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Symbols are objects, characters, figures, and colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.
Feyre’s Self-Portrait
When she first begins to paint after the war with Hybern, Feyre decides to find a private space in which to paint, rather than painting at home or joining Ressina’s group of artists. She paints a self-portrait, depicting herself in the way that she once saw herself in the Ouroboros mirror. In the painting, as in the mirror’s reflection, Feyre is a ferocious and proud beast, covered in scales and claws. At first, she decides to hide the painting from the others, as it seems to expose the dark aspects of her personality. However, she gifts Rhysand the painting during the Solstice, suggesting that she fully trusts him and no longer feels that she needs to hide anything from him. The painting, then, reflects both Feyre’s sense of her own identity and her full faith in Rhysand’s love.
The Tapestry
When Feyre is shopping for gifts for the Solstice, she enters the shop of a weaver and is struck by a dark black tapestry bearing the insignia of the Night Court, a mountain crowned by three stars, in bright silver thread. The weaver, whose name is Aranea, explains that she developed the dark black textile, which she calls Void, after the death of her mate in the war with Hybern. The black textile represents the weaver’s profound feelings of despair and grief. However, Aranea also notes that she has given the name “Hope” to the bright silver thread that she has developed. Feyre is touched by Aranea’s story and recognizes the significance of the work of art that she has created in her mourning. Hope, Feyre realizes, shines brightly even in the midst of despair. She purchases the tapestry and later hangs it in her art studio, reflecting the importance it holds for her.
The Birthday Cake
Feyre’s birthday falls on the Winter Solstice. Though she at first imagines, and even hopes, that her birthday will be overshadowed by the festivities, her friends and family nevertheless make time to also celebrate her birthday, testifying to their love for her. With the help of Nuala and Cerridwen, Elain baked an elaborate, multi-tiered birthday cake. They have decorated the top layer of the cake with flowers, the middle layer with flames, and the bottom layer with stars. Feyre is deeply touched by the design of the cake, as she immediately recognizes its significance. Prior to her transformation into a faerie, Feyre painted a dresser in their family home, with flowers to represent Elain, flames to represent Nesta, and stars to represent herself. Elain notes that she asked Nuala to put the stars on the bottom layer because Feyre is the “foundation” of their family. The cake, then, connects Feyre to her past and represents the tight bonds between the sisters, despite their occasionally difficult relationship.
The Estate
When Rhysand walks along the river in Velaris, he observes the various once-grand estates that have been reduced to rubble after the attack on Velaris by Hybern. Many of the wealthy families that once lived there have moved out, some leaving Velaris and the Night Court altogether. The ruins, then, reflect the difficult times that Velaris has experienced. Still, after Feyre announces her desire to have a child with Rhysand, he reveals his final gift to her: he has purchased the grounds of a ruined estate. On Feyre’s instructions, a new house will be built, one that fits Feyre’s needs and desires. The new estate, then, reflects Rhysand’s optimism for the future and his commitment to his life with Feyre. In the new estate, they hope to start a family, and Feyre imagines that it will be the largest building in Velaris to accommodate their needs, suggesting that she plans to someday have multiple children with Rhysand.
