It's nearly impossible to deny that Hannibal is an artistic and beautiful show, regardless of whether or not you are a fan. The show features famous artworks and even creates some of its own to add to Hannibal's magnificence. Hannibal incorporates art in many ways, including a literal image of the artwork or a reference that can only be concluded by having a keen eye for art. Not only are there literal art references in Hannibal, but the symbolism itself could be considered artwork of its own.

One common reappearing symbol in Hannibal is the stag or the Ravenstag. As the show progresses, so does the stag. It changes shape and morphs into a more human-like creature with antlers, a Wendigo. A Wendigo is a mythological creature that is said to influence people who come in close contact with them to turn to their evilest desires of cannibalism or to commit murder. The stag appeared in the very first episode of Hannibal and kept its presence throughout all three seasons of the show. Will Graham, a special agent at the FBI, envisioned the stag in his nightmares and visions. After Will was present at a crime scene where a woman's body was mounted onto antlers, he began to see the stag in his dreams. The Ravenstag could hold many meanings, such as a God that watches over Will Graham but does not provide him with any protection. Another possible meaning for the stag is Will's growing evil potential, furthered by Hannibal Lecter, Will's psychiatrist. Will does not initially see the stag appear as a Wendigo. In fact, he only sees the stag as a Wendigo later when he learns about Hannibal's secret life of cannibalism. The Ravenstag is a symbol of Hannibal and Will's relationship which changes as their relationship changes.

Will Graham possesses a special ability that makes him able to help solve murders in an unexplainable way. As he enters a crime scene, he can place himself in the scene but as the killer. He envisions the crime being orchestrated exactly as the criminal had done. While Will is entering the mind of the killer, thin orange lines appear on the screen. In this situation, the orange lines could represent the separation of the good Will and the evil killer.

In the episode "Tome-Wan," Hannibal and Will converse about Achilles and Patroclus, who are often described as having a queer relationship. Hannibal also states how in Greek mythology, it is common to hide and reveal an identity. This theme is also common within Hannibal, as Hannibal himself conceals his cannibalistic identity from Will and his colleagues. Hannibal also sketches Achilles and Patroclus. In "Naka-Choko," Hannibal can be seen bandaging Will's hand which is a reference to the artwork of Achilles bandaging Patroclus' arm.

Throughout Hannibal, there are often scenes with a heavy emphasis on the water. In multiple of these scenes, the person is drowning. The water could depict Hannibal's influence. Alana falls asleep and sinks into the black water, sinking into Hannibal's control and influence. Bedelia, like Alana, drowns in the black water. Unlike Alana and Bedelia, Will jumps into the water on his own, suggesting that he willingly is succumbing to Hannibal's influence. Will also references water but not in such a literal way. Will is a fisherman, unlike Hannibal who is a hunter. Will also says "I feel fluid, like I'm spilling," which is another indirect reference to water. Hannibal's love for Will is made quite obvious, although he never explicitly states his feelings for Will. In Primavera, Hannibal holds a photo of the Vitruvian Man, the "perfect male" and then folds it into the shape of an anatomically-correct heart. This scene is followed by clips of Will on a crime scene, where he discovers a human body in the shape of a human heart. The body is held up by three upside-down swords. The swords piercing the heart are in reference to the Three of Swords tarot card which means heartbreak, grief, or sorrow when in the upright position. When reversed, the meaning changes to optimism or forgiveness. All of this was intentional by Hannibal, who is attentive to detail. Hannibal is telling Will that he forgives him, and of course, Will recognizes this forgiveness because after all, this design is for him.

- september 17, 2022 -

Symbolism in Breaking Bad begins without even watching the show. The title alone is symbolism for the journey that Walter White, the main protagonist (although some may argue he is the antagonist,) takes as a high school chemistry teacher who turns into one of the top methamphetamine cooks in the area. The title represents how his somewhat ordinary life would turn into a life ruled by crime and drugs.

In the first episode, Walt appears to be a normal guy with glasses and a mustache sporting a green shirt and dress pants. However, clothing color is extremely important in the show. Walter’s green shirt possibly represents his greed or maybe showcases that he’s an “ordinary guy.”

During the scene in which he is at the meth lab with Jesse Pinkman, his partner, Walter appears only in a green apron and white underwear which adds to the possible symbolism of greed. Walt’s car is also a pale green color and even replaces the car with a darker shade of green later in the show. Although this post focuses on the pilot episode, it’s important to note how the colors change throughout the series. The colors change and become darker, representing Walter “breaking bad.”

Most characters in the show are often seen wearing the same colors. For example, Skyler White, Walter’s wife, is usually wearing blue. Blue is often represented as loyalty, power, coldness, or purity. While laying in bed with Walter, Skyler is wearing a blue tank top. Purity and loyalty could be tied to Skyler at this point in the show because she is loyal to her family and has not yet gotten involved in Walter’s crime-filled world.

Although most characters stick to the same colors, they can change depending on who they are in contact with. Walter wears a yellow shirt while at the mall with his wife and son, Walter Junior, who has cerebral palsy. A group of teenagers are making fun of his son and Walt steps up and confronts the teenagers. In this situation, yellow can represent pseudo-toughness since Walter is not much of a “tough guy.” He knows he won’t do anything to the teens but tries to appear menacing to them to make them quit making fun of his son.

In the opening scene, a pair of pants is seen floating through the wind. While the pants may not seem to be anything, they symbolize the chaos that will ensue later on in Breaking Bad. There is also a repetitive theme of control throughout the show, but the pants represent a lack of control. Later in the episode, Walt tags along with Hank Schrader, his brother-in-law who is a DEA agent, on a meth lab bust. At the bust, he watches Jesse fleeing, while struggling to put on his pants. Again, the pants in this scene represent the chaos that's taking place and the lack of control.

In this episode, Walt also receives a lung cancer diagnosis. While this may not seem like much, this diagnosis moves the whole series. After Walt witnesses the bust, he realizes how much money can be made from methamphetamine. Later that night, Walter goes to Jesse's house to convince him to become his partner to cook meth. Walter comes up with this plan so he can use the money to pay for his cancer treatments. His diagnosis also has some symbolism though. His diagnosis can represent the turning point in his new life of crime. The diagnosis also symbolizes the loss of life Walter White experiences and the reincarnation into his evil self, Heisenberg.

Another reoccurring theme in Breaking Bad is swimming pools. Typically swimming pools represent happiness, family fun, and wealth. Often, the pool reflects Walter's emotions. Walter stares into the pool after contemplating and possibly feeling guilty about a horrendous act he's done. Although pools are constantly featured throughout Breaking Bad, no one ever uses them for their intended purpose.

In the first episode, Walter and Jesse begin to cook in an RV out in the desert. Later on, Walter and Jesse work for Gus Fring to make meth. The RV represents their freedom because once the pair works under Gus, they lose their freedom and have more rules, although those rules are to keep them safe and from being thrown in jail.

Vince Gilligan is a film genius and purposefully put these symbols into Breaking Bad to add more depth to the show. The first episode is full of beautiful symbolism, which can be hard to spot unless you're searching, and doesn't even come close to the amount of symbolism throughout the whole show.

- august, 2022 -