The Sun
Dawn is a symbolic herald for the arrival and eventual victory of the Cid over his enemies. In addition, the sun is metaphorically enlisted as a figurative device to associate the Cid and his followers as forces of “light” with the purpose of bringing good into situations marked by the darkness of the forces of evil.
Swords
Swords are a solid symbol of kinship that play a major role in the progression of the narrative. The gift of swords by the Cid to the Infantes is deliberately intended as a symbolic gesture of kinship. Later, in a ritualistic demand for the return of the swords, the weapons reverse their meaning and come to symbolize that the kinship between them has now been torn asunder. A new brotherhood is established when the Cid gives the swords to Pedro Bermudez and to Martın Antolınez.
The Lion
The lion is a symbol of slightly more complicated qualities than generally assumed. Because the lion is the king of the beasts, it naturally is emblematic of bravery and courage which is thus transferred to the Cid due to his ability to tame it. On a deeper level in which the Cid’s actions are place in contrast to the cowardice of the Infantes, however, the lion’s position as king of the beasts is also transferred to the Cid who displays all the qualities of sovereign despite not actually being a crowned monarchy or head of state.
Beards
The beard is invested with a deeply symbolic meaning as a metaphor for honor. The Cid goes to great lengths to tie his beard with a cord in a way that reduces the possibility of being pulled either purposely or by accident. Either way, the tugging of a such a long, flowing beard is a mark of dishonor. The Cid recalls with some gratification that ever since he himself tugged on the beard of Count García Ordéñez, the whiskers have not grown since, indicating that the Count has suffered a significant loss to his honor.
Biting the Grass
One of the strangest episodes in the entire narrative occurs when the Cid sees Lord Alphonso on his horse and immediately throws himself to the ground and presses his face grass, tearing at it with his teeth. This is a symbol filled with the history of ancient ritual: such a bizarre demonstration was long viewed as an exhibition of submission toward a ruler by one of his loyal servants.
