Oeconomische Tak van de Hollandsche Maatschappij der Wetenschappen, draagteken van de voorzitter van de vergaderingen 1778

This silver badge, worn by the chairman of the Dutch Society of Sciences, is a constellation of symbols – an anchor, caduceus, and tools representing craftsmanship. These emblems speak of trade, knowledge and the mastery of skills, essential to Dutch society. Consider the caduceus: a staff with entwined serpents and wings. Its roots lie in Greek mythology with Hermes, the messenger god, and it has long been associated with commerce, negotiation, and wisdom. One can find its echo in the Rod of Asclepius, a symbol of medicine, reminding us that healing and knowledge were intertwined. Observe how the imagery has evolved through time, shifting from divine attributes to secular symbols of industry. The anchor, originally a Christian symbol of hope, now represents maritime power and stability, the lifeblood of the Netherlands. These are not just images, but emotive forces engaging us on a deep, subconscious level. The badge reflects a collective memory, a powerful psychological connection to ancestral achievements. Symbols such as these have a non-linear, cyclical progression, resurfacing in new forms and contexts, each time colored by the prevailing spirit of the age.