Nitophyllum punctatum / β [= var.] ocellatum c. 1843 - 1853

Anna Atkins made this cyanotype featuring seaweed around the mid-19th century. The delicate, branching structure of the Nitophyllum punctatum echoes the Tree of Life, an ancient motif found across cultures, symbolizing interconnectedness and the source of all life. This form is not static; it appears in myriad variations across time and geography. Consider the menorah, whose seven branches mirror this structure, or the scepters of power with budding apexes held by rulers of ancient Egypt. Such imagery taps into a collective, perhaps subconscious, desire to find order and meaning in the natural world, with the branching form resonating as a symbol of growth, family, and heritage. Over time, it resurfaces, reminding us of the enduring human quest for connection.