‘Siegmund the Walsung, thou dost see! As bride-gift he brings thee this sword’ 1910

Arthur Rackham made this artwork showing the figure of Siegmund presenting a sword as a bride-gift. The sword, a recurring motif across cultures, symbolizes power, protection, and justice. Here, Siegmund raises the sword, drawing our eye upward in a gesture of offering and dominance. The sword appears in ancient Egyptian art as a symbol of pharaohs and gods, and is seen in classical Greek and Roman sculptures in scenes of battle. Its meaning is forever evolving, representing chivalry and honor in medieval Europe. In Rackham’s illustration, the sword is a link to a primal, heroic past. The act of offering the sword contains an emotional intensity, conveying Siegmund's courage and commitment. The symbolism is non-linear; each time the sword is depicted, it resurfaces and evolves, carrying with it echoes of past meanings while taking on new significance.