Horses (Symbol)
Horses are perfect symbols for the gauchos - wild, fast, untamed. The gauchos care for their horses more than anything else and they are seen as key to the success of the provinces; similarly, the gauchos think they are the most powerful and vibrant of men.
Lions and Tigers (Symbol)
Lions and tigers symbolize Facundo. Their power, rage, and terror symbolize the equally terrifying Facundo; Sarmiento tells the story of the monstrous tiger to set the stage for his antihero.
Cordova (Symbol)
The artificial lake in Cordova symbolizes its sterility and removal from the outside world, while its ravines and cloisters symbolize its focus on tradition and stuffy, close-mindedness.
The Men (Symbol)
Clearly, Rivadavia and Paz symbolize civilization, while Facundo and Rosas symbolize barbarism. This is the main point of Sarmiento's work - barbarism and civilization are in constant contact and conflict with each other.
Red (Symbol)
The color red, as seen in Rosas's ribbons, robes of barbarian kings, red cloths of Negro princes, the flags of barbaric nations, and the garb of executioners, symbolizes "terror, blood, barbarism" (127).
