Griffins and Two Cupids Crossing Halberds, plate five of Twelve Ornament Panels c. 1505 - 1515

This engraving, crafted by Giovanni Antonio da Brescia in the early 16th century, teems with symbols of power and love. Note the griffins, ancient symbols of strength and guardianship, positioned below the playful cupids. The cupids themselves, crossing halberds—polearms combining spear and axe— traditionally emblems of military might