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"Main" redirects.
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* When [[spoiler:Asuma]] dies in ''{{Naruto}}'', his girlfriend [[spoiler:Kurenai's]] teacup breaks.
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* When [[spoiler:Asuma]] dies in ''{{Naruto}}'', ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'', his girlfriend [[spoiler:Kurenai's]] teacup breaks.
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* When the Pope dies, his signet ring, the Ring of the Fisherman, is broken (in recent decades, it has been given deep scratches, but not totally destroyed). Originally this was a practical step to stop the ring being used to seal official documents, but it has persisted as a symbolic act even though the ring is no longer used this way.
to:
* When the Pope dies, his signet ring, the Ring of the Fisherman, is broken (in recent decades, it has been given deep scratches, but not totally destroyed). Originally this was a practical step to stop the ring being used to seal official documents, but it has persisted as a symbolic act even though the ring is no longer used this way.way.
* When a knight was stripped of his knighthood, this was done by symbolically destroying the symbols of his status. His spurs were cast away, his belt cut, his sword broken over his head, and he was declared "no longer knight, but knave."
* When a knight was stripped of his knighthood, this was done by symbolically destroying the symbols of his status. His spurs were cast away, his belt cut, his sword broken over his head, and he was declared "no longer knight, but knave."
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Added DiffLines:
[[quoteright:250:[[WesternAnimation/GravityFalls https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/symbolically_broken_object.png]]]]
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* Seen in the music video for Music/JohnnyCash's "Hurt", with the glass in the frame of his gold record for ''Live at Folsom Prison'' broken as if punched.
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examples moved to the move more specific Ripping Off The String Of Pearls
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[[AC: ComicBooks]]
* In ''ComicBook/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns'', the flashback to Martha Wayne's death shows her necklace breaking and the pearls scattering as she falls to the ground.
* In ''ComicBook/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns'', the flashback to Martha Wayne's death shows her necklace breaking and the pearls scattering as she falls to the ground.
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* ''Disney/{{Pocahontas}}'': As Kokoum is shot, he grasps at Pocahontas' necklace (which belonged to her mother) and it breaks off and falls to the floor in pieces, signifying how the shooting breaks relationships between the two sides and brings them to the brink of war.
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See also TatteredFlag, CrushTheKeepsake, EmpathyDollShot, and DeadHatShot
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See also TatteredFlag, CrushTheKeepsake, RippingOffTheStringOfPearls, EmpathyDollShot, and DeadHatShotDeadHatShot.
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* ''Disney/RalphBreaksTheInternet'': [[spoiler: After Vanellope learns that Ralph unleashed a virus into ''Slaughter Race'' out of jealousy, she declares they're not friends anymore and throws the "You're My Hero" medal she gave him into the depths of the Internet, and Ralph finds it broken in half when he goes down to retrieve it. By the end, it's still broken, but now Ralph and Vanellope wear each half as a reminder that they're still friends even though they're apart.]]
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* In the ''Fanfic/EmpathTheLuckiestSmurf'' story "Papa Smurf & Mama Smurfette", Tapper the village bartender keeps a broken picture of Smurfette on the wall as a symbol that even Smurfette's choice of marrying Papa Smurf has deeply affected him despite his initial reaction of just letting things be no matter how distasteful they may seem.
to:
* In the ''Fanfic/EmpathTheLuckiestSmurf'' story "Papa Smurf & Mama Smurfette", Tapper the village bartender keeps a broken picture of Smurfette on the wall of his tavern as a symbol that even Smurfette's choice of marrying Papa Smurf has even deeply affected him despite his initial reaction of just letting things be no matter how distasteful they may seem.
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* In the ''Fanfic/EmpathTheLuckiestSmurf'' story "Papa Smurf & Mama Smurfette", Tapper the village bartender keeps a broken picture of Smurfette on the wall as a symbol that even Smurfette's choice of marrying Papa Smurf has deeply affected him despite his initial reaction of just letting things be no matter how distasteful they may seem.
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[[AC: Films-Animated]]
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[[AC: Films-Animated]]Films--Animated]]
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[[AC: Films-Live-Action]]
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[[AC: Films-Live-Action]]Films--Live-Action]]
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* [[http://collider.com/wp-content/uploads/dark-knight-rises-catwoman-poster.jpg One poster]] for ''Film/TheDarkKnightRises'' shows Catwoman symbolically stepping on and breaking a Batarang with her heel.
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* According to TheOtherWiki, [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wand stage magicians break a wand when a magician dies]].
* Also according to TheOtherWiki, [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_funerals_in_the_United_Kingdom state funerals in the U.K.]] include a household official (such as the Lord Chamberlain), breaking a staff of office at the graveside to symbolize the end of service to the dead person.
* Also according to TheOtherWiki, [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_funerals_in_the_United_Kingdom state funerals in the U.K.]] include a household official (such as the Lord Chamberlain), breaking a staff of office at the graveside to symbolize the end of service to the dead person.
to:
* According to TheOtherWiki, Wiki/TheOtherWiki, [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wand stage magicians break a wand when a magician dies]].
* Also according toTheOtherWiki, Wiki/TheOtherWiki, [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_funerals_in_the_United_Kingdom state funerals in the U.K.]] include a household official (such as the Lord Chamberlain), breaking a staff of office at the graveside to symbolize the end of service to the dead person.
* Also according to
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* Also according to TheOtherWiki, [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_funerals_in_the_United_Kingdom state funerals in the U.K.]] include a household official (such as the Lord Chamberlain), breaking a staff of office at the graveside to symbolize the end of service to the dead person.
to:
* Also according to TheOtherWiki, [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_funerals_in_the_United_Kingdom state funerals in the U.K.]] include a household official (such as the Lord Chamberlain), breaking a staff of office at the graveside to symbolize the end of service to the dead person.person.
* When the Pope dies, his signet ring, the Ring of the Fisherman, is broken (in recent decades, it has been given deep scratches, but not totally destroyed). Originally this was a practical step to stop the ring being used to seal official documents, but it has persisted as a symbolic act even though the ring is no longer used this way.
* When the Pope dies, his signet ring, the Ring of the Fisherman, is broken (in recent decades, it has been given deep scratches, but not totally destroyed). Originally this was a practical step to stop the ring being used to seal official documents, but it has persisted as a symbolic act even though the ring is no longer used this way.
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titles of sacred texts are not italicized
Changed line(s) 45,47 (click to see context) from:
* ''Literature/TheBible'':
** ''Literature/BookOfExodus'': Moses spends a great amount of time in the mountains getting God's rules for the Israelites to adhere to. Bored of waiting, the Israelites creating golden idols to worship, hoping to get insight from their new pagan gods. When Moses returns bearing the two heavy stone tablets inscribed with the commandments, he is appalled to find the Israelites drunkenly celebrating their golden idol and smashes the tablets in outrage.
