Fire

Fire is a symbol of power. Early humans began their ascension to power over other animal species when they learned how to create and control fire.

Bananas

Harari uses bananas as symbols of cooperation. He describes how Sapiens work together in cooperation to pick and distribute bananas. In contrast, if a chimpanzee wants a banana, he has to go out and get that banana himself.

Corporations

Corporations are symbols of stories. Harari says that things like corporations exist because adults have made up a story saying that they do.

Bottle of Oil

The bottle of oil is a symbol of anointing. In France, it was believed that kings were appointed by God. Those kings had to be men and had to be anointed from a special bottle of oil before they were accepted as kings.

Venus of Willendorf

Venus of Willendorf is a statue of a woman...