Writing Characters: Symbolism in Physical Appearance

Is it his hair? Wayward, sticking up at different angles, no matter how hard he brushes it?

Is it his glasses? Circular lenses, spindly, easily broken and easily mended with a flick of the wand?

Is it his green eyes? Glinting with his famous anger and so similar to his mother’s?

Or is it his lightning-shaped scar? An unrelenting reminder of his connection to the Dark Lord, Voldemort?

No matter your choice, you must appreciate the importance of each of these traits and how they added layers of complexity to Harry’s story and personality.

This is the power of symbolism. Symbolism in physical appearance is essential because our appearance is a result of our origin and our origin is a part of our story.

Physical appearance can take two forms. Our biological appearance and our affected appearance.

Our biological appearance is a result of our genetics. Our race, our gender, our height, the curl pattern of our hair and so on.

Our affected appearance is a choice. As a pharmacist, I often find myself in a lab coat and trousers. My sister is a doctor. When I picture her at the hospital, she is in deep blue scrubs and a pair of Crocs.

Ask yourself: Where was my character born? How do people in this region speak? What is the race of my character? What are the physical features common to people of this race? What is my character’s occupation? What style of dressing is common among people in this profession?

Define your character’s biological and affected appearance and imbue these features with deeper meaning, connecting their appearance to the themes of the story.

If you’ve watched Shōgun, you’ll see how Blackthorne’s appearance slowly changed over the course of the show. He is first given traditional Japanese robes to replace his European outfit. Then, he is given katanas to replace his guns. 

Initially, Blackthorne looks discomfited in his new outfit. With time, however, he embraces his appearance, looking more comfortable with the garment and with the Japanese culture.

Symbolism adds nuance to a character’s portrayal.

How do you use symbolism when writing a character

Identify the core themes of your story or the internal struggles of your character. Consider how certain physical traits could symbolise these themes. A birthmark could identify a character as the destined saviour. A scar could represent past trauma.

I used to think that fantasy writers have it easier than others when it comes to weaving symbolism into the physical traits of their characters. Because they can make up anything they want to.

Hahaha. I mean, how many lightning-shaped scars have you seen in real life?

That opinion has changed slightly over the years, however. After all, Shōgun, a show (based on a book) based on historical fact used symbolism exceedingly well. I still think fantasy writers have the upper hand here but writers of all genres can use symbolism that aligns with the overall tone and message of the narrative.

Something to avoid when writing a character

Subtlety is key; readers appreciate discovering symbolism on their own rather than having it explicitly spelt out for them. Try not to be overt or heavy-handed with symbolism.

Summary

Imbuing the physical traits of your characters with symbolism can add layers and nuance to your narrative. Make sure to integrate symbolism seamlessly into the narrative and allow readers to infer meaning.