Voorzijde Chinees huis in Semarang 1863 - 1866

This is a photograph of the front of a Chinese house in Semarang, taken by Woodbury & Page. Note the roof, how its sweeping curves reach upward. The curve as aspiration, a motif found across cultures, reminiscent of Gothic arches reaching for the divine or the upturned prows of Viking ships sailing towards new horizons. Here, in a Chinese house, it speaks of a connection to the heavens, prosperity, and upward mobility. Consider also how the bridge serves as both a physical crossing and a symbolic threshold, inviting transition and change. This archetypal image, deeply rooted in our collective unconscious, mirrors the soul's journey from one state to another, echoing the mythic passage over the Bifröst bridge in Norse mythology. These recurring symbols are not merely aesthetic choices but are powerful forces engaging us on a deep, subconscious level, reflecting humanity’s shared dreams and fears.