Heilige Werenfridus van Elst before 1650

This engraving by Frederick Bloemaert depicts Saint Werenfridus of Elst, his head crowned with a halo, holding a small boat. The boat, the defining symbol of Werenfridus, speaks to his legendary journey across the waterways to evangelize. Consider the ancient motif of the vessel, harking back to myths of arks and voyages of spiritual awakening. It appears not just as a means of physical transport but as a symbol of the soul's journey. This resonates with ancient Egyptian funerary boats destined for the afterlife, or even the ship of the Argonauts in classical mythology. Here, the boat is less about physical travel and more about his spiritual odyssey. It's a powerful symbol, deeply embedded in our collective unconscious, reminding us of the eternal quest for meaning and redemption. Its cyclical progression manifests in new forms, adapting yet retaining the core themes of hope and guidance.