“Peaky Blinders” is much more than a gripping tale of gangsters, power struggles, and violent ambition. It’s a nuanced exploration of post-World War I Britain, a time when societal upheaval and personal trauma collided to create complex characters and narratives. One of the most intriguing aspects of the series is how it uses symbolism—both subtle and overt—to deepen the viewer’s understanding of its characters and their psychological makeup. Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of Tommy Shelby, the enigmatic leader of the Peaky Blinders gang, stands at the forefront of this symbolic storytelling. Every gesture, every look, and every object around Tommy is imbued with meaning, often reflecting his internal struggles, his desires, and his complex relationships with power and family.

In this article, we will delve into the most prominent symbols associated with Tommy Shelby and the Peaky Blinders, examining how they illuminate key themes in the series, enhance character development, and drive the narrative forward.

The Peaky Blinders Cap: A Symbol of Power and Identity

One of the most iconic elements of Peaky Blinders is the gang’s signature flat cap—essentially the visual shorthand for the show itself. The cap is more than just a piece of clothing; it’s a symbol of the gang’s identity, their social status, and their violent capabilities. Worn by Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) and his crew, the flat cap becomes an emblem of the power dynamics at play in the series.

The razor blades sewn into the brim of the cap are a particularly significant detail. While they initially appear to be just a crude, yet effective weapon, they serve as a potent metaphor for the gang’s approach to violence and authority. Just as the Peaky Blinders are quick to resort to violent measures, the razor blades are hidden in plain sight—silent, deadly, and always ready for use. In a way, they represent the undercurrent of menace that runs through every action Tommy and his gang undertake. It is not just about power through influence; it’s power through violence, intimidation, and the ever-present threat of death.

For Tommy Shelby, the cap also serves as a personal symbol of his struggle with identity. Throughout the series, Tommy battles with the ghosts of his past, including the trauma he experienced during World War I. His constant wearing of the cap, even in moments of vulnerability, suggests a psychological armor—one that helps him maintain his tough, invincible exterior. The cap shields him not only from the physical elements of the world but also from the emotional elements that threaten to unravel him. It’s a mask that hides his true emotions and a tool that reinforces his leadership within the gang. But like all masks, it is ultimately unsustainable. As the series progresses, Tommy finds that he cannot hide from his inner demons forever.

The White Horse: A Harbinger of Death and Fate

Another key symbol in Peaky Blinders is the recurring image of a white horse. This symbol holds particular resonance for Tommy Shelby, who is often seen interacting with or observing white horses throughout the series. The most significant instance comes in the form of his prophetic visions, which often feature a white horse in the distance, signaling impending death and destruction.

The white horse is historically and culturally associated with death and fate. In Western mythology, the figure of the “White Rider” is often seen as a harbinger of death, particularly in the context of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. In the world of Peaky Blinders, the white horse serves as a visual metaphor for the inevitability of Tommy’s own death. As the leader of the Peaky Blinders, Tommy is constantly surrounded by danger, but the white horse serves as a reminder that death is never far behind, always lurking just around the corner.

For Tommy, the horse is also symbolic of his struggle with destiny. Throughout the series, he grapples with a sense of fatalism—a belief that he is trapped by the choices he made in the past and that he cannot escape the cycles of violence and loss that define his life. The white horse is a reminder that no matter how much power Tommy acquires, no matter how high he climbs in the criminal underworld, he is still subject to the whims of fate. Ultimately, it’s a reminder that even the most powerful men cannot outrun their inevitable demise.

The Revolver: The Weapon of Choice and Psychological Burden

The revolver, like the flat cap, is an object that is constantly associated with Tommy Shelby. It is the tool of his trade, the weapon with which he executes both physical and metaphorical power. Tommy’s use of the revolver is highly deliberate—he never fires it without purpose, and when he does, it often carries heavy psychological consequences.

