Hemingway first describes Santiago as having the deep-creased scars from the cords used to handle very heavy fish. However, these scars do not have the appearance of fresh scars but appear "as old as erosions in a fishless desert." Later in the story as Santiago wrestles with the marlin, and he cuts his hand and it begins to cramp. Santiago's suffering, pain and bleeding hand serve as a metaphor for Christ's hands pierced by the nails at his crucifixion. Even the young boy cries at the sight of Santiago's hands.
Hemingway describes the sail on Santiago's boat as "patched with flour sacks" that looked like a flag representing "permanent defeat." Because the fisherman Santiago has not caught fish in almost three months, other fisherman seem to consider him as a living, walking symbol of permanent defeat. Yet, even though the sail appears as a patchwork of sacks, it still functions when the wind blows, transporting Santiago out to sea to grapple with the marlin. Both Santiago and the sail serve as a metaphor for continuing endurance.
As a young man, Santiago apparently sailed to Africa and witnessed young lions playing on the beach. He dreams about these lions each night because the thought of that scene connects him with his youth when he lived as a stronger person, actively participating in life and willing to push boundaries. Santiago recalls memories of the young boy Manolin as the most obvious symbol of youth, power and promise. Santiago calls on the boy for strength when he faces challenges and difficulty during his journey. In stark contrast with his own old age, both Manolin and the young lions on the beach from Santiago's distant past serve as metaphors for youth, strength, confidence and power.
Joe DiMaggio, the Hall of Fame baseball player for the New York Yankees, was a symbol of strength and resilience. DiMaggio experienced many difficulties in the last half of his career. In 1946, plagued by a bone spur in his heel that affected his ability to play, DiMaggio had a challenging season. However, the next year, Joltin' Joe came back and finished as the MVP of the 1947 baseball season. Santiago follows Joe DiMaggio in the newspapers, and DiMaggio provides a metaphor for Santiago's strength and resilience, traits he relied upon to get him through his three-day odyssey.