Symbolism of Series Emblem
The Dragon Ouroboros
The dragon eating its own tail is the ancient and legendary Ouroboros, which appears directly in The Philosopher's Stone tome within the story.
It symbolizes:
Eternity and the unending cycle of life.
Transformation, a central theme in Myrddin's journey.
The Great Work of alchemy, where perfection is achieved through growth, sacrifice, and refinement.
The struggle to master power rather than be consumed by it.
The circular form is especially fitting because Myrddin's journey repeatedly returns to the same themes:
guilt and redemption,
failure and restoration,
temptation and faith,
death and new life.
The dragon consumes its own tail, yet remains whole. Likewise, Myrddin repeatedly seeks healing from destruction rather than allowing destruction to have the final word.
The Seven-Pointed Star
At the center of the Ouroboros lies the star.
For the series, the star represents:
Lito's light and guidance.
Divine truth.
God's presence amid darkness.
Hope.
The destiny to which Myrddin is called.
The placement is important.
The star is not outside the dragon.
It is inside the dragon's circle.
That suggests that even though Myrddin is surrounded by:
danger,
temptation,
inherited darkness,
Samuel's influence,
there remains an incorruptible light at the core of his soul.
The star is literally the focal point of the emblem. Everything else surrounds it.
Symbolically:
The darkness never becomes the center of the story.
The light does.
The Flames
The flames around the outer edge complete the symbol.
They represent:
The destructive fire arrows of Book One.
The guilt that drives Myrddin in Book Two.
Purification.
Trials and suffering.
The refining fire of faith.
Fire has a dual nature throughout the series:
It can destroy.
It can purify.
The same fire that kills twenty men is ultimately what motivates Myrddin to seek redemption.
The flames also reflect the alchemical themes of The Philosopher's Stone, where transformation often occurs through heat, refinement, and purification.
The Symbol as a Whole
Taken together, the emblem tells the story of The Tales of Myrddin:
The flames represent suffering, trial, and the consequences of choices.
The dragon ouroboros represents transformation, destiny, and the continual struggle between corruption and renewal.
The star represents divine guidance, hope, and the light of God that remains at the center of Myrddin's journey.
In a single image, it expresses:
Through trial and suffering (flames),
a soul is transformed (dragon ouroboros),
while remaining guided by divine light (star).
Book One Chapter Image Symbolism
Here is a guide to the symbolism of the chapter images. Please be aware that there are spoilers here. I suggest reading this up through the chapter you have read and no further.
Concept: His Difficult Journey Begins
Design:
A kneeling boy.
He is grasping his arm.
A small willow tree behind him.
A simple road stretching away.
Symbolism:
Kneeling boy grasping arm = Hurt and alone
Willow = Bark that begins his healing.
Road = His uncertain future.
The Scene = Low point from which his journey begins.
A Boy Hurt and Scared
Chapter One
Concept: His Destiny Begins
Design:
A star.
A cord with a knot tied into it.
Symbolism:
Seven-pointed star = Divine guidance, Lito, faith, and Myrddin's destiny.
Cord = A blue one that now identifies him as Myrddin even though his mother named him Archon at birth. The blue cord represented nobility. Everyone thought this baby was the baron’s. Myrddin’s mother had to do this to protect him. She had to deceive and hide him from his demon father. This is when Myrddin’s destiny begins.
A Beginning
Chapter Two
Concept: The Aftermath Surfaces the Truth
Design:
A star.
Two identical boys face one another.
Symbolism:
Seven-pointed star = Divine guidance, Lito, faith, and Myrddin's destiny.
Identical boys = Discovery that Thomas has an identical twin called Archon. Two lives separated and are now reunited. The deception that has been hidden for years starts to unravel. There is a contrast between the two boys' destinies.
The Aftermath
Chapter Three
Concept: The Cursed Ring at the Crossroads
Design:
A seven-pointed star positioned above the ring.
A simple wooden ring showing the grain and centered.
Below the ring, a forked road or crossroads emerging from the bottom. There is grass and rocks near the road. A signpost shows the different roads.
Symbolism:
Seven-pointed star = Divine guidance, Lito, faith, and Myrddin's destiny.
Ring = Prosperity, temptation, curse, Jairus's downfall, breaking curse through confession, redemption, and parental loss. The knots look like sinister eyes.
Crossroads = Myrddin's fate dividing into dividing paths. His exile and the beginning of a new journey. Myrddin's choice of faith over magic,
Captures both the end of innocence and the start of purpose, which is exactly what "A Twist of Fate" represents.
A Twist of Fate
Chapter Four
Concept: Discovering Himself
Design:
Seven-pointed star centered above Myrddin’s discovery.
On the left, Myrddin is a young surveyor in profile looking through a medieval sighting instrument.
In the center, the surveying instrument.
On the right, is a second profile silhouette of the Myrddin. In his outstretched hand is a simple coal silhouette.
A clean sight line runs from the surveyor's eye through the instrument directly to the second profile.
Symbolism:
Seven-pointed star = Divine guidance, Lito, faith, and Myrddin's destiny.
