Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken before 1893

This is a postcard sent to Philip Zilcken, bearing the Dutch coat of arms. The lion rampant, crowned, has roots stretching back to medieval heraldry, symbolizing courage and nobility. We see similar heraldic lions across Europe, from the British royal crest to various municipal flags. Consider how this symbol, once a fierce emblem on battle standards, has softened into a marker of national identity and official correspondence. It embodies the enduring human need to project power, yet here, it's domesticated, printed on a humble postcard. Even the act of sealing this card with postage stamps, each bearing the nation's emblem, speaks to a collective memory, an almost subconscious reinforcement of identity and belonging. The cyclical journey of symbols reflects our constant negotiation between power and everyday life.