Badger, from the Quadrupeds series (N21) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

This late nineteenth-century lithograph by Allen & Ginter presents a badger amidst its natural habitat. Note the curious gaze of the animal, a symbol that has carried diverse meanings across cultures and throughout history. The badger, often associated with courage and tenacity, appears in folklore as a creature of the earth, embodying primal instincts. This connection echoes in ancient European traditions, where animal spirits held significant cultural weight. Consider the enduring image of the bear in tribal rituals—a symbol of strength and introspection—juxtapose it with the badger here. Over time, the badger, though less prominent than its ursine cousin, retains its symbolic resilience. It reminds us of the cyclical return of symbols, subtly reshaped yet fundamentally connected to our primal selves. This image is a part of our collective memory.