Juw Juwinga, tiende potestaat van Friesland 1618 - 1620

This engraving by Pieter Feddes van Harlingen depicts Juw Juwinga, a Frisian leader, with potent symbols of authority. The sword he firmly grasps is not merely a weapon; it's an ancient emblem of justice and power, tracing back to Roman gladii and beyond. Notice the heraldic lions on the shield above him and the shield besides the tree. Lions have been emblems of courage and royalty, often seen in the arms of European monarchies, from England to the Netherlands. But consider, too, the vulnerability inherent in such displays of strength. The sword, while a symbol of might, also hints at the constant threat of conflict. This duality, this interplay between power and fragility, echoes through the ages. Like the heroes of old, Juwinga is immortalized through symbols. The lion and sword are emblems that endure, evolving yet forever tethered to humanity's collective memory.