XXXIV Rectum per dura carpit iter 1614

This emblem, crafted by Roemer Visscher around the turn of the 17th century, presents us with a frame saw cutting through a beam. The Latin motto, “Rectum per dura carpit iter”, tells us ‘the straight path cuts through hardship’. The saw, with its relentless forward motion, embodies the virtue of perseverance. It’s a symbol we see echoed through time, from Roman tools to medieval illustrations of craftsmanship, each instance carrying this idea of unyielding progress. Think of Fortuna, the Roman goddess of fortune, and her wheel. It represents the cyclical nature of fate, but our saw breaks that cycle, moving ever forward. The act of sawing, of cutting through resistance, speaks to a deeper psychological truth. The beam, the obstacle, represents the challenges of life. And the saw? It's our will, our determination to overcome. This emblem is not merely an image; it’s a mirror reflecting our own capacity for resilience and fortitude. This image, in its essence, is about the non-linear, cyclical progression of values, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings.