Gezicht op het Oudezijds Heerenlogement in Amsterdam 1693

This etching depicts the Oudezijds Heerenlogement in Amsterdam. Notice the prominent banner above the building, proclaiming its name—a symbol of status and welcome. Banners, like flags and heraldic crests, have long served as emblems of identity and belonging. Think of the standards carried into battle by ancient armies, or the guild banners of medieval craftsmen. These symbols evoke a sense of collective pride and shared purpose, resonating deeply within the communal psyche. The Heerenlogement banner, in its own way, signals the city's hospitality. Consider, too, how such symbols evolve. The Roman Eagle, once a fierce emblem of military might, finds echoes in the heraldry of empires centuries later, its meaning subtly transformed, adapted to new contexts, yet still retaining a vestige of its original power. This is the cyclical dance of symbols—a testament to the enduring human need for connection and identity.