St Christopher and the Infant Christ 

Edward Burne-Jones rendered this drawing of Saint Christopher carrying the Infant Christ. Note how Christopher, the patron saint of travelers, uses a staff to wade through the waters. This staff, a symbol of support and guidance, echoes across cultures—think of Hermes's caduceus or the scepters of rulers, each a variation on the theme of authority and direction. Now, observe the Christ Child. Though small, He embodies a weight, not merely physical but spiritual, a burden of salvation. This recalls ancient myths where the hero carries the world on his shoulders. The act of carrying itself is potent. Consider the countless images of mothers with children, the pietà—these are not just scenes but primal expressions of care, protection, and the weight of responsibility. These symbols remind us that the past is never truly gone, it is merely transformed, resurfacing in new guises to stir our souls.