Publicatie over het illumineren bij het bezoek van Willem V aan Middelburg, 1766 1766

This publication by J.J. Callenfels, printed in Middelburg in 1766, announces the illumination for Willem V's visit. At its header we see the Coat of Arms of Willem V, which is adorned with symbols of power and authority. Note how the lion, a figure we find guarding ancient Mycenaean gates, reappears here. It once symbolized strength and courage, yet here, it supports dynastic power. A clear example of how symbols that once stood for one thing are modified to fit new eras. The eagle above, a symbol associated with Roman emperors and later adopted by various European monarchies, signifies imperial power and divine mandate. The presence of these powerful symbols are designed to impress upon the viewer the authority and legitimacy of the House of Orange-Nassau. These symbols, once pagan, now sanctify the monarch, reflecting our timeless need to align earthly power with higher, often subconscious, forces. This enduring connection shapes our perception of leadership across centuries.