Asano Park (Symbol)
Asano Park symbolizes safety amidst the ruined city of Hiroshima. Its green space is calming and soothing, and it serves as a sanctuary while the injured survivors come to terms with what has happened. It also symbolizes unity, as it brings people together from all walks of life to support each other in the face of tragedy. Three of Hersey's six subjects all collide in this park: Mrs. Nakamura, Father Kleinsorge, and Mr. Tanimoto.
Panic Grass and Feverfew (Symbol)
The green plants that begin sprouting all across the city in wake of the bombing—or "panic grass and feverfew," according to Hersey's chapter title—symbolize rebirth and new life that is to come for the city of Hiroshima and its people. It is an unsettling sight amongst the leveled buildings and torn-up streets, but it serves as a reminder to citizens that there is a future after the bombing, and that rebuilding what was lost is possible.
The Bomb (Symbol)
The atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, nicknamed "Little Boy," was the first nuclear weapon ever used in war. As such, it is more than just a bomb: this particular weapon symbolizes the beginning of the atomic age, paving the way for the Cold War that soon followed, and for the current nuclear armament disputes that still plague the world today. It represents the very beginning of a new age of warfare, one that is infinitely more destructive than anything that came before.
Keloids (Symbol)
In the years following the bombing, Dr. Sasaki treats many hibakusha for keloids, which are scars left from injuries and burns obtained during the bombing. These scars are representative of the memories and traces of the attack that will not fade away, no matter how much time passes. Hibakusha were physically marked by the ordeal, and these marks cannot be easily erased. Treating them also proves too overwhelming for Dr. Sasaki, who, though uninjured himself, is often tormented by memories of the dying individuals he treated that day.
Water (Symbol)
Water is a complicated symbol in Hiroshima. On the one hand, it symbolizes life and safety: rivers are such an integral part of Hiroshima's character, and crossing the river is how Mr. Tanimoto helps the gravely wounded escape the fire. On the other hand, it can also be deadly. The Nakamuras fall terribly ill after drinking river water that has been contaminated by radiation from the bomb, and two of Dr. Fujii's shelters are washed away by the river. Water is a dual-faced symbol in this book: it is Hersey's way of relaying the truth that the atomic bomb's unprecedented power could corrupt even the most comforting, familiar things.
