Sacramentsaltaar in de Sint Michaelkerk te Brussel 1662

This is an etching of the Sacrament altar in the Sint Michael church in Brussels, made by Petrus Clouwet in the 17th century. Dominating the altar’s structure, you'll see a sunburst or radiant halo that surrounds the Holy Sacrament. This is a key symbol of divine light and the presence of God. The sunburst motif is far from unique to Christian iconography. In ancient Egypt, the sun disc was a symbol of divine power, representing the god Ra. This symbol appears again in the Hellenistic period, associated with gods like Apollo, also representing enlightenment. The re-emergence of such motifs illustrates a fascinating phenomenon. Ancient symbols resurface, adapted to new cultural and religious contexts, bearing witness to humanity’s enduring quest for meaning and connection with the divine. The persistence of this symbol speaks to a shared subconscious—a collective memory that transcends time. It is a powerful force, engaging us on a deep, psychological level, reminding us of our connection to past generations, and our continuous negotiation with symbols that have shaped human consciousness.