Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken before 1898

Helène Lambertine Hauzeur created this postcard to Philip Zilcken sometime in the late 19th century. Note the coat of arms, which features a crown and an heraldic lion, symbols of authority and nationhood. This lion, a fierce guardian, can be traced through the ages. We find it guarding the gates of Mycenae in ancient Greece, emblazoned on medieval shields, and roaring from the flags of empires. Its cultural significance transcends borders; it embodies courage and dominion, reappearing in different guises across countless cultures. The image of a crowned lion can be interpreted as a projection of human desire for control and permanence. Over time, the lion has become less about physical power and more about the psychological reassurance of order and stability. Each reappearance of the symbol echoes the collective human search for meaning, a psychological anchor in a shifting world. Thus, the lion reminds us of the past while echoing in the present, an unbroken chain of subconscious recognition and resonance.