A negative of a vector represents the direction opposite to the reference direction. It means that the magnitude of two vectors are same but they are opposite in direction.

For example, if A and B are two vectors that have equal magnitude but opposite in direction, then vector A is negative of vector B.

the symbols used in the story are:

1. house and shops- it symbolizes Aksionov's family and material possessions
2. nightmare-it symbolizes a bad omen.
3. blood-stained knife- it indicates Aksionov's lack of control over his fate.
4. the prison- Aksionov's pain and subsequent mystical transformation are symbolized by the prison.
5. the book(the lives of the saints)- gives an impression of religiosity.

Yes, a vector which has zero magnitude is also a vector in case of two vectors travelling in opposite directions with equal magnitudes. At this case, the resultant vector has zero magnitude but it is still a vector. We call it a null vector.