The Crown as Symbol
To Peachey and Dan, a crown symbolizes the ultimate attainment possible to a human being. To be a king is, to Dan, to be completely free of the constraints and worries that otherwise plague every aspect of human existence. A crown symbolizes security, liberty, and most importantly the consent of the people he governs. The crown also symbolizes authority, because Dan in particular believes that a king should be above the law.
The Masonic Third Degree Symbol
The symbol of the Masonic Third Degree is not described in detail, however it represents hidden knowledge that is of divine origin. Because Dan and Peachey happen to be Master Freemasons, they are well acquainted with the symbol and also with the rites of the Third Degree. This knowledge the possess, or appear to possess, allows them to masquerade not only as men of a more enlightened and powerful type, but as gods.
Animals as Symbols of Degradation
Any deterioration from human standards is expressed in terms of human beings behaving like, or having characteristics of, some animal or another. Peachey walks on his crippled feet like a bear, and his mutilated hand is compared to a bird's claw. During a battle, Dan bellows like a bull and later, as he begins to lose his mind, he looks about him like a stuck pig. The people of Kafiristan, when they turn against their kings, are described as smelling like pigs.
Whirligig as Symbol of Futility
As part of their disguise, Dan and Peachey collect toys and trinkets, ostensibly to sell to an Afghan leader, but in reality as a cover story to disguise their load of guns and ammunition. Among these toys were whirligigs: small, fan-like trinkets that spin around in a circle. From time to time, a circular gesture is described as a whirligig movement, and Dan's long fall into the abyss his body is described as turning around and around like a whirligig. All the motion and effort associated with their long journey to Kafiristan, their frantic efforts to become kings, their ongoing labor to try to manage their empire, and even their attempts to communicate are futile, wasted effort.
Guns as Symbol of Authority
It is with their guns that Dan and Peachey first earn the fear and respect of the Kafiristani tribesmen. Later they are able to exploit their knowledge of Freemasonry to extend their empire by claiming access to divine knowledge, but every time Dan or Peachey needs to get someone's attention, they either shoot or slam down the butt of a rifle. At the end of the story, Peachey runs out of ammunition, and that is when he and Dan are taken and punished for their deception.
