Excursion à Bruxelles de l'Association des ingénieurs sortis de l'École de Liége 1876

This is the title page of “Excursion à Bruxelles de l'Association des ingénieurs sortis de l'École de Liége” printed in 1876 by F. Hayez. The double swirl motif is a very old symbol: a variation on the ancient figure of the snake devouring its own tail—the Ouroboros. This emblem is far more than mere decoration. The Ouroboros has a deep-rooted history stretching back to ancient Egypt, Greece, and beyond. It signifies the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth, and in alchemy, it embodies the concept of self-sufficiency and wholeness. The snake's act of consuming itself illustrates an introspective journey, a symbol of continual return and recreation. Reflect on how the cyclical nature of engineering and progress could also be seen as a symbol of perpetual return and re-evaluation, as humanity builds upon past achievements while remaining mindful of the lessons learned. The past is ever-present.