Siam, from the International Cards series (N238), issued by Kinney Bros. 1888

This commercial card from the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company presents Siam, now Thailand, through potent symbols. Dominating the imagery is the white elephant, a sacred emblem in Siamese culture, representing royalty, power, and prosperity. The white elephant motif appears across various cultures, from ancient Hindu mythology, where the elephant Airavata is the mount of the god Indra, to its adoption as a symbol of divine kingship in Southeast Asian Buddhist traditions. Its veneration stems from the belief that the Buddha's mother dreamed of a white elephant before his birth, thus associating the animal with purity and spiritual significance. Observe how the white elephant is rendered here, elevated on flags and adorning the 'Order of the White Elephant'. This isn't merely a depiction; it's a declaration of cultural pride and identity, carefully curated for a Western audience. The emotional weight of this symbol, passed down through generations, engages viewers on a subconscious level, evoking a sense of exoticism and reverence. This symbol’s cyclical journey from religious icon to cultural emblem illustrates its enduring power, resurfacing and evolving across time and space.