Ornament met twee dolfijnen 1527

This ornament with two dolphins was created by Lucas van Leyden in 1522. Here, we see dolphins flanking a central vessel. The dolphin, a symbol resonant through the ages, carries a rich cargo of meanings. In antiquity, it was associated with salvation and transformation, guiding souls to the afterlife. The dolphin’s association with the sea, and thus the subconscious, marks it as a motif of emotional depth. Consider how the dolphin leaps through time, surfacing in ancient Roman mosaics and Renaissance fountains alike, each time imbued with the cultural currents of its age. This symbol, once representing safe passage, is now a decorative motif. This reveals the fascinating evolution of symbols, shaped by collective memory and subconscious forces. The enduring presence of the dolphin speaks to our deep, unspoken connection to the mysteries of the sea.