The novel uses mythic characters to symbolically reenact the unity of all creation, but the symbolism does not end there. Many smaller details of the novel are also symbolically significant. For example, Anpao's fall to earth with his mother leaves him with a scar on his face that he bears throughout most of the novel; he even passes by the name of Scarface.

When his father removes the scar, Anpao suddenly stands forth taller, handsomer, and more resplendent—like his father. Symbolism also regularly appears in the smaller, enclosed episodes, such as the story of Snake Boy or the story of how corn came to the earth. In the latter story, Anpao and Ko-ko-mike-is are symbolically "planted": they die, are buried together, are warmed by the anger of the Sun and watered by the tears of the animals, and rise forth in rebirth with Ko-ko-mik-e-is...