This photographic journey to Egypt and Jerusalem, assembled by Carolina Onnen, captures a series of encounters with potent cultural symbols. The image of the Sphinx is particularly striking. A hybrid creature, the Sphinx embodies both human intellect and animal strength, a guardian of ancient knowledge. In Onnen’s photograph, we see echoes of this symbolism: it stands as a gatekeeper between the modern world and the mysteries of the past. Consider, too, the photograph of the Eucalyptus trees. The tree as a symbol is an axis mundi, a bridge between the earthly and the divine. Trees appear in countless myths and religions around the world. Their endurance and renewal speak to the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth. Ultimately, Onnen’s photographs are not just travel records but an invitation to consider the enduring power of symbols and their ability to connect us to deeper layers of cultural memory. These symbols continue to evolve, carrying new meanings across time and space.