Gezicht op het koor van de Joriskerk te Borculo 1911

This photograph captures the choir of the Joriskerk in Borculo. Note the stark, octagonal apse crowned with a simple cross. Its presence marks this building as a sacred space, echoing forms found in early Christian baptisteries and Byzantine sanctuaries. Consider the cross atop the Joriskerk. This symbol, ubiquitous in the Christian world, finds its roots in the ancient world, pre-dating Christianity. Think of the ankh in ancient Egypt, a symbol of life, or even earlier solar crosses. The adoption of the cross by Christianity is a powerful example of cultural appropriation and transformation. The cross has persisted, evolving into a potent emblem of sacrifice and redemption, its impact felt even by those detached from its religious origins. This constant reinvention reveals how symbols are not static, but are continuously reinterpreted through the lens of collective memory and experience. It reminds us that the emotional and psychological power of symbols lies in their ability to connect us to layers of history, faith, and shared human experience.