Wapen van Van Twist 1755

Willem de Groot created this watercolor depiction of the Van Twist family crest sometime in the 18th century. The shield is emblazoned with three ostrich legs, each severed at the thigh. This curious symbol speaks volumes about the power of heraldry to encapsulate a family’s identity and aspirations. The ostrich, often linked to strength and endurance, has its symbolism complicated by the dismembered legs. These legs evoke both sacrifice and resilience. We see echoes of this motif in other contexts: severed limbs appear in ancient myths, like the story of Pelops, whose shoulder was replaced by ivory, signifying renewal after dismemberment. Even in religious iconography, we see similar themes of sacrifice and redemption. The Van Twist crest, in its starkness, confronts us with a primal image. Perhaps it speaks to the family's fortitude. Like the ouroboros, the snake that eats its own tail, these symbols create a non-linear, cyclical progression. The image resurfaces and evolves, each time taking on new meanings.