Sophie en David Vermeulen op een stenen vis, Heisterbach c. 1895 - 1905

This vintage photograph by David Vermeulen shows Sophie and David Vermeulen sitting atop a stone fish in Heisterbach. The fish is an ancient symbol, representing fertility, abundance, and the depths of the unconscious. In early Christian iconography, the fish, or "ichthys," became a coded symbol for Christ himself, its presence hinting at hidden spiritual meanings. We might recall the dolphin in ancient Roman art, often depicted carrying figures across the sea, a motif resonating with themes of salvation and transformation. Here, the children are riding a dolphin-like fish that connects them to a lineage stretching back through antiquity. It evokes a sense of innocence and carefree play, yet the fish also whispers tales of deeper, primeval forces at play. It's a reminder that symbols evolve, are reborn, and continue to engage our subconscious, blending personal experience with collective memory.