Kaart van het Hoogheemraadschap van de Krimpenerwaard (deel wapenrand) 1683 - 1706

This is an engraving of a coat of arms of the High Council of Krimpenerwaard. Look at the lions standing guard. Since ancient times, the lion has symbolized power and courage, appearing on royal standards from the Near East to medieval Europe. Here, these lions flank a shield, crowned with foliage. A crown atop a coat-of-arms tells of nobility. It is fascinating to note how the imagery of power has been appropriated in this Dutch landscape, to evoke civic authority, not a monarch. Think of the heraldic symbols and the psychological weight they carry. This lion echoes through time, linking this regional map to ancient kings and the primal human need for leadership. It is a symbol transformed, yet still resonant with deep-seated associations of strength and command, even now.