The True Cross 

This is Gustave Doré’s "The True Cross." A wood engraving depicting crusaders stirred by the sight of the cross. Dominating the scene is the cross itself. The symbol, originally an instrument of torture, becomes an emblem of faith and salvation. It speaks of sacrifice but also of triumph. This transformation is a powerful example of how symbols evolve, carrying layers of meaning through time. The cross appears in different forms and contexts across cultures and eras. The Ankh in ancient Egypt, for instance, shares a similar shape and symbolizes life. The emotional power of the cross in Doré’s engraving is palpable, rousing the crusaders to action. It taps into a collective memory, a deep-seated yearning for redemption and divine favor. The image reveals the non-linear, cyclical progression of symbols and how they can re-emerge, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.