Gezicht op rotsformatie the Lady's Wishing Chair before 1867

This is an image of rock formations titled, "The Lady's Wishing Chair". Notice the chair-like appearance and the rigid, geometric shapes of the stones. The chair is an ancient symbol for authority, teaching, and repose. In ancient Greece, the cathedra was the seat of authority and was meant to elevate the person seated. Chairs have been viewed throughout history as places of power, from thrones to ceremonial seats. But here we see its vernacular, almost earthly version, carved by geological forces rather than human hands, and linked with wishing. The longing to be elevated to another state is a basic human desire. It surfaces in fairy tales, mythologies, and religious stories. Perhaps this natural rock formation became a "wishing chair" because it evokes the primal desire for fulfillment. It underscores how symbols evolve and are reinterpreted across centuries, still tapping into our deepest aspirations.