King Kalakaua I, Sandwich Islands, from the Rulers, Flags, and Coats of Arms series (N126-2) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. 1888

This image, produced around 1900 by W. Duke, Sons & Co., depicts King Kalakaua I within a heraldic design. The composition is dominated by a coat of arms, flanked by uniformed figures, and crowned with a regal coronet. The heraldic shield is bisected into quarters bearing symbolic flora and coloured bars, evoking traditions of European nobility while incorporating local motifs of the ‘Sandwich Islands’. The symmetrical arrangement of the figures strikes a pose familiar to many cultures—symbols of power, order, and governance. Consider how similar visual elements appear in different contexts. For instance, the motif of the crown can be traced back through various ancient empires, each imbuing it with new significances of authority. Note how such symbols resonate with a collective memory, engaging viewers on a subconscious level by evoking intense emotional states tied to notions of legacy and power. The heraldic symbols, the crown, and the ceremonial guards, present an instance of cyclical progression—how imagery resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings across different eras and civilizations.