The image of a crow recurs throughout the book: it represents not only the Carrion Crow clan as an emblem, but the close relationships that members of the clan have with the bird. Adult male members of the clan have scarification on their chest of a bird skull and bird wings on their shoulder blades to underscore the close relationship.

Additionally, depictions of the birds play important roles in the plot: the giant crow Benudah shelters Serapio on Sun Rock after Serapio’s murderous rampage; crows murder the crew of Xiala’s ship when they are about to kill Xiala; Serapio shifts into the consciousnesses of crows to see through their eyes at moments when sight provides an advantage.

The main plot arc of the text bends toward the day of the convergence: on the day of the winter solstice, the moon eclipses the sun. During this cosmic event, when the sun becomes the eponymous Black Sun, Serapio’s abilities as the Odo Sedoh will be at their peak. Because of this, the convergence is when he plans to strike.

The power of the Sun Priest, Naranpa’s initial role, is represented by a mask shaped like the sun. The mask anonymizes its wearer.