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Symbols are objects, characters, figures, and colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.
Silver
Throughout the book, silver is used as a way to repel and identify monstrous beings, making it a symbol of humanity and protection. Silver’s protective qualities have a long history in folklore, and carrying that symbolism into The Last Wish connects the witcher stories to deep tradition. In The Last Wish, silver harms or kills many of the monsters that Geralt encounters, so he can use his silver medallion and sword to quickly distinguish humans from evil beings. This also makes the metal an effective symbol of Geralt’s humanity, which is called into question throughout the book. Although the process by which Geralt became a witcher has made him not entirely human, the fact that he wears silver signals that he is not a monster. Carrying so much silver is also a way for Geralt to signal to others that he has no evil motivations, and has chosen to live as a protector of humanity.
Plants
Plants are a frequent symbol of magic and power in The Last Wish. There are numerous instances where plants are used as magical ingredients, like the monkshood that Geralt burns for protection in “A Grain of Truth” or the plants that Nenneke cultivates for elixirs in “Chapter Six: The Voice of Reason.” By contrast, some plants are used to dispel magic, like the hops and hemp that Torque hides in in “The Edge of the World.” Plants are also symbols of supernatural powers. The blue rose pinned to the dead body of a woman in “A Grain of Truth” is a sign of magic. When Geralt finds a shrub with the same blue flowers, he quickly discovers the cursed Nivellen and the bruxa. Similarly, part of Lille’s transformation into The Queen of the Fields involves her being decorated in garlands of different kinds of plants. Geralt also associates Yennefer with plants, and the scent of lilac and gooseberries signals her presence in “The Last Wish.”
Geralt’s Medallion
On a silver chain and depicting a wolf bearing its fangs, Geralt’s medallion symbolizes his role as a witcher. To Geralt, it symbolizes what he sacrificed to be accepted into the order of witchers, so it is a constant reminder of the trials he endured and the changes he made to his body. Other people, even those who are not deeply connected to magic, recognize what the medallion represents. To them, it symbolizes the mythical power of witchers and signals that Geralt is not like them. Within the order of people with a direct connection to magic, the medallion symbolizes Geralt’s position among them. For example, Renfri, who has been cursed, watches the medallion spin to assess whether Geralt will be on her side or Stregobor’s. And when Geralt is around Yennefer, who is a powerful sorceress, the medallion moves violently, symbolizing her higher standing in the world of magic. In the book’s final scene, the medallion becomes unbearably heavy around Geralt’s neck, symbolizing his violent future.
