Kaart van de provincie Groningen (deel linksonder) 1678

This is a section of Cornelis Apeus’s map of Groningen, a visual document teeming with symbols. Look closely at the figure on the left; she holds a caduceus, a winged staff with entwined snakes, typically associated with Hermes or Mercury, messengers of the gods and patrons of commerce. Note how the same motif of the caduceus appears in ancient Greek art, Renaissance paintings, and even modern medical emblems. Its essence remains: a conduit between realms, a symbol of balance and healing. Yet, each era imbues it with new layers of meaning, reflecting the shifting cultural landscape. The image is not just a static representation, but a dynamic carrier of memories and meanings, that resurfaces time and time again. Consider this figure and her staff as more than mere decoration. They are potent symbols, engaging our subconscious understanding of communication and trade. The image invites us to reflect on how symbols evolve, yet persist in our collective memory, shaping our understanding across generations.