For Tommy, the revolver is a symbol of control, but it is also a symbol of his inner turmoil. He uses the gun as a way to assert his dominance in situations where he feels threatened or vulnerable. It’s the tool by which he enforces the gang’s power and a constant reminder of the violence he is capable of. Yet, it’s also a weight that bears down on Tommy’s conscience. He is haunted by the people he has killed and the lives he has destroyed in the name of power. The revolver represents both his need to protect himself and his gang, and his inability to escape the violence that defines his existence.

In the series’ most memorable moments, Tommy’s revolver becomes a symbol of reckoning—a reminder that all of his actions have consequences, and that sometimes the greatest danger to a man comes from within. Tommy’s mental state, as much as his external environment, influences his decisions, and the revolver is a physical manifestation of that duality. The weight of the gun in his hand represents the moral burden he carries as a man who has lost his humanity in pursuit of power.

The Family: A Symbol of Loyalty, Betrayal, and the Cost of Power

At the heart of Peaky Blinders lies a story about family—specifically, the Shelby family. The Shelbys are bound by blood, loyalty, and a shared history, but they are also driven by ambition, personal conflict, and betrayal. Throughout the series, family becomes both a source of strength and a vulnerability for Tommy Shelby.

The relationship between Tommy and his brothers, particularly Arthur and John, is central to the show’s exploration of loyalty and betrayal. The Shelbys are fiercely protective of one another, but their bonds are tested by the ambitions and personal demons that each character carries. In the early seasons, Tommy is depicted as the leader who is always a step ahead, but as the series progresses, the cracks in his leadership and his relationships with his family members begin to show. The tension between the need for family loyalty and the desire for individual power creates an underlying tension that propels the narrative forward.

Tommy’s complex relationship with his wife, Grace Burgess, is another key element of this theme. Grace represents both love and betrayal, and her role in Tommy’s life shifts dramatically throughout the series. Their tumultuous relationship serves as a metaphor for the fragility of trust and loyalty, as well as the cost of ambition. For Tommy, the idea of family is intertwined with the harsh reality of his criminal empire—he cannot escape the darker aspects of his nature and his life, no matter how much he craves the comfort of love and security.

The Church and Religion: Morality and Redemption

Religion and the church also play a significant role in the symbolism of Peaky Blinders. While Tommy Shelby is not overtly religious, the church becomes a place where he confronts his own moral conflicts and searches for redemption. This is particularly evident in his interactions with Father Hughes and other religious figures, where he is forced to reconcile his actions with the teachings of Christianity. Tommy’s relationship with religion highlights the tension between his desire for power and his lingering hope for redemption—a theme that runs throughout the series.

The church represents a moral compass that Tommy both rejects and seeks. At times, he uses religion to justify his actions, and at other times, he rejects it altogether, seeing it as a hypocritical institution that is unable to provide solace for the broken men and women of his world. The church serves as a constant reminder that Tommy is always searching for something greater than himself, yet he is too far gone to truly find peace.

Conclusion: The Power of Symbolism in Peaky Blinders

Peaky Blinders is a show that transcends its genre, using symbolism to deepen its exploration of power, identity, and morality. Through objects like the flat cap, the white horse, and the revolver, as well as through themes of family, religion, and loyalty, the series crafts a world that is both brutal and beautiful, where characters are defined not just by their actions, but by the symbols that surround them.

Tommy Shelby, as portrayed by Cillian Murphy, is a man constantly at war with himself—caught between the brutal necessity of violence and his desire for redemption. The symbols of Peaky Blinders are not mere aesthetic flourishes; they are integral to understanding the psychological landscape of Tommy Shelby and his world. Each symbol serves as a reflection of his internal battles and his external struggles for power and survival.

By exploring these symbols, we gain a deeper understanding of the characters’ motivations and the forces that shape their fates. In a world defined by violence, ambition, and loss, Peaky Blinders reminds us that the true power of the story lies not just in the actions of the characters, but in the meanings behind the objects and symbols that define them.