** ''Literature/TheFourGospels'': When Jesus dies during his crucifixion, the veils in the temples that separate the priests from their parishioners tore from top to bottom, symbolizing that the priests were no longer the only ones who could pray to God.
** ''Literature/BookOfExodus'': Moses spends a great amount of time in the mountains getting God's rules for the Israelites to adhere to. Bored of waiting, the Israelites creating golden idols to worship, hoping to get insight from their new pagan gods. When Moses returns bearing the two heavy stone tablets inscribed with the commandments, he is appalled to find the Israelites drunkenly celebrating their golden idol and smashes the tablets in outrage.
** ''Literature/TheFourGospels'': When Jesus dies during his crucifixion, the veils in the temples that separate the priests from their parishioners tore from top to bottom, symbolizing that the priests were no longer the only ones who could pray to God.
to:
* ''Literature/TheBible'':
Literature/TheBible:
**''Literature/BookOfExodus'': Literature/BookOfExodus: Moses spends a great amount of time in the mountains getting God's rules for the Israelites to adhere to. Bored of waiting, the Israelites creating golden idols to worship, hoping to get insight from their new pagan gods. When Moses returns bearing the two heavy stone tablets inscribed with the commandments, he is appalled to find the Israelites drunkenly celebrating their golden idol and smashes the tablets in outrage.
**''Literature/TheFourGospels'': Literature/TheFourGospels: When Jesus dies during his crucifixion, the veils in the temples that separate the priests from their parishioners tore from top to bottom, symbolizing that the priests were no longer the only ones who could pray to God.
**
**
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* In the first ''Literature/WarriorCats'' book, upon first joining [=ThunderClan=], kittypet (house cat) Rusty's collar breaks in a fight against Longtail, who had been loudly taunting him about his origins. This is taken as an omen that their ancestors, [=StarClan=], approve of him joining the Clan, and represent that he's left his old life behind.
to:
* In the first ''Literature/WarriorCats'' book, upon first joining [=ThunderClan=], kittypet (house cat) Rusty's collar breaks in a fight against Longtail, who had been loudly taunting him about his origins. This is taken as an omen that their ancestors, [=StarClan=], approve of him joining the Clan, and represent represents that he's left his old life behind.
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Changed line(s) 59 (click to see context) from:
to:
* In the first ''Literature/WarriorCats'' book, upon first joining [=ThunderClan=], kittypet (house cat) Rusty's collar breaks in a fight against Longtail, who had been loudly taunting him about his origins. This is taken as an omen that their ancestors, [=StarClan=], approve of him joining the Clan, and represent that he's left his old life behind.
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links, punctuation, removed some irrelevant potholes, this is not the page for listing Tear Jerkers
Changed line(s) 23,24 (click to see context) from:
* In ''Manga/{{Nana}}'', the breaking of the strawberry glasses represents the breaking of contact [[spoiler: between Nana K and Nana O]]
* When [[spoiler: Asuma]] dies in ''{{Naruto}}'', his girlfriend [[spoiler: Kurenai's]] teacup breaks.
* When [[spoiler: Asuma]] dies in ''{{Naruto}}'', his girlfriend [[spoiler: Kurenai's]] teacup breaks.
to:
* In ''Manga/{{Nana}}'', the breaking of the strawberry glasses represents the breaking of contact [[spoiler: between [[spoiler:between Nana K and Nana O]]
* When[[spoiler: Asuma]] [[spoiler:Asuma]] dies in ''{{Naruto}}'', his girlfriend [[spoiler: Kurenai's]] [[spoiler:Kurenai's]] teacup breaks.
* When
Changed line(s) 46,47 (click to see context) from:
** Moses spends a great amount of time in the mountains getting God's rules for the Israelites to adhere to. Bored of waiting, the Israelites creating golden idols to worship, hoping to get insight from their new pagan gods. When Moses returns bearing the two heavy stone tablets inscribed with the commandments, he is appalled to find the Israelites drunkenly celebrating their golden idol and smashes the tablets in outrage.
** When Jesus dies during his crucifixion, the veils in the temples that separate the priests from their parishioners tore from top to bottom, symbolizing that the priests were no longer the only ones who could pray to God.
** When Jesus dies during his crucifixion, the veils in the temples that separate the priests from their parishioners tore from top to bottom, symbolizing that the priests were no longer the only ones who could pray to God.
to:
** ''Literature/BookOfExodus'': Moses spends a great amount of time in the mountains getting God's rules for the Israelites to adhere to. Bored of waiting, the Israelites creating golden idols to worship, hoping to get insight from their new pagan gods. When Moses returns bearing the two heavy stone tablets inscribed with the commandments, he is appalled to find the Israelites drunkenly celebrating their golden idol and smashes the tablets in outrage.
** ''Literature/TheFourGospels'': When Jesus dies during his crucifixion, the veils in the temples that separate the priests from their parishioners tore from top to bottom, symbolizing that the priests were no longer the only ones who could pray to God.
** ''Literature/TheFourGospels'': When Jesus dies during his crucifixion, the veils in the temples that separate the priests from their parishioners tore from top to bottom, symbolizing that the priests were no longer the only ones who could pray to God.
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* ''[[Literature/EarthsChildren Clan of the Cave Bear]]'': Mog-ur has a vision of the Clan dying out and the Others taking over the world. When Ayla accidentally breaks the ceremonial bowl Iza uses to prepare one of her potions, Mog-ur sees it as a sign that his vision will come true
* ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix'': Sirius gives Harry a magic mirror that will allow them to communicate. Harry tries using it after [[spoiler: Sirius' death]] but it doesn't work, so he throws it in his trunk and it smashes. It later becomes a ChekhovsBoomerang.
* In Tennyson's ''The Lady of Shallot'', the eponymous Lady imprisoned in a tower knows her death is near, when:
--> Out flew the web and floated wideâ€Â
--> [[Creator/AgathaChristie The mirror crack'd from side to side]];
* When Aslan returns from the dead in ''TheLionTheWitchAndTheWardrobe'' the Stone Table splits in half.
* ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix'': Sirius gives Harry a magic mirror that will allow them to communicate. Harry tries using it after [[spoiler: Sirius' death]] but it doesn't work, so he throws it in his trunk and it smashes. It later becomes a ChekhovsBoomerang.
