The Glimourie Tree (symbol)
The Glimourie Tree represents magic as a finite resource and the lifeblood of the Archipelago. In that, it sustains the mystical creatures and magic of the world. It acts as a symbol of protection and balance but also highlights vulnerability. The immortality it grants to the titular Immortal figure is a metaphor for stewardship—only through careful tending and protection can magic endure. It is placed within a complex maze symbolizing how the most precious things require effort and sacrifice to protect. The story also suggests that human exploitation of magic leads to dire consequences, as the tree and its energy begin to diminish from greed and negligence.
The Maze (symbol)
The maze surrounding the Glimourie Tree symbolizes life’s challenges and the journey toward enlightenment or self-discovery. Leonardo da Vinci and Enzo da Vinci built it making it nearly impossible to navigate. As such, it indicates the notion that true wisdom or power is not easily attained. Only the Immortal knows the way through the maze, which also denotes the exclusivity of certain knowledge and how it must be handled responsibly. The maze’s traps and hidden perils emphasize how obstacles require perseverance and skill to overcome.
The Unicorn (symbol)
Unicorns embody purity and transformation as they are born golden and eventually turn silver and white. Their transformation over time from one precious metal to another is symbolic of growth, maturity, and the natural progression toward purity. Unicorns also represent healing and restoration as their breath endows courage and their hair cures fatal wounds. This connects them to themes of hope and redemption where characters and situations beyond recovery still find healing.
The Dryad-Wood Boat (symbol)
The Dryad-Wood Boat is a symbol of sacrifice and rarity. It is believed that no dryad would willingly give their wood for constructing such a boat. Therefore, it is made from the body of a dryad who has sacrificed herself. The boat’s unique abilities—being able to break away from the Island of Murderers—illustrate how great power comes from equally great sacrifices. This boat's resistance to age also ties into the theme of immortality and the preservation of memory.
Flight (motif)
Mal’s flying coat enables her to transcend the physical limitations of the world and escape the ground. It allows her to experience the thrill of independence and liberation from the struggles of her life, such as societal expectations and looming dangers. However, this motif also highlights the limits of freedom. Mal can only fly when the wind is present, which implies that in freedom there are constraints. Flight connects to the larger theme of adventure and exploration in the novel. Mal uses her ability to fly as a way of pushing boundaries to explore the magical Archipelago.
