Twee vissersschepen aan de kust bij Scheveningen 1904

This photograph shows two fishing boats on the coast near Scheveningen, captured by James Higson. Notice the flags atop each mast. They are not mere decorations, but potent symbols. Flags have long been used as identifiers and emblems of power. Think back to the Roman legions, their standards held high. Or consider the banners of medieval knights. Each flag represents a collective identity, a shared purpose, even dominion. Here, these flags likely signal the boats' origins or affiliations, a silent language understood by the seafaring community. They remind us of how symbols evolve, passed down through generations, subtly shifting in meaning. The sea itself carries profound psychological weight; it represents both the promise of adventure and the threat of the unknown. Such images engage us on a subconscious level, stirring deep-seated emotions tied to our shared human history. The symbol of the flag has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.