Left figure is:
Leaning
Searching
Uncertain
Surveying instrument = Recovered forgotten knowledge. Wisdom, planning, and seeing what others overlook. Myrddin seeks understanding rather than power.
Looking = investigation and discovery.
Right figure is:
He is looking at himself
Standing tall
Confident
Recovered identity
This single image captures:
Recovering his name.
Recovering lost memories.
Discovering who he truly is. He is an innovator and can interpret the baron’s prophetic dreams.
The discovered version extends one hand forward. Coal = the first great discovery that reveals his gifts. Hidden potential waiting to be uncovered.
Myrddin the lost exile is discovering Myrddin the future leader.
More Discoveries
Chapter Five
Concept: An Adversary Becomes a Helpful Friend
Design:
Seven-pointed star centered above.
On the left, a profile silhouette of Myrddin kneeling.
On the right, a profile silhouette of Jeal kneeling.
Between them, a single channel stone.
Both boys have one hand on the stone, positioning it together.
Directly beneath the stone, a narrow stream of water is already flowing through the completed portion of the irrigation channel.
Symbolism:
Seven-pointed star = Divine guidance, Lito, faith, and Myrddin's destiny.
Myrddin and Jael working together and becoming allies as shown in Lito’s vision of the future. Jeal helps save the water channels by noticing a flaw and organizing repairs.
Former enemies can work together for the benefit of the community and save it from a drought.
Stone and Irrigation channel = their cooperation produces results. Cooperation replaces rivalry. They become friends.
Building something larger than themselves together. Families become united. Once rivals, Eve and Gwendolen become friends.
Friends in Unlikely Places
Chapter Six
Concept: A Spy Disguised as a Pilgrm
Design:
Seven-pointed star centered above.
Large pilgrim shell badge in the center.
Behind the shell, only part of a hooded pilgrim's profile is visible.
“Third eye” is visible in the spy’s forehead.
Symbolism:
Seven-pointed star = Divine guidance, Lito, faith, and Myrddin's destiny. True faith versus counterfeit spirituality Sameul manipulates. The spy still believes in God and is later conflicted.
Sea Shell = Who is under the shell? Pilgrim disguise among sincere pilgrims.
Hooded cloak and Covered Face = Espionage, infiltration, false identity, hidden motives. Merc uses authentic religious knowledge and a holy exterior to deceive.
“Third eye” relic = Layers of deception. Samuel controls Merc. Merc appears to be a pilgrim, but the real observer is Samuel watching through the “Third Eye” relic.
Missing natural eyes = Nobody actually sees who Merc is.
Spies
Chapter Seven
Concept: Watching for a Critical Weakness
Design:
Seven-pointed star centered above.
Water wheel reflected in an eye.
Large eye in the center.
Within the iris, a simple water wheel silhouette.
Symbolism:
Seven-pointed star = Divine guidance, Lito, faith, and Myrddin's destiny. Even though Merc is a spy, he becomes Myrddin’s friend.
Eye = intelligence gathering.
Water wheel = Chapter's critical reconnaissance target. Merc isn't merely spying in general. He is specifically studying: the irrigation system, the cistern, and armory defenses.
Merc sees the weakness in Myrddin's creation.
Reconnaissance
Chapter Eight
Concept: Plan for Sabotage and Invasion
Design:
Seven-pointed star centered above.
A spear crossed over a large scribe's quill.
A water wheel. The water travels to the cistern near the armory.
Symbolism:
Seven-pointed star = Divine guidance, Lito, faith, and Myrddin's destiny. Even during this evil planning, God’s presence is there.
Spear = How Merc is going to sabotage the cistern and represents the upcoming battle.
Quill = By pretending to be a scribe, Merc plans how to set the armory on fire. The tip of the quill mirrors the spear—information is a weapon. Knowledge has become a tool of war.
Water wheel = Merc is sabotaging the equipment that transfers water for the fire brigade. The same plans that preserve the county are being used to prepare its destruction.
Preparing for War
Chapter Nine
Concept: Capture Myrddin for His Protection
Design:
Seven-pointed star centered above.
Manacles
The left cuff is open
The chain connecting the cuffs is broken
The right cuff is closed.
Symbolism:
Seven-pointed star = Divine guidance, Lito, faith, and Myrddin's destiny. God is there to protect Myrddin even during the betrayal of Merc.
Manacles = Merc is bound by Samuel via the “Third Eye”.
Left Cuff = Open—Merc cares for Myrddin and doesn’t want him hurt. Merc repents and removes the shackles. He is free through redemption.
Broken Chain = Merc repents of his betrayal and breaks away from Samuel’s control. The “Third Eye” is broken.
Right Cuff = Myrddin is shackled by Esper. Myrddin is betrayed by Esper. Esper is still bound to Samuel.
This is about choosing between bondage and repentance.
Betrayal
Chapter Ten
Concept: The Hoe and the Holy Rain
Design:
Instead of the seven-pointed star, we have the Holy Vessel above. This is the chalice of the Last Supper.
From the cup holy rain drops fall.
A farmer’s hoe is crossed with a knight’s sword.