* In Tennyson's ''The Lady of Shallot'', the eponymous Lady imprisoned in a tower knows her death is near, when:
--> Out flew the web and floated wideâ€Â
--> [[Creator/AgathaChristie The mirror crack'd from side to side]];
* When Aslan returns from the dead in ''TheLionTheWitchAndTheWardrobe'' the Stone Table splits in half.
to:
* ''[[Literature/EarthsChildren Clan of the Cave Bear]]'': Mog-ur has a vision of the Clan dying out and the Others taking over the world. When Ayla accidentally breaks the ceremonial bowl Iza uses to prepare one of her potions, Mog-ur sees it as a sign that his vision will come true
true.
* ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix'': Sirius gives Harry a magic mirror that will allow them to communicate. Harry tries using it after[[spoiler: Sirius' [[spoiler:Sirius' death]] but it doesn't work, so he throws it in his trunk and it smashes. It later becomes a ChekhovsBoomerang.
* InTennyson's Creator/AlfredLordTennyson's ''The Lady of Shallot'', the eponymous Lady imprisoned in a tower knows her death is near, when:
--> Out flew the web and floatedwideâ€Â
--> [[Creator/AgathaChristiewide--\\
The mirror crack'd from side toside]];
side
* When Aslan returns from the dead in''TheLionTheWitchAndTheWardrobe'' ''Literature/TheLionTheWitchAndTheWardrobe'' the Stone Table splits in half.
* ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix'': Sirius gives Harry a magic mirror that will allow them to communicate. Harry tries using it after
* In
--> Out flew the web and floated
--> [[Creator/AgathaChristie
The mirror crack'd from side to
* When Aslan returns from the dead in
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* In TadWilliams's ''Literature/TheWarOfTheFlowers'', Mud [[spoiler:Bug]] Button shows up on television and breaks a small stick. The goblin underclass of TheCity immediately begin rioting and revolting against their Faerie overlords because that stick was the physical manifestation of the treaty that kept them in subjugation.
to:
* In TadWilliams's Creator/TadWilliams's ''Literature/TheWarOfTheFlowers'', Mud [[spoiler:Bug]] Button shows up on television and breaks a small stick. The goblin underclass of TheCity immediately begin rioting and revolting against their Faerie overlords because that stick was the physical manifestation of the treaty that kept them in subjugation.
Changed line(s) 62 (click to see context) from:
** When [[AlasPoorScrappy Adric]] dies in the ''DoctorWho'' serial ''Earthshock'', the Doctor has to use his star badge to kill a Cyberman, destroying it in the process. [[TearJerker Then they run the]] SilentCredits [[TearJerker over the image of the broken star.]]
to:
** When [[AlasPoorScrappy Adric]] Adric dies in the ''DoctorWho'' serial ''Earthshock'', the Doctor has to use his star badge to kill a Cyberman, destroying it in the process. [[TearJerker Then they run the]] the SilentCredits [[TearJerker over the image of the broken star.]]
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* In the SeriesFinale of ''Series/{{Friends}}'', the replacement chick and duck Chandler bought for Joey get trapped inside Joey's foosball table. Joey and Chandler can't bring themselves to destroy the table, so Monica does. Given that [[spoiler: Chandler is Joey's best friend and is moving to the suburbs with Monica, breaking up the close circuit of the six characters' lives]], it's pretty symbolic.
to:
* In the SeriesFinale of ''Series/{{Friends}}'', the replacement chick and duck Chandler bought for Joey get trapped inside Joey's foosball table. Joey and Chandler can't bring themselves to destroy the table, so Monica does. Given that [[spoiler: Chandler [[spoiler:Chandler is Joey's best friend and is moving to the suburbs with Monica, breaking up the close circuit of the six characters' lives]], it's pretty symbolic.
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* In the Blink182 video for "Always", this happens to a vase of gladioli at the beginning of the video, symbolising the broken relationship between the guy(s) and the girl.
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* In the Blink182 Music/Blink182 video for "Always", this happens to a vase of gladioli at the beginning of the video, symbolising the broken relationship between the guy(s) and the girl.
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* In ''Theatre/TheGlassMenagerie'', one of [[spoiler: Laura's glass animal figurines is broken by her "Gentleman Caller". The figure is a unicorn. Its horn breaks off, making it "just like all the other horses". It's symbolic of Laura herself, who is fragile and special and no one understands her.]]
to:
* In ''Theatre/TheGlassMenagerie'', one of [[spoiler: Laura's [[spoiler:Laura's glass animal figurines is broken by her "Gentleman Caller". The figure is a unicorn. Its horn breaks off, making it "just like all the other horses". It's symbolic of Laura herself, who is fragile and special and no one understands her.]]
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* In ''WesternAnimation/WanderOverYonder'', [[spoiler: Dominator destroying a heart-shaped planet represents breaking Hater's heart.]]
to:
* In ''WesternAnimation/WanderOverYonder'', [[spoiler: Dominator [[spoiler:Dominator destroying a heart-shaped planet represents breaking Hater's heart.]]
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* In ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'', Saruman's staff is broken after his expulsion from the Order of Wizards and White Council.
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* In ''MortalKombat 9'', the cracked amulet represents Armageddon: the further it's cracked, the closer it is.
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* In ''MortalKombat 9'', ''VideoGame/MortalKombat9'', the cracked amulet represents Armageddon: the further it's cracked, the closer it is.
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Changed line(s) 83 (click to see context) from:
* In ''MortalKombat 9'' the cracked amulet represents Armageddon: the further it's cracked, the closer it is.
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* In ''MortalKombat 9'' 9'', the cracked amulet represents Armageddon: the further it's cracked, the closer it is.
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Changed line(s) 23 (click to see context) from:
* In ''{{Nana}}'', the breaking of the strawberry glasses represents the breaking of contact [[spoiler: between Nana K and Nana O]]
to:
* In ''{{Nana}}'', ''Manga/{{Nana}}'', the breaking of the strawberry glasses represents the breaking of contact [[spoiler: between Nana K and Nana O]]
Changed line(s) 33,34 (click to see context) from:
* In the ''TheMagicSchoolBus'' FanFic ''FanFic/TheLifeAndTimesOfTheFantasmicFour'', just before she leaves Texas for university in North Carolina, Phoebe breaks the head off a toy dinosaur that her ex-boyfriend Arnold had given her in a NoodleIncident years before (later depicted in ''FanFic/TheBestChrismukkahEver'') because she's upset that their relationship is over and that she ended it despite the fact that they both still loved each other.
to:
* In the ''TheMagicSchoolBus'' FanFic ''Literature/TheMagicSchoolBus'' fanfic ''FanFic/TheLifeAndTimesOfTheFantasmicFour'', just before she leaves Texas for university in North Carolina, Phoebe breaks the head off a toy dinosaur that her ex-boyfriend Arnold had given her in a NoodleIncident years before (later depicted in ''FanFic/TheBestChrismukkahEver'') because she's upset that their relationship is over and that she ended it despite the fact that they both still loved each other.
