The opening of the first four seals 975

Ende painted "The Opening of the First Four Seals", a dramatic image, using ink and colour on parchment in the 10th century. The most potent symbol here is the Lamb of God, 'Agnus Dei', a symbol of Christ's sacrifice. Above, the Lamb, carrying the cross, sits serenely while below, four horsemen of the Apocalypse unleash chaos. This echoes the classical motif of the hero on horseback but inverted; now, it signifies destruction. Notice the wheel-like halos above. These aren't just heavenly markers, they are symbols of cosmic forces, reappearing across cultures, from Vedic art to early Christian iconography. These symbols are not static; their meaning evolves, shaped by collective memory, each era reinterpreting them. The terror and salvation embedded in these symbols continue to engage us, proof of the image's enduring power. The wheel turns, and these age-old symbols resurface, carrying echoes of the past into the present.