Shah of Persia, from the Rulers, Flags, and Coats of Arms series (N126-1) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. 1888

This trade card, made by W. Duke, Sons & Co., presents the Shah of Persia alongside potent national symbols: the coat of arms with a lion and rising sun, and the national flag featuring the same emblem. The lion and sun motif, a recurring image, stretches back through Persia’s ancient past. Emerging prominently in the 12th century, it fuses solar symbolism—representing royalty and power—with the lion, an emblem of courage. This combination expresses the sovereign's strength and divine right. The motif migrates through time; in ancient Mesopotamia, the lion was associated with kingship and divine protection, a visual echo that resonates even here. Consider the emotional weight of such emblems. They are not mere decorations but condensed narratives, triggering deeply rooted cultural memories and stirring collective emotions. The symbolic charge creates an immediate, subconscious connection between ruler and ruled, evoking allegiance and shared identity across generations. Like a dream, the image holds both personal and universal meanings.