Changed line(s) 37 (click to see context) from:
* ''Film/{{Pocahontas}}'': As Kokoum is shot, he grasps at Pocahontas' necklace (which belonged to her mother) and it breaks off and falls to the floor in pieces, signifying how the shooting breaks relationships between the two sides and brings them to the brink of war.
to:
* ''Film/{{Pocahontas}}'': ''Disney/{{Pocahontas}}'': As Kokoum is shot, he grasps at Pocahontas' necklace (which belonged to her mother) and it breaks off and falls to the floor in pieces, signifying how the shooting breaks relationships between the two sides and brings them to the brink of war.
Changed line(s) 50 (click to see context) from:
* ''HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix'': Sirius gives Harry a magic mirror that will allow them to communicate. Harry tries using it after [[spoiler: Sirius' death]] but it doesn't work, so he throws it in his trunk and it smashes. It later becomes a ChekhovsBoomerang.
to:
* ''HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix'': ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix'': Sirius gives Harry a magic mirror that will allow them to communicate. Harry tries using it after [[spoiler: Sirius' death]] but it doesn't work, so he throws it in his trunk and it smashes. It later becomes a ChekhovsBoomerang.
Changed line(s) 64 (click to see context) from:
* An episode of ''SexAndTheCity'' had an episode where Samantha gets her boyfriend a framed painting of a heart. His reluctance to hang it on his wall symbolises his inability to give her the commitment she wants, and later he smashes it... having broken her heart.
to:
* An episode of ''SexAndTheCity'' ''Series/SexAndTheCity'' had an episode where Samantha gets her boyfriend a framed painting of a heart. His reluctance to hang it on his wall symbolises his inability to give her the commitment she wants, and later he smashes it... having broken her heart.
Deleted line(s) 72,75 (click to see context) :
[[AC: RealLife]]
* According to TheOtherWiki, [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wand stage magicians break a wand when a magician dies]].
* Also according to TheOtherWiki, [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_funerals_in_the_United_Kingdom state funerals in the U.K.]] include a household official (such as the Lord Chamberlain), breaking a staff of office at the graveside to symbolize the end of service to the dead person.
* According to TheOtherWiki, [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wand stage magicians break a wand when a magician dies]].
* Also according to TheOtherWiki, [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_funerals_in_the_United_Kingdom state funerals in the U.K.]] include a household official (such as the Lord Chamberlain), breaking a staff of office at the graveside to symbolize the end of service to the dead person.
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* In ''TheGlassMenagerie'', one of [[spoiler: Laura's glass animal figurines is broken by her "Gentleman Caller". The figure is a unicorn. Its horn breaks off, making it "just like all the other horses". It's symbolic of Laura herself, who is fragile and special and no one understands her.]]
* In ''The Platform'' Kyle destroys the dream catcher that Agatha has been playing with. Not only does it call her, it symbolizes that the guilt she has carried, thinking she killed her son, has also been destroyed.
* In ''The Platform'' Kyle destroys the dream catcher that Agatha has been playing with. Not only does it call her, it symbolizes that the guilt she has carried, thinking she killed her son, has also been destroyed.
to:
* In ''TheGlassMenagerie'', ''Theatre/TheGlassMenagerie'', one of [[spoiler: Laura's glass animal figurines is broken by her "Gentleman Caller". The figure is a unicorn. Its horn breaks off, making it "just like all the other horses". It's symbolic of Laura herself, who is fragile and special and no one understands her.]]
* In ''ThePlatform'' Platform'', Kyle destroys the dream catcher that Agatha has been playing with. Not only does it call her, it symbolizes that the guilt she has carried, thinking she killed her son, has also been destroyed.
* In ''The
Changed line(s) 92 (click to see context) from:
* In ''WesternAnimation/WanderOverYonder'', [[spoiler: Dominator destroying a heart-shaped planet represents breaking Hater's heart.]]
to:
* In ''WesternAnimation/WanderOverYonder'', [[spoiler: Dominator destroying a heart-shaped planet represents breaking Hater's heart.]]]]
[[AC: RealLife]]
* According to TheOtherWiki, [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wand stage magicians break a wand when a magician dies]].
* Also according to TheOtherWiki, [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_funerals_in_the_United_Kingdom state funerals in the U.K.]] include a household official (such as the Lord Chamberlain), breaking a staff of office at the graveside to symbolize the end of service to the dead person.
[[AC: RealLife]]
* According to TheOtherWiki, [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wand stage magicians break a wand when a magician dies]].
* Also according to TheOtherWiki, [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_funerals_in_the_United_Kingdom state funerals in the U.K.]] include a household official (such as the Lord Chamberlain), breaking a staff of office at the graveside to symbolize the end of service to the dead person.
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Changed line(s) 82,83 (click to see context) from:
* ''{{BIONICLE}}'': The ''Bohrok Online Animations'' begins with a storm over the Mata Nui rock, after which the rock shatters, representing the Bohrok coming to "cleanse" the island of Mata Nui.
to:
* ''{{BIONICLE}}'': ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}'': The ''Bohrok Online Animations'' begins with a storm over the Mata Nui rock, after which the rock shatters, representing the Bohrok coming to "cleanse" the island of Mata Nui.
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Changed line(s) 92 (click to see context) from:
* In WesternAnimation/WanderOverYonder, [[spoiler: Dominator destroying a heart-shaped planet represents breaking Hater's heart.]]
to:
* In WesternAnimation/WanderOverYonder, ''WesternAnimation/WanderOverYonder'', [[spoiler: Dominator destroying a heart-shaped planet represents breaking Hater's heart.]]
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* In ''VideoGames/TheKingOfFighters'', after Rugal (his nemesis) is confirmed dead, Col. Heidern feels that he can finally move on with his life and he chooses to rip his family photo (Rugal murdered his family back then).
to:
* In ''VideoGames/TheKingOfFighters'', ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters'', after Rugal (his nemesis) is confirmed dead, Col. Heidern feels that he can finally move on with his life and he chooses to rip his family photo (Rugal murdered his family back then).
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* ''VideoGames/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'': After Midna [[spoiler:uses the Fused Shadows to fight Ganon one-on-one]], the scene cuts to Hyrule Field where she'd teleported Link and Zelda. After a massive explosion shakes the castle, Ganon appears on horseback, holding the Fused Shadow Midna had been wearing as a hat... and crushes it. Cue the last two phases of the final boss fight.
to:
* ''VideoGames/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'': ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'': After Midna [[spoiler:uses the Fused Shadows to fight Ganon one-on-one]], the scene cuts to Hyrule Field where she'd teleported Link and Zelda. After a massive explosion shakes the castle, Ganon appears on horseback, holding the Fused Shadow Midna had been wearing as a hat... and crushes it. Cue the last two phases of the final boss fight.
