Flags 

Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis' "Flags" presents us with a vivid interplay of symbols, painted with delicate strokes. Here, the flag, with its sharp angles and bright colors, stands in stark contrast to the serene landscape of earth and sky. The flag, throughout history, has been a potent symbol of identity, allegiance, and nationhood, harking back to ancient standards and emblems used in battle. Yet, its form is ever-changing, adapting to new powers and ideologies. Consider the rising sun in the painting. The sun—a universal symbol of life, renewal, and divine power—appears across cultures, from ancient Egyptian sun worship to its role in countless myths and legends. The sun's cyclical journey—rising and setting, day after day—resonates with our own subconscious awareness of time, mortality, and the enduring rhythm of existence. Ciurlionis masterfully captures this emotional weight, engaging us on a primal, intuitive level. Notice the clouds; they are more than just clouds. They're symbols of transition and change. These symbols are never fixed; instead they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings.