Symbolism in HOA

[Lesser spren]

I realiized something, Vin and Elend represent the concepts of ruin and preservation (Elend wears white, Vin wears black, Elend's character arc is not forgetting the good in himself, Vin's character arc is become comfortable with who she is becoming, Vin ascended to become preservation, Elend duralumin burned Ruins essence). Sazed was the one to marry Vin and Elend. Sazed symbolizes the unity of ruin and preservation literally and metaphoricaly.

[CTA]

In this framework, does Vin represent Ruin or Preservation? She Ascends to become Preservation's vessel, but black is associated with Ruin.

[Bejarden he/him]

I normally see her as someone who destroys to protect 

If given the opportunity I think she could have been Harmony but that’s not that important to this

She doesn’t fit the mold of either of them.

[Elegy he/him]

If I recall correctly, Vin was brought into all of this by Ruin (hence him calling her the "Beautiful Destroyer") when he made her mother spike her as a child. Preservation just latched onto her to take away Ruin's weapon. So her arc was first and foremost set into action by Ruin, and Preservation then molded her (which is why he helped her against Rashek). So I think it fits because she was initially "of" Ruin.

Also, the contrast between Ruin and Preservation fits how they complimented each other. That's what the arc of their relationship in Well of Ascension is about: Elend trying to keep peace, but needing Vin to protect him by fighting assassins and such. A good example of this is when Elend's attempts to find democratic (instead of destructive, oppressive) solutions are interrupted by a bunch of assassins and Vin busting their heads in return.

Although I guess this duality is kind of muddled as soon as Elend starts fighting a lot himself in Hero of Ages.

[Thaidakar the Ghostblood he/him]

Slowswift represents J.R.R.Tolkien