The confluence of the Caledon and Orange Rivers, seen from the south-west Possibly 1777

This watercolor by Robert Jacob Gordon depicts the meeting of the Caledon and Orange Rivers. Notice how the confluence acts as a powerful symbol of convergence and transition. Rivers, often seen as arteries of life, embody the relentless flow of time and history. Consider the ancient Egyptian reverence for the Nile, or the Ganges in Hindu tradition – rivers are not merely geographical features, but sacred entities shaping civilizations. The act of two rivers merging can be seen reflected in countless other cultural expressions where duality and convergence are celebrated. Think of the Roman god Janus, a two-faced deity embodying beginnings and transitions. The confluence here is like a visual metaphor of life's journey, echoing through art and mythology across epochs. It reminds us that the past continually flows into the present, shaping our collective consciousness.