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* ''VideoGames/TwilightPrincess'': After Midna [[spoiler:uses the Fused Shadows to fight Ganon one-on-one]], the scene cuts to Hyrule Field where she'd teleported Link and Zelda. After a massive explosion shakes the castle, Ganon appears on horseback, holding the Fused Shadow Midna had been wearing as a hat... and crushes it. Cue the last two phases of the final boss fight.
to:
* ''VideoGames/TwilightPrincess'': ''VideoGames/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'': After Midna [[spoiler:uses the Fused Shadows to fight Ganon one-on-one]], the scene cuts to Hyrule Field where she'd teleported Link and Zelda. After a massive explosion shakes the castle, Ganon appears on horseback, holding the Fused Shadow Midna had been wearing as a hat... and crushes it. Cue the last two phases of the final boss fight.
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* Anime/{{Pokemon}}: Part of the way a Stoutland's death in S M 021 is shown is its furniture breaking apart.
to:
* Anime/{{Pokemon}}: ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'': Part of the way a Stoutland's death in S M 021 is shown is its furniture breaking apart.
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* Happens twice in ''{{Brave}}'': the tapestry Merida slices in anger explicitly represents the broken bond between her and her mother. Later, we see a carving of the four princes that has been similarly broken.
to:
* Happens twice in ''{{Brave}}'': ''WesternAnimation/{{Brave}}'': the tapestry Merida slices in anger explicitly represents the broken bond between her and her mother. mother, the cut going between depictions of the two. Later, we see a carving of the four princes that has been similarly broken.broken, after one of them, seeking greater power, [[spoiler:got turned into the demon bear Mor'du]].
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* At the beginning of ''WesternAnimation/GulliversTravels'', The kings of Lilliput and Blefuscu are celebrating the upcoming wedding between their respective children, which would unite the two kingdoms. An argument over which nation's anthem should play at the ceremony results in King Bombo of Blefuscu declaring war, and to drive the point home, he smashes the wedding cake, knocking down the cake toppers representing the prince and princess.
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* In WesternAnimation/WanderOverYonder, [[spoiler: Dominator destroying a heart-shaped planet represents breaking Hater's heart.]]
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Indices: {{Symbolism}}, BreakingAndDestructionTropes
----
Indices: {{Symbolism}}, BreakingAndDestructionTropes
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* In WesternAnimation/WanderOverYonder, [[spoiler: Dominator destroying a heart-shaped planet represents breaking Hater's heart.]]
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Indices: {{Symbolism}}, BreakingAndDestructionTropes]]
----
Indices: {{Symbolism}}, BreakingAndDestructionTropes
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Grabbed by AndreaTX, Rolling Updates in Progress
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Grabbed by AndreaTX, Rolling Updates in Progress
Something has been broken. It may be a spell, a relationship, a life. Whatever it is, it was important, and now it's been destroyed.
And so has something else.
An excellent way for a writer to demonstrate the destruction of something intangible is to break something tangible. The broken object could be anything, but the symbolism is usually obvious. When Bob and Alice break up, a picture of the two of them is destroyed. When Charlie dies, his prized possession is smashed to bits. When the BigBad is defeated, [[LoadBearingBoss his stronghold falls apart]].
The extent of the damage to the Symbolically Broken Object frequently indicates the extent of the damage to the thing it symbolizes. If the object has been destroyed beyond repair, there's a good chance that the same is true of whatever else was broken. If the object can be repaired, so can the thing it smbolizes.
Frequently overlaps with LoadBearingBoss, InsigniaRipOffRitual, and WreckedWeapon. Supertrope to BreakUpBonfire and LetThePastBurn. SisterTrope to DyingCandle
Compare RealityChangingMiniature when one can make the change intentionally with an object that's meant as a representative of a bigger thing, DyingForSymbolism where a living person represents an ideal, and SmashTheSymbol where a character intentionally destroys something that symbolizes an ideal for another character.
Contrast ItsAllJunk where nothing means anything.
See also TatteredFlag, CrushTheKeepsake, EmpathyDollShot, and DeadHatShot
!!Examples
[[AC: Anime and Manga]]
* In a picture drama of ''Anime/CodeGeass'' after Nuannally reminisce about a plate that she, Lelouch and Euphemia looked at, Euphemia is heard on the radio, suddenly the radio is cut off and after that, the plate drops and breaks on the floor.
*''Anime/{{Macross}}'': the protagonist is sitting in hospital amusing himself with a miniature biplane, when told his friend/squadron leader is dead. Cue dramatic slow-mo shot of the biplane falling to the floor and breaking.
* Fate's HeroicBSOD in ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha'' is marked by [[WreckedWeapon her weapon shattering]] after [[DramaticDrop she drops it]]. In turn, it's repaired when she recovers.
* In ''{{Nana}}'', the breaking of the strawberry glasses represents the breaking of contact [[spoiler: between Nana K and Nana O]]
* When [[spoiler: Asuma]] dies in ''{{Naruto}}'', his girlfriend [[spoiler: Kurenai's]] teacup breaks.
* ''Manga/OnePiece'' invokes this with the Vivre Card, a piece of paper linked to the condition of its owner/creator. It burns and dwindles if that person is weak or in danger, and returns to normal when he's healthy. When a character with a Vivre Card is KilledOffForReal, it's symbolized by the Vivre Card burning into nothing.
* Anime/{{Pokemon}}: Part of the way a Stoutland's death in S M 021 is shown is its furniture breaking apart.
*In ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'', [[spoiler:both Mami's teacup and saucer shatter and are further shown covered in blood, symbolizing her gruesome death by the witch Charlotte]]
[[AC: ComicBooks]]
* In ''ComicBook/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns'', the flashback to Martha Wayne's death shows her necklace breaking and the pearls scattering as she falls to the ground.
[[AC:FanFiction]]
*In the ''TheMagicSchoolBus'' FanFic ''FanFic/TheLifeAndTimesOfTheFantasmicFour'', just before she leaves Texas for university in North Carolina, Phoebe breaks the head off a toy dinosaur that her ex-boyfriend Arnold had given her in a NoodleIncident years before (later depicted in ''FanFic/TheBestChrismukkahEver'') because she's upset that their relationship is over and that she ended it despite the fact that they both still loved each other.
[[AC: Films-Animated]]
* Happens twice in ''{{Brave}}'': the tapestry Merida slices in anger explicitly represents the broken bond between her and her mother. Later, we see a carving of the four princes that has been similarly broken.
*''Film/{{Pocahontas}}'': As Kokoum is shot, he grasps at Pocahontas' necklace (which belonged to her mother) and it breaks off and falls to the floor in pieces, signifying how the shooting breaks relationships between the two sides and brings them to the brink of war.
