Cathedral of Orizaba c. 19th century

Cadwallader Washburn created this print of the Cathedral of Orizaba. Notice the steeple, a beacon topped with a cross. The cross, a ubiquitous symbol of Christianity, signifies sacrifice, redemption, and faith. But let us trace its deeper roots. Long before Christianity, the cross appeared in various cultures as a symbol of the cosmos, representing the intersection of the earthly and the divine. In ancient Egypt, the ankh—a cross with a loop—represented life and immortality. This symbol migrated and morphed through time, resurfacing in the Christian cross. Here, the steeple directs our gaze skyward, evoking a sense of spiritual yearning. The cathedral's solid form, rendered with stark lines, anchors us to the earthly realm, a silent testament to the enduring power of faith and the cyclical nature of symbols.