Prefiguration in poetry is a literary device wherein an image, symbol, phrase, or event subtly anticipates or foreshadows a later development within the poem or a broader narrative arc, creating a sense of inevitability, thematic cohesion, or prophetic resonance; unlike explicit foreshadowing, prefiguration often operates through symbolic or mythic echoes—such as a wilting flower hinting at impending death—that enrich the reader’s retrospective understanding and imbue the text with layered temporal dimensions, common in epic and religious poetry where divine or fate-driven structures underpin human action.

Prefiguration hints at future events or themes early in a poem. Related to prophetic hint and foreshadowing in narrative. Subtlety is key—effective prefiguration feels inevitable in retrospect, not obvious on first read.