Moses and the Burning Bush and the Coming of the Three Kings 1538

Cast by Hans Reinhart the Elder in the 16th century, this silver medal juxtaposes the Nativity scene with Moses encountering the burning bush. On one side, we see the three kings presenting gifts to the newborn Christ—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—symbols of kingship, divinity, and sacrifice. Turn the medal, and observe Moses confronted by a burning bush that does not burn, an epiphany of divine presence. Consider how the motif of offering connects these scenes, reappearing throughout history. The burning bush motif can be traced back to ancient Near Eastern traditions, where sacred groves and trees were seen as dwelling places of deities. The serpent near Moses recalls the ancient symbol of transformation and knowledge, a motif present in cultures from Mesopotamia to Greece. This emblem, so potent, engages our subconscious, tapping into collective memories of temptation and enlightenment, recurring, and resurfacing throughout art history, evolving with each retelling.