* Disney's adaptation of Creator/EdgarRiceBurroughs' ''Disney/{{Tarzan}}'' has Kala the ape lead Tarzan to the treehouse where Tarzan was found as an infant. On the floor, Tarzan finds a photograph in a broken frame with cracked glass of three humans: himself as an infant, his father and his mother. The vicious leopard Sabor had killed Tarzan's parents, leaving only himself for Kala to rescue and adopt.
[[AC: Films-Live-Action]]
* In ''TheParentTrap'', both girls have half of a ripped picture of their divorced parents.
[[AC: Literature]]
* ''Literature/TheBible'':
**Moses spends a great amount of time in the mountains getting God's rules for the Israelites to adhere to. Bored of waiting, the Israelites creating golden idols to worship, hoping to get insight from their new pagan gods. When Moses returns bearing the two heavy stone tablets inscribed with the commandments, he is appalled to find the Israelites drunkenly celebrating their golden idol and smashes the tablets in outrage.
**When Jesus dies during his crucifixion, the veils in the temples that separate the priests from their parishioners tore from top to bottom, symbolizing that the priests were no longer the only ones who could pray to God.
* In Terry Pratchett's ''Literature/CarpeJugulum'', Granny Weatherwax vacates her cottage, leaving everything neatly arranged by threes. Where she has a surplus fourth plate, it is broken and in the bin. Nanny Ogg works out that this is her way of telling the other witches the original three is no more - Granny is represented by the broken plate, whose time is past. The remaining witches have to form a new symbolic triad - Nanny Ogg as the Crone, Magrat Garlick as the Mother, Agnes Nitt as the Maiden.
* ''[[Literature/EarthsChildren Clan of the Cave Bear]]'': Mog-ur has a vision of the Clan dying out and the Others taking over the world. When Ayla accidentally breaks the ceremonial bowl Iza uses to prepare one of her potions, Mog-ur sees it as a sign that his vision will come true
*''HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix'': Sirius gives Harry a magic mirror that will allow them to communicate. Harry tries using it after [[spoiler: Sirius' death]] but it doesn't work, so he throws it in his trunk and it smashes. It later becomes a ChekhovsBoomerang.
* In Tennyson's ''The Lady of Shallot'', the eponymous Lady imprisoned in a tower knows her death is near, when:
--> Out flew the web and floated wideâ€Â
--> [[Creator/AgathaChristie The mirror crack'd from side to side]];
* When Aslan returns from the dead in ''TheLionTheWitchAndTheWardrobe'' the Stone Table splits in half.
*In ''Literature/LordOfTheFlies'', the destruction of the conch shell symbolizes the breakdown of civilization.
*In ''[[Literature/{{Safehold}} How Firm a Foundation]]'', Sailys Trahskhat's lucky baseball bat earned that status because it's the one bat that never broke during a game. When he has to go BatterUp on three armed rioters threatening to rape and murder his family, he wins the fight but his lucky bat breaks in the process. That fight was the point when Trahskhat changed from a Temple Loyalist exile to a Reformist soldier.
* In TadWilliams's ''Literature/TheWarOfTheFlowers'', Mud [[spoiler:Bug]] Button shows up on television and breaks a small stick. The goblin underclass of TheCity immediately begin rioting and revolting against their Faerie overlords because that stick was the physical manifestation of the treaty that kept them in subjugation.
[[AC: Live Action TV]]
* ''Series/DoctorWho'':
**When [[AlasPoorScrappy Adric]] dies in the ''DoctorWho'' serial ''Earthshock'', the Doctor has to use his star badge to kill a Cyberman, destroying it in the process. [[TearJerker Then they run the]] SilentCredits [[TearJerker over the image of the broken star.]]
** In the episode "Father's Day", when Rose's father is hit by a car we don't see him hit but rather see the vase he's carrying fall to the ground and break. When Rose saves him, the vase falls but does ''not'' break.
*In the SeriesFinale of ''Series/{{Friends}}'', the replacement chick and duck Chandler bought for Joey get trapped inside Joey's foosball table. Joey and Chandler can't bring themselves to destroy the table, so Monica does. Given that [[spoiler: Chandler is Joey's best friend and is moving to the suburbs with Monica, breaking up the close circuit of the six characters' lives]], it's pretty symbolic.
* An episode of ''SexAndTheCity'' had an episode where Samantha gets her boyfriend a framed painting of a heart. His reluctance to hang it on his wall symbolises his inability to give her the commitment she wants, and later he smashes it... having broken her heart.
*''Series/{{Supernatural}}'':
**A really bad car wreck leaves Dean comatose and not expected to live. After seeing the Winchesters' badly damaged Impala, Bobby suggests scrapping the car. Sam goes on an emotional, not-at-all subtle rant that if there is even one salvageable piece of the car, he won't give up on it.
**After John's death, Dean is working to repair the Impala but can't quite get the car to work like it should. After insisting that he was fine all episode, Dean wails on the car with a crowbar. Anyone who watches the show knows how [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness out of character]] this is for Dean, but it perfectly represents how helpless and destroyed he feels following his father's death.
[[AC: Music]]
*In the Blink182 video for "Always", this happens to a vase of gladioli at the beginning of the video, symbolising the broken relationship between the guy(s) and the girl.
[[AC: RealLife]]
*According to TheOtherWiki, [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wand stage magicians break a wand when a magician dies]].
*Also according to TheOtherWiki, [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_funerals_in_the_United_Kingdom state funerals in the U.K.]] include a household official (such as the Lord Chamberlain), breaking a staff of office at the graveside to symbolize the end of service to the dead person.
[[AC: Theater]]
* In ''TheGlassMenagerie'', one of [[spoiler: Laura's glass animal figurines is broken by her "Gentleman Caller". The figure is a unicorn. Its horn breaks off, making it "just like all the other horses". It's symbolic of Laura herself, who is fragile and special and no one understands her.]]
*In ''The Platform'' Kyle destroys the dream catcher that Agatha has been playing with. Not only does it call her, it symbolizes that the guilt she has carried, thinking she killed her son, has also been destroyed.
* In ''Theatre/SummerOfTheSeventeenthDoll'', the doll that Roo gives Olive at the beginning gets broken near the end, in the same scene that sees the irretrievable breakdown of Roo and Olive's relationship.
[[AC: Toys]]
* ''{{BIONICLE}}'': The ''Bohrok Online Animations'' begins with a storm over the Mata Nui rock, after which the rock shatters, representing the Bohrok coming to "cleanse" the island of Mata Nui.
