart" despite male Gardevoir still being a thing. While not a concrete fact, the popular theory is that Game Freak realized how the western world considered Gardevoir to be feminine and not unisex, so they made a kickass masculine evolution for Kilria with swords on its arms.

Mega Gardevoir came many years after Gardevoir, when the whole world — even Japan — considered Gardevoir to be a primarily female Pokémon. They already had Gallade to fill the male role. Thus, it makes sense for them to simply role with the two X chromosomes and give Mega Gardevoir a ball gown, masquerade mask, and fancy gloves.

Comments

Great answer! They should make like a whole Kirlia evolution like Eevee that is based off of the original idea with the knight and they should have princesses and princes and then a king and a queen and a maid and stuff like that. But I have to say that you learn something new every day about Gardevoir. First, I thought it was female only and that male Gardevoir were just plain weird. Then I read the thing about how Mr. Mime is female and Gardevoir is male and I thought Gardevoir should be male only and that female Gardevoir were weird. Now I read this and Gardevoir is female again!? It could go both ways but even Japan thinks the Pokemon they originally made to go both ways, male or female, is only female. You're still awesome, male Gardevoir! Now, what I don't get is Gothitelle. Elle in in Gothitelle! Elle is the word for girl in French!