Symbolism:
Holy Vessel = Divine guidance, Lito, faith, Myrddin's destiny. Shows God’s intervention above and presence in Myrddin’s life.
Holy rain drops = Miracle rain which stopped the battle and the drought. The wounded were healed by this holy water. Represents healing and reconciliation.
Farmer's hoe crossed with a knight's sword = Peasants and soldiers fighting in a battle below. Jeal and the field workers becoming defenders of Myrddin and the garrison soldiers.
Farmer’s hoe = Villager’s courage
Sword = Conflict
The Battle
Chapter Eleven
Concept: Trapped in the Tower Without Intellectual Growth
Design:
No star.
Tower window opening.
Myrrddin reaching with arm extended.
A book flying away from Myrddin.
Symbolism:
No Star = Myrddin feels that divine guidance has grown distant. He doesn’t realize that Lito is distant because of free will.
Tower Window = Myrddin is isolated and imprisoned. This gifted boy is trapped.
Myrddin’s arm = Myrddin is reaching for the knowledge he craves. He wishes freedom to live as he wishes and be with his family and friends. It is just out of reach. Something precious is slipping away. He still hopes.
Flying book = Knowledge that Myrddin wishes to learn, but Samuel prevents him. These are the books Samuel has confiscated.
A Young and Desperate Serf
Chapter Twelve
Concept: First Successful Magic Spell
Design:
No star.
An arrow with a bark cylinder carrying the fire arrow compound. The cylinder is stitched with twine and the seam is visible.
A ward of magic in the form of a circle.
Symbolism:
No Star = Myrddin feels that divine guidance has grown distant.
Arrow = Method to deploy a fire aboard an enemy ship.
Magic circle = A protective barrier that surrounds the arrow. Myrddin’s first successful use of magic. He believes this use of magic is warranted because it protects against accidental destruction. Archers are protected from their own arrows. This is where he considers it a craft, but Myrddin actually crosses a threshold.
Right symbol = Fire. The ward protects the arrow from accidentally catching on fire.
Bottom symbol = Cracked stone. This ward protects the arrow from accidental impact.
Left symbol = Water. The ward protects the arrow from accidentally being drenched by water.
Top symbol = Binding. This binds magic to the fire arrow.
Magic
Chapter Thirteen
Concept: Myrddin is Tested by Esper
Design:
No star.
A simple medieval-style feminine hand.
Fingers open.
A knife slips out of the hand.
A radiant circular halo made of clean concentric rings and short rays.
The rays appear to emanate from the circle toward the hand,
Symbolism:
No Star = Myrddin feels that divine guidance has grown distant.
Rays = A pulse of magical influence spreading toward Esper’s hand.
Rings = Compulsion magic that Myrddin casts on Esper.
First time Myrddin uses magic directly on a person.
Esper realizes she can be controlled.
Samuel becomes proud.
Lito becomes alarmed.
Hand and Fingers = Will power. When Myrddin casts compulsion, Esper’s fingers open and she drops the knife. He overpowers her will.
Dropped Knife = Esper loses control in the situation.
This captures the chapter's true turning point:
Myrddin was tested under pressure—Esper clutches her knife.
Myrddin no longer merely protects objects.
He begins influencing people.
Myrddin compels Esper to drop her knife.
Samuel sees power, confidence, and the beginning of a darker path.
Lito sees a violation of another person's will and a moral line being crossed.
As Myrddin gains mastery over magic, he discovers that the greatest danger is not controlling fire but controlling others.
Further Testing
Chapter Fourteen
Concept: The True Test of Two Futures
Design:
No star.
A fierce demon.
A shield separating the demon and elderly man.
A wise and peaceful elderly man.
Symbolism:
The scene depicts Myrddin’s dream.
Demon = This is the monstrous future Myrddin fears. Samuel pulls him to darkness. This choice means either gray or evil results—the ends justify the means. Using dangerous magic to save his mother.
Shield = Separation of Good and Evil futures. Represents the shield Jael uses to protect Myrddin and Captain Thorne. It is a choice of protection over destruction. Myrddin chooses restraint—he promises to use magic defensively by creating protective wards. Lito protects Myrddin’s soul. Myrddin asks God for strength rather than power.
Elderly man = This is the other good future Myrddin wishes. Lito points toward goodness. Represents Myrddin becoming a wise, peaceful, elderly man. Myrddin uses power without losing his humanity.
The True Test of Fire Arrows
Chapter Fifteen
Concept: Hope Overcomes Tragedy
Design:
No star.
A magical circle
Radiant lines
A shimmering globular stone.
A flame.
Symbolism:
Magical circle = Philosopher’s stone is much like magic, but not the dangerous magic Samuel uses. It is more like when Moses throws down his staff and it becomes a snake.
Radiant lines – the spark that returns to Myrddin.
Shimmering stone sphere = Philosopher’s stone replaces the star. Perfection and healing of God. Life. Completion. Harmony. Divine order. Eternity. Transformation. Represents hope overcoming the tragedy of fire arrows. Potential redemption and purpose.
Flame = The destruction and guilt of previous chapters. The deaths and consequences. The fire arrows.