[[AC: VideoGames]]
*In ''VideoGame/{{Halo 4}}'', Master Chief and his rapidly-deteriorating AI Cortana work together to destroy the BigBad's starship. They succeed in the end, [[spoiler:but it takes the last of Cortana's strength to save Chief, even though he was adamant she'd be cured soon. As she vanishes, the starship is seen falling to pieces behind him, representative of his shattered worldview.]]
* In ''VideoGames/TheKingOfFighters'', after Rugal (his nemesis) is confirmed dead, Col. Heidern feels that he can finally move on with his life and he chooses to rip his family photo (Rugal murdered his family back then).
* In ''MortalKombat 9'' the cracked amulet represents Armageddon: the further it's cracked, the closer it is.
* ''VideoGames/TwilightPrincess'': After Midna [[spoiler:uses the Fused Shadows to fight Ganon one-on-one]], the scene cuts to Hyrule Field where she'd teleported Link and Zelda. After a massive explosion shakes the castle, Ganon appears on horseback, holding the Fused Shadow Midna had been wearing as a hat... and crushes it. Cue the last two phases of the final boss fight.
[[AC: WesternAnimation]]
*''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'': Mabel rips up a photo with her, Candy and Grenda in the episode "Boyz Crazy" after temporary breaking up with them. In the next episodes where the photo is shown, it is fixed.
*In WesternAnimation/WanderOverYonder, [[spoiler: Dominator destroying a heart-shaped planet represents breaking Hater's heart.]]
----
Indices: {{Symbolism}}, BreakingAndDestructionTropes
Something has been broken. It may be a spell, a relationship, a life. Whatever it is, it was important, and now it's been destroyed.
And so has something else.
An excellent way for a writer to demonstrate the destruction of something intangible is to break something tangible. The broken object could be anything, but the symbolism is usually obvious. When Bob and Alice break up, a picture of the two of them is destroyed. When Charlie dies, his prized possession is smashed to bits. When the BigBad is defeated, [[LoadBearingBoss his stronghold falls apart]].
The extent of the damage to the Symbolically Broken Object frequently indicates the extent of the damage to the thing it symbolizes. If the object has been destroyed beyond repair, there's a good chance that the same is true of whatever else was broken. If the object can be repaired, so can the thing it smbolizes.
Frequently overlaps with LoadBearingBoss, InsigniaRipOffRitual, and WreckedWeapon. Supertrope to BreakUpBonfire and LetThePastBurn. SisterTrope to DyingCandle
Compare RealityChangingMiniature when one can make the change intentionally with an object that's meant as a representative of a bigger thing, DyingForSymbolism where a living person represents an ideal, and SmashTheSymbol where a character intentionally destroys something that symbolizes an ideal for another character.
Contrast ItsAllJunk where nothing means anything.
See also TatteredFlag, CrushTheKeepsake, EmpathyDollShot, and DeadHatShot
!!Examples
[[AC: Anime and Manga]]
* In a picture drama of ''Anime/CodeGeass'' after Nuannally reminisce about a plate that she, Lelouch and Euphemia looked at, Euphemia is heard on the radio, suddenly the radio is cut off and after that, the plate drops and breaks on the floor.
*''Anime/{{Macross}}'': the protagonist is sitting in hospital amusing himself with a miniature biplane, when told his friend/squadron leader is dead. Cue dramatic slow-mo shot of the biplane falling to the floor and breaking.
* Fate's HeroicBSOD in ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha'' is marked by [[WreckedWeapon her weapon shattering]] after [[DramaticDrop she drops it]]. In turn, it's repaired when she recovers.
* In ''{{Nana}}'', the breaking of the strawberry glasses represents the breaking of contact [[spoiler: between Nana K and Nana O]]
* When [[spoiler: Asuma]] dies in ''{{Naruto}}'', his girlfriend [[spoiler: Kurenai's]] teacup breaks.
* ''Manga/OnePiece'' invokes this with the Vivre Card, a piece of paper linked to the condition of its owner/creator. It burns and dwindles if that person is weak or in danger, and returns to normal when he's healthy. When a character with a Vivre Card is KilledOffForReal, it's symbolized by the Vivre Card burning into nothing.
* Anime/{{Pokemon}}: Part of the way a Stoutland's death in S M 021 is shown is its furniture breaking apart.
*In ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'', [[spoiler:both Mami's teacup and saucer shatter and are further shown covered in blood, symbolizing her gruesome death by the witch Charlotte]]
[[AC: ComicBooks]]
* In ''ComicBook/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns'', the flashback to Martha Wayne's death shows her necklace breaking and the pearls scattering as she falls to the ground.
[[AC:FanFiction]]
*In the ''TheMagicSchoolBus'' FanFic ''FanFic/TheLifeAndTimesOfTheFantasmicFour'', just before she leaves Texas for university in North Carolina, Phoebe breaks the head off a toy dinosaur that her ex-boyfriend Arnold had given her in a NoodleIncident years before (later depicted in ''FanFic/TheBestChrismukkahEver'') because she's upset that their relationship is over and that she ended it despite the fact that they both still loved each other.
[[AC: Films-Animated]]
* Happens twice in ''{{Brave}}'': the tapestry Merida slices in anger explicitly represents the broken bond between her and her mother. Later, we see a carving of the four princes that has been similarly broken.
*''Film/{{Pocahontas}}'': As Kokoum is shot, he grasps at Pocahontas' necklace (which belonged to her mother) and it breaks off and falls to the floor in pieces, signifying how the shooting breaks relationships between the two sides and brings them to the brink of war.
* Disney's adaptation of Creator/EdgarRiceBurroughs' ''Disney/{{Tarzan}}'' has Kala the ape lead Tarzan to the treehouse where Tarzan was found as an infant. On the floor, Tarzan finds a photograph in a broken frame with cracked glass of three humans: himself as an infant, his father and his mother. The vicious leopard Sabor had killed Tarzan's parents, leaving only himself for Kala to rescue and adopt.
[[AC: Films-Live-Action]]
* In ''TheParentTrap'', both girls have half of a ripped picture of their divorced parents.
[[AC: Literature]]
* ''Literature/TheBible'':
**Moses spends a great amount of time in the mountains getting God's rules for the Israelites to adhere to. Bored of waiting, the Israelites creating golden idols to worship, hoping to get insight from their new pagan gods. When Moses returns bearing the two heavy stone tablets inscribed with the commandments, he is appalled to find the Israelites drunkenly celebrating their golden idol and smashes the tablets in outrage.
**When Jesus dies during his crucifixion, the veils in the temples that separate the priests from their parishioners tore from top to bottom, symbolizing that the priests were no longer the only ones who could pray to God.
