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

This card, produced by Kinney Bros., presents us with a portrait of King Luís I of Portugal, surrounded by potent symbols of nation and faith. Most striking is the Cross of the Order of Christ, a symbol deeply entwined with Portuguese history, evoking the age of exploration and the crusading spirit. The cross, originally a symbol of sacrifice and redemption, here transforms into an emblem of national identity and power. This appropriation reminds us of the swastika, which began as a symbol of well-being, only to later become associated with one of humanity's darkest chapters. Like the figures in dreams, the symbols in this card remind us how collective memory and subconscious processes are always at play in interpreting visual imagery. The cross, the flag, and the royal portrait do not merely represent Portugal; they evoke a complex web of historical associations, emotions, and aspirations, engaging the viewer on a visceral level. Symbols such as these resurface through history, evolving and taking on new meanings, in a cyclical dance across time.