Petrus de apostel 1549 - 1582

This anonymous engraving portrays Peter the Apostle, identifiable by the keys he holds. These aren’t merely mundane keys; they are the symbolic Keys of Heaven, signifying the power to bind and loose, a concept deeply rooted in early Christian theology. Peter's keys resonate with images of Janus, the Roman god of doorways and transitions, who also bore keys, albeit to earthly gates. Over time, Peter’s keys evolved into a potent emblem of papal authority, often depicted on papal coats of arms, symbolizing the unbroken chain of apostolic succession. The keys also evoke a psychological tension, a subconscious struggle between the desire for access and the fear of what might be revealed upon unlocking those hidden chambers. Notice, the halo that surrounds Peter's head. This ring of light, a universal symbol, denotes divinity or spiritual illumination and has appeared across cultures, from ancient sun gods to enlightened Buddhas. It is not a linear progression, but a continuous, cyclical return of archetypes, each time reinterpreted and imbued with new meaning.