China
China itself is symbolic of wasted potential. For much of its lifespan, China has had the potential to be wildly successful and incredibly wealthy. However, because of internal and external factors, it has (until now) never had that chance.
The Han dynasty
The Han dynasty is symbolic of China's failures. Because of rampant corruption and constant fighting, the Han dynasty fell apart, giving way to warlords like Cao Cao, who fought to control and ultimately unify the country. But that failed, and China was thrown into chaos.
Noblemen
For many in China during the 14th century, noblemen were aspirations. Many people wanted to be like the noblemen because of the power and money they wielded, leading to power struggles.
Wealth
The wealth of many of the characters—including Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Sun Quan—is symbolic of the vast divide between the rich and poor in China in the 14th century. In many ways, the wealthy were responsible for the collapse of the Han dynasty, which precipitated the events of the novel.
Battle
One of the most common motifs in the novel is fighting battles. Throughout the novel, battles occur after the fall of the Han dynasty. Most notably, the Battle of Red Cliffs occurred to determine control of China itself. There, countless lives were lost, property was damaged, and power structures were radically shifted, showing the transformative power war can have.
