Stake
The stake is meant to symbolize death yet also life. Whilst the stake is intended to kill someone, it can also bring them back to life, as seen in the case of Robert, Sonia and Dimitri. It is clear that the use of s stake has its meaning derived from the person who intends to use it for their purpose.
Strigoi
Strigoi’s are clearly meant to represent the evil in the world. Their blood-sucking tendencies and general lust for carnage, as seen by their thoughtless attacks on Rose’s school, have meant that killing is their way of life.
Moroi
The Moroi are meant to be in direct juxtaposition to the Strigoi, in that they are meant to be the ‘good’ in the world. Lissa is proof of this, due to her all-loving nature and her sacrifice to make Dimitri dhampir again. Indeed, he even pledges himself for the rest of his life after she has saved him, as though she is some otherworldly god-like figure.
Tarot card
The tarot cards that predicted Rose and Dimitri’s fate really come out to play. The fortune teller predicted that Dimitri would lose his soul and we see it coming into play throughout the book, when he gathers a ring of Strigoi to kill hoards of Moroi’s and Damphirs.
