Desarrollo de Yi Ching 1953

In this painting by Xul Solar, titled "Desarrollo de Yi Ching," we see an array of symbols drawn from diverse cultural and spiritual traditions. The most prominent is the Yin and Yang symbol, representing duality and balance. The figures, seemingly floating on clouds or mountains, recall ancient deities or mythical beings. Consider the figure holding scissors and a chalice, evoking the Magician archetype, a motif present in tarot and alchemy, symbolizing transformation. This echoes images of Hermes Trismegistus, blending philosophy and magic. We can follow the evolution of these symbolic instruments from antiquity to the Renaissance, morphing through different interpretations yet retaining their core alchemical essence. The cyclical nature of these symbols, like the Yi Ching itself, highlights how cultural memory embeds itself in our collective psyche. Solar's work taps into a deep, subconscious level, engaging us with the timeless dance of symbols, resurfacing and transforming through history. The emotional power of these recurring motifs is not merely aesthetic; it's a potent, archetypal force.