"After, in came the body of guards armed with terrible stings" from Scenes from the Private and Public Life of Animals 1832 - 1852

This lithograph, made by J. J. Grandville, presents us with a satirical scene of bees in a royal court, highlighting their militant, hierarchical society through anthropomorphic representation. Here, the queen bee sits enthroned under a massive honeycomb, guarded by soldiers armed with exaggerated stingers. The bee, an ancient symbol of industry and social order, finds its roots in cultures from ancient Egypt to Greece. The bee's appearance in art and literature has evolved from a representation of diligence to one of militaristic efficiency and social control, reflecting changing societal values. The formidable stinger, comically emphasized, echoes the psychological undercurrent of fear and authority, engaging our primal awareness of power structures. This image, laden with symbols of authority and defense, taps into the collective memory of social hierarchies. Thus, the symbolism of the bee, its hive, and its stingers, represents a potent mixture of industry, order, and latent aggression, a cultural meme that has resurfaced across time, adapting to reflect evolving human anxieties and aspirations.