Symbols in Their Eyes Were Watching God

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston has many, many symbols. This is a list of the most prominent symbols and some less prominent ones.

1. Roots of Trees
1. Symbolizes: African people without any roots

2. Trees (especially the Pear Tree)
1. Symbolizes: Janie's womanhood and coming of age

3. Mule - Black Women
1. Symbolizes: Black women getting the worst treatment in society
2. Example: Logan tired of treating Janie as a princess and then wants her to work, so he buys her a mule for heavy labor

4. Gate and Road
1. Related to the metaphor in the beginning of the book
2. Gate is the shore and the road represents the waves as Janie tries to find her dreams in the "sea"

5. The New Horizon
1. Janie is constantly looking over the gatepost, down the road, to a new horizon (a dream or new start)

6. The Eatonville General Store
1. Represents the center of the first all-black town

7. The illumination of the lamppost
1. Symbolizes: The start of a new all-black town
2. Also shows that Joe Starks is all-powerful and likes to make others bow down to him, including Janie

8. Joe and Janie's two-story house
1. Represents his similarity to a plantation owner, while the townspeople would be like slaves living in shack-style homes

9. Tobacco spittoon
1. Represents Joe's wealth and power

10. Head rag
1. Symbolizes: Joe's control over Janie

11. Long braid/hair
1. Symbolizes: Janie's freedom

12. Blue
1. Tea Cake and Janie's willingness to make compromises in their relationship
2. Symbol of love

13. Fish and Frying fish
1. Symbolizes: Sharing relationship between Janie and Tea Cake

14. Checkers
1. Symbolizes: Janie's equality in Tea Cake's mind

15. Booker T and Mrs. Turner
1. Booker T symbolizes getting rid of racism
2. Mrs. Turner symbolizes racism, so does not like Booker T 

16. Dirt/Soil of the Muck
1. The rich soil represents the working class, growth, and the ability to be oneself

17. Hurricane
1. Symbolizes: God's almighty power

18. Rabid Dog
1. Symbolizes: That when something good happens, life then changes; things can't stay the same

19. Guitar
1. Symbolizes: The playful side of people that is often shown in the Muck

20. Overalls
1. Symbolizes: The working side of people

21. Packet of Seeds
1. Symbolizes: New life and simultaneously remembering love