Lunetta Dei Cervi 425

This mosaic of two stags approaching a body of water decorates the lunette inside the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna, Italy. The image of the deer, a symbol deeply rooted in ancient mythologies, represents a soul thirsting for the waters of baptism, a theme prominent in early Christian art. But consider, if you will, how this very image echoes through time. We find it in the illuminated manuscripts of the medieval period and even in the secular hunting scenes of Renaissance tapestries. The deer—once a sacred messenger—becomes a mere quarry, a symbol of aristocratic prowess. And yet, the subconscious tug remains. The symbol resurfaces in our collective dreams, a primal connection to the natural world. These images persist, echoing and transforming through time, constantly re-emerging.