Reliëf met leeuwen van de San Marco in Venetië before 1885

This is Carl Heinrich Jacobi's photographic relief of the lions of San Marco in Venice. Note the central motif of the Lion of Saint Mark, a symbol of Venice itself, and more broadly, a symbol of strength and divinity. Observe how this symbol, charged with cultural and religious significance, harkens back to ancient Mesopotamia, where lions were associated with royalty. Similarly, the wreaths encompassing stylized crosses recall the laurel wreaths of ancient Greece, emblems of victory and honor. The evolution of such symbols is fascinating. What began as markers of earthly power transformed over centuries, carrying spiritual weight as symbols of Venice. Consider the psychological impact: the lion, a primal image of power, combined with the wreath, and cross – a promise of triumph – creates a potent message. It’s a visual language, ingrained in our collective memory, evoking emotions of awe and respect. Such images resonate on a subconscious level, long after their original context is forgotten. This is the enduring power of symbols, resurfacing in new forms, carrying echoes of the past into the present.