The cracks of broken time symbolize the fractured, unreliable, and malleable nature of history and memory. These crystalline fissures, which allow characters to physically enter and interact with the past, are literal wounds in the timeline, demonstrating that history is not an immutable record, but a narrative that can be misunderstood, revisited, and even rewritten.

As a symbol, broken time is central to the themes of The Malleability of Fate and Prophecy and unveiling truth in a world built on lies. Initially appearing as a chaotic and dangerous phenomenon, the cracks become the primary means by which Lyra uncovers the lies surrounding the Titanomachy, witnessing firsthand events such as Cronos defending his children. This direct access to the past subverts established myths and proves that historical truth is a matter of perspective, heavily influenced by those powerful enough to control its telling.

The dangerous potency of time cracks is underscored by Rhea’s warning about its potential consequences. She cautions Lyra that meddling with the past carries catastrophic risks, stating, “If you do or say the wrong thing to someone from the past, you’ll reset time for everyone” (73). Rhea’s emphasis on the fragility of time’s equilibrium frames Lyra’s journey as a delicate act of rectifying history without destroying it. The protagonist’s ability to navigate these temporal wounds, even influencing her own past by leaving her axe for her younger self, marks her evolution from a pawn of prophecy to the goddess of time. Ultimately, the cracks of broken time symbolize an agency gained by actively engaging with the narrative of the past to create a new future.