De Harelemmer-Poort, opharen tooren prat, / Praald dus aan Amstels handel stad. / Hier in 'deeze 'aangenaamen oord, / Vertoond aich de zaag-molen poort 1791 - 1812

This print, made by Jacobus Thompson, depicts the Haarlemmer-Poort in Amsterdam. Note the prominent windmills, their arms reaching skyward. These are not merely functional structures; they are powerful symbols of Dutch ingenuity and prosperity during the Golden Age. Consider how the windmill, in its ceaseless turning, echoes the cyclical nature of time and the turning of fortune's wheel. We find similar motifs across cultures, from the prayer wheels of Tibetan Buddhism to the ever-spinning cosmos depicted in ancient astronomical charts. It’s a persistent symbol of energy and transformation. Yet, the windmill is not merely a machine. It harnesses the wind, an elemental force, and transforms it into productive energy. This act of harnessing nature, of bending it to human will, has deep psychological resonance. It speaks to our collective desire to control our environment, to impose order upon chaos. The image evokes a sense of national pride and industriousness. It's a potent emblem that resonates even today.