"Always and forever."
The Originals - Symbolism & Philosophy
Symbols & Motifs
New Orleans
The city of New Orleans symbolizes home, legacy, and a contested prize. For the Mikaelsons, it's the home they built and were forced to abandon, representing their lost glory and the family they once were. For Marcel, it's the kingdom he forged from the ashes, a sanctuary for his chosen family. The constant struggle for control of the French Quarter is a physical manifestation of the characters' internal struggles for belonging and identity.
The city is the central setting for the entire series. Its unique culture of music, magic, and revelry provides a vibrant, atmospheric backdrop for the supernatural politics. The control of key locations like the French Quarter, the cemeteries (domain of the witches), and the bayou (home to the werewolves) signifies the shifting power balances throughout all five seasons.
The White Oak Stake
The White Oak Stake is the ultimate symbol of mortality and vulnerability for the otherwise indestructible Original vampires. It represents the one thing they fear: a final, irreversible death. It is a constant reminder that despite their immense power, they are not beyond destruction, often at the hands of each other.
The stake, or fragments of it, appears throughout the series as a major threat. It is the weapon their father Mikael uses to hunt them. In the final season, it becomes a tool of sacrifice, as Klaus and Elijah use it to destroy the Hollow and themselves, transforming the symbol of their greatest fear into the means of their ultimate redemption.
Fleur-de-lis
The fleur-de-lis symbolizes royalty, heritage, and the ruling class of New Orleans. It is visually associated with the Mikaelsons and their legacy as the founders of the city's supernatural community, as well as with Marcel's subsequent reign as 'King' of the Quarter.
The symbol is prevalent in the architecture and design of the French Quarter set pieces. It is often seen on gates, jewelry, and other decorative elements within the Mikaelson compound and Marcel's territory, visually reinforcing the themes of royalty, legacy, and the fight for control of the city.
Always and Forever
This vow is the central motto and symbol of the Mikaelson family's bond. It represents their pledge to stand by each other through anything. However, it also symbolizes a toxic codependency, a promise that has often been used to justify betrayal, cruelty, and the exclusion of outsiders. It is both a declaration of unbreakable loyalty and a curse that binds them to their dysfunctional cycle.
The phrase is spoken by the Mikaelson siblings in pivotal moments of unity and crisis throughout all five seasons. Elijah, in particular, champions this vow as the family's guiding principle. The meaning of the vow evolves over the series, culminating in the finale where Elijah chooses to die with Klaus, giving the phrase its ultimate, tragic meaning.
Philosophical Questions
Can true redemption be achieved, regardless of past atrocities?
The series explores this question primarily through Klaus. For centuries, he is an unrepentant monster. The birth of his daughter, Hope, forces him to confront his capacity for unconditional love, which becomes the catalyst for his transformation. The show continually asks if his acts of love and sacrifice for his daughter can outweigh a thousand years of murder and betrayal. The finale suggests that redemption is possible, not through being forgiven by the world, but through the transformative power of love and self-sacrifice for family.
Are we defined more by the family we are born into or the family we choose?
This is a central conflict in the series. The Mikaelsons are bound by their blood vow of "Always and Forever," a bond that is both their greatest strength and a toxic curse. This is contrasted with Marcel Gerard, who was born a slave and disowned, yet built his own powerful family from the vampire outcasts of New Orleans. His loyalty to his chosen family often puts him at odds with the Mikaelsons' blood-above-all creed. The series suggests both are forms of family are equally valid and powerful, each demanding immense loyalty and sacrifice.
Is immortality a gift or a curse?
Through the eyes of the Mikaelsons, especially Rebekah, the series portrays immortality as a profound burden. While they possess incredible power, they are doomed to watch mortal loved ones die and are trapped in a cycle of their own emotional turmoil for centuries. Rebekah's deepest desire is to live a simple, human life with love and family. The show posits that an endless life without hope or the ability to truly grow and change is the definition of being cursed.
Core Meaning
At its heart, "The Originals" is an exploration of the redemptive power of family and the idea that no one is truly beyond saving. The series posits that the deepest wounds are often inflicted by those we love most, yet that same love is the only force potent enough to heal them. It examines the cyclical nature of violence and trauma, as the Mikaelsons, monsters of their own and others' making, confront the legacy of their past. The birth of Hope Mikaelson serves as the catalyst, shifting the family's eternal quest for power towards a new, more profound purpose: protecting the next generation and finding a path to humanity, no matter the cost. The ultimate message is that true power lies not in immortality or dominance, but in love, loyalty, and the willingness to sacrifice for family.