Festival of the New Moon from the frieze Ces Moeurs et fachons de faire de Turcz (Customs and Fashions of the Turks) 1553

Pieter Coecke van Aelst created this print of a Turkish festival in the 16th century. Dominating the scene are the symbolic gestures and rituals performed under the new moon, a celestial event deeply revered across cultures as a time of renewal and beginning. Note the act of raising torches to the sky. This motif echoes ancient fire rituals meant to honor celestial deities, found in various forms from pre-Roman solstice celebrations to Zoroastrian fire temples. Consider how, over centuries, the sacredness of fire transforms—from a symbol of divine presence to a marker of cultural identity. Observe too how these gestures are imbued with collective hope and fear, embodying a community's yearning for prosperity. Here, the artist captures not merely a scene, but a nexus of cultural memory. The symbolism is a powerful force engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. These symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings.