Toegangsportaal van de Sint-Laurentiuskapel van de kathedraal van Straatsburg before 1861

This photograph captures the entrance portal of the Saint-Laurent chapel in Strasbourg Cathedral. Dominating the doorway is a sculpture of a lion, a symbol often associated with strength and royalty, but also with Saint Mark. The lion motif transcends time, from ancient Mesopotamian art to the medieval heraldry of Europe. Initially, it represented royal power, but over time, it was reinterpreted in Christian art to symbolize Christ's resurrection and kingship. We see it even in modern brand logos, its primal power resonating with our subconscious desires for strength and authority. Here, this image evokes a deep, subconscious connection to ancestral power, engaging viewers on an emotional level far beyond its literal form. This cyclical progression demonstrates how symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings across different historical contexts.