Sketch of a Well, Roden Thor, Germany 1876

This sketch of a well at Roden Thor in Germany, captured by Andrew Fisher Bunner, invites us to reflect on the profound symbolism of wells throughout history. The well, a humble source of life-giving water, appears across diverse cultures as a symbol of purification, renewal, and even hidden wisdom. Consider its presence in ancient myths and religious traditions, where wells and springs were often associated with sacred groves and divine encounters. From the Well of Urd in Norse mythology to the healing pools of ancient Greece, water sources were venerated as gateways to the spiritual realm. The wheel mechanism above the well connects to this. Think of the Wheel of Fortune: in some traditions, the well is the source of that cyclical nature of existence, the inexorable turn of fate. Bunner’s sketch captures this layered meaning, drawing on centuries of collective memory that have shaped our perception of the well. It’s a potent symbol, continuing to evolve with each new encounter, carrying echoes of the past into the present.