Crane and Sun 1800 - 1868

This is 'Crane and Sun', a painting made by a follower of Hokusai, executed with ink on paper. The image presents us with the rising sun, a potent symbol of renewal, and the crane, which in East Asian cultures, embodies longevity and auspiciousness. These motifs resonate deeply, echoing through diverse eras and geographies. We see this avian symbol in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, as well as Greco-Roman mythologies. The symbolism is ever-shifting. The crane which, in some cultures, is seen as a bringer of good fortune, can also become a symbol of vigilance or even mourning, depending on its pose and context. There's a sense of latent power here, engaging us on a subconscious level. The crane's association with longevity taps into our deepest fears, and greatest hopes. The image serves as a powerful reminder of the cyclical nature of existence. These symbols, though ancient, continually resurface, evolving to reflect the changing tapestry of human experience.