Hemelkaart met de noordelijke sterrenbeelden before 1701

Andreas van Luchtenburg etched this celestial map with the northern constellations in the late 17th century. Notice how each constellation is meticulously rendered as mythical creatures and figures. This reflects an age where the cosmos was not just a scientific domain, but a canvas for projecting cultural narratives and beliefs. Consider Draco, the dragon, winding its way across the heavens. The dragon symbol, potent across cultures, embodies chaos and primordial power. We see echoes of this dragon in ancient Greek myths, guarding sacred treasures, and in Eastern lore, where it symbolizes imperial strength and wisdom. Over time, the dragon transforms, its fearful image softening to represent knowledge and guardianship. Observe how these astral symbols tap into our deepest collective memories. The constellations become vessels for humanity’s enduring quest to understand our place in the universe, and the powerful, often contradictory emotions it evokes. As we look up, we do not merely see stars, but a reflection of our shared human story, continually rewritten in the night sky.