View of a market, Bengal, India 1863 - 1867

Samuel Bourne captured this view of a Bengal market in India with his camera in the late 19th century. The scene is dominated by a large banyan tree, its aerial roots forming a lattice that seems to both support and envelop the market. The banyan, or 'vat', is a potent symbol deeply rooted in Indian culture, representing eternal life and shelter. It appears in countless narratives, from sacred texts to local folklore, often depicted as a meeting place and a site of community. We see echoes of this symbolism in other cultures, too. Consider the Tree of Life, a motif stretching back to ancient Mesopotamia. It represents cosmic order and connection between the earthly and divine realms. It resurfaces across different cultures and epochs, each time adapting to its new cultural landscape, mirroring the banyan tree's expansive growth. These trees tap into a primal, collective memory – our shared, subconscious understanding of nature as a source of life and unity. This image evokes a sense of timelessness and continuity, a reminder of the enduring power of symbols that connect us to the past.