Series of Prints with Flowers and Animals in a Landscape c. 1600 - 1605

This print, by Johann Hogenberg, features an owl, lilies and medlar fruit in a landscape. Here we see symbols laden with cultural weight. The owl, traditionally associated with wisdom, often lurks as a symbol of darkness and introspection. Consider the lily, 'lilium rubrum,' a motif of purity and innocence. Yet, in other contexts, the lily can be associated with death and mourning, a duality that speaks to our complex relationship with symbols. This duality reminds us that cultural memory is fluid, adapting to the subconscious needs of each epoch. Like the serpent, or the tree of life, these symbols possess a remarkable ability to resurface, their meanings evolving, their emotional resonance unwavering. These symbols become powerful forces, engaging viewers on a profound, subconscious level.