* In Terry Pratchett's ''Literature/CarpeJugulum'', Granny Weatherwax vacates her cottage, leaving everything neatly arranged by threes. Where she has a surplus fourth plate, it is broken and in the bin. Nanny Ogg works out that this is her way of telling the other witches the original three is no more - Granny is represented by the broken plate, whose time is past. The remaining witches have to form a new symbolic triad - Nanny Ogg as the Crone, Magrat Garlick as the Mother, Agnes Nitt as the Maiden.
* ''[[Literature/EarthsChildren Clan of the Cave Bear]]'': Mog-ur has a vision of the Clan dying out and the Others taking over the world. When Ayla accidentally breaks the ceremonial bowl Iza uses to prepare one of her potions, Mog-ur sees it as a sign that his vision will come true
*''HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix'': Sirius gives Harry a magic mirror that will allow them to communicate. Harry tries using it after [[spoiler: Sirius' death]] but it doesn't work, so he throws it in his trunk and it smashes. It later becomes a ChekhovsBoomerang.
* In Tennyson's ''The Lady of Shallot'', the eponymous Lady imprisoned in a tower knows her death is near, when:
--> Out flew the web and floated wideâ€Â
--> [[Creator/AgathaChristie The mirror crack'd from side to side]];
* When Aslan returns from the dead in ''TheLionTheWitchAndTheWardrobe'' the Stone Table splits in half.
*In ''Literature/LordOfTheFlies'', the destruction of the conch shell symbolizes the breakdown of civilization.
*In ''[[Literature/{{Safehold}} How Firm a Foundation]]'', Sailys Trahskhat's lucky baseball bat earned that status because it's the one bat that never broke during a game. When he has to go BatterUp on three armed rioters threatening to rape and murder his family, he wins the fight but his lucky bat breaks in the process. That fight was the point when Trahskhat changed from a Temple Loyalist exile to a Reformist soldier.
* In TadWilliams's ''Literature/TheWarOfTheFlowers'', Mud [[spoiler:Bug]] Button shows up on television and breaks a small stick. The goblin underclass of TheCity immediately begin rioting and revolting against their Faerie overlords because that stick was the physical manifestation of the treaty that kept them in subjugation.
[[AC: Live Action TV]]
* ''Series/DoctorWho'':
**When [[AlasPoorScrappy Adric]] dies in the ''DoctorWho'' serial ''Earthshock'', the Doctor has to use his star badge to kill a Cyberman, destroying it in the process. [[TearJerker Then they run the]] SilentCredits [[TearJerker over the image of the broken star.]]
** In the episode "Father's Day", when Rose's father is hit by a car we don't see him hit but rather see the vase he's carrying fall to the ground and break. When Rose saves him, the vase falls but does ''not'' break.
*In the SeriesFinale of ''Series/{{Friends}}'', the replacement chick and duck Chandler bought for Joey get trapped inside Joey's foosball table. Joey and Chandler can't bring themselves to destroy the table, so Monica does. Given that [[spoiler: Chandler is Joey's best friend and is moving to the suburbs with Monica, breaking up the close circuit of the six characters' lives]], it's pretty symbolic.
* An episode of ''SexAndTheCity'' had an episode where Samantha gets her boyfriend a framed painting of a heart. His reluctance to hang it on his wall symbolises his inability to give her the commitment she wants, and later he smashes it... having broken her heart.
*''Series/{{Supernatural}}'':
**A really bad car wreck leaves Dean comatose and not expected to live. After seeing the Winchesters' badly damaged Impala, Bobby suggests scrapping the car. Sam goes on an emotional, not-at-all subtle rant that if there is even one salvageable piece of the car, he won't give up on it.
**After John's death, Dean is working to repair the Impala but can't quite get the car to work like it should. After insisting that he was fine all episode, Dean wails on the car with a crowbar. Anyone who watches the show knows how [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness out of character]] this is for Dean, but it perfectly represents how helpless and destroyed he feels following his father's death.
[[AC: Music]]
*In the Blink182 video for "Always", this happens to a vase of gladioli at the beginning of the video, symbolising the broken relationship between the guy(s) and the girl.
[[AC: RealLife]]
*According to TheOtherWiki, [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wand stage magicians break a wand when a magician dies]].
*Also according to TheOtherWiki, [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_funerals_in_the_United_Kingdom state funerals in the U.K.]] include a household official (such as the Lord Chamberlain), breaking a staff of office at the graveside to symbolize the end of service to the dead person.
[[AC: Theater]]
* In ''TheGlassMenagerie'', one of [[spoiler: Laura's glass animal figurines is broken by her "Gentleman Caller". The figure is a unicorn. Its horn breaks off, making it "just like all the other horses". It's symbolic of Laura herself, who is fragile and special and no one understands her.]]
*In ''The Platform'' Kyle destroys the dream catcher that Agatha has been playing with. Not only does it call her, it symbolizes that the guilt she has carried, thinking she killed her son, has also been destroyed.
* In ''Theatre/SummerOfTheSeventeenthDoll'', the doll that Roo gives Olive at the beginning gets broken near the end, in the same scene that sees the irretrievable breakdown of Roo and Olive's relationship.
[[AC: Toys]]
* ''{{BIONICLE}}'': The ''Bohrok Online Animations'' begins with a storm over the Mata Nui rock, after which the rock shatters, representing the Bohrok coming to "cleanse" the island of Mata Nui.
[[AC: VideoGames]]
*In ''VideoGame/{{Halo 4}}'', Master Chief and his rapidly-deteriorating AI Cortana work together to destroy the BigBad's starship. They succeed in the end, [[spoiler:but it takes the last of Cortana's strength to save Chief, even though he was adamant she'd be cured soon. As she vanishes, the starship is seen falling to pieces behind him, representative of his shattered worldview.]]
* In ''VideoGames/TheKingOfFighters'', after Rugal (his nemesis) is confirmed dead, Col. Heidern feels that he can finally move on with his life and he chooses to rip his family photo (Rugal murdered his family back then).
* In ''MortalKombat 9'' the cracked amulet represents Armageddon: the further it's cracked, the closer it is.
* ''VideoGames/TwilightPrincess'': After Midna [[spoiler:uses the Fused Shadows to fight Ganon one-on-one]], the scene cuts to Hyrule Field where she'd teleported Link and Zelda. After a massive explosion shakes the castle, Ganon appears on horseback, holding the Fused Shadow Midna had been wearing as a hat... and crushes it. Cue the last two phases of the final boss fight.
[[AC: WesternAnimation]]
*''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'': Mabel rips up a photo with her, Candy and Grenda in the episode "Boyz Crazy" after temporary breaking up with them. In the next episodes where the photo is shown, it is fixed.
*In WesternAnimation/WanderOverYonder, [[spoiler: Dominator destroying a heart-shaped planet represents breaking Hater's heart.]]
----
Indices: {{Symbolism}}, BreakingAndDestructionTropes
