Ornamentele rand met konijnen c. 1910

This ornamental border with rabbits was created by Bernard Willem Wierink. Observe how the stylized rabbits are set amongst foliage. This harks back to ancient motifs of nature's fertility and abundance. The rabbit, often a symbol of regeneration and new life, is not merely decorative. Its inclusion invites us to consider deeper connections between nature, life cycles, and human experience. Consider the "Rabbit Standard" found in ancient Egypt, where rabbits were potent symbols of fertility. In medieval times, they were often depicted in illuminated manuscripts, weaving narratives of earthly and spiritual rebirth. Each era imbues the rabbit with shifting layers of meaning, reflecting society’s evolving relationship with nature and spirituality. The reappearance of these symbols throughout time evokes an understanding of collective memory, linking us to past generations. As these forms evolve and resurface in unexpected contexts, they remind us of the cyclical nature of history.