Overvaren met het voetveer op de rivier, Sumatra (Fähre) c. 1890 - 1900

This photograph by Stafhell & Kleingrothe captures a river crossing in Sumatra, with a raft carrying figures across the still water. The act of crossing a river is heavy with symbolism. The river, a boundary, represents both division and connection. This motif echoes in ancient mythologies and rituals worldwide, from the River Styx in Greek lore to the Ganges in Hinduism. The raft, a vessel of transition, carries its passengers from one state to another, laden with anticipation and uncertainty. Consider how water has always been a potent symbol of purification, rebirth, and transformation. Watery environments represent a threshold where the old self is left behind, and a new identity or understanding emerges on the opposite bank. This crossing thus becomes a powerful visual metaphor for life's journeys and the changes we must navigate. The image resonates with our deep-seated human understanding of life as a continuous flow, marked by constant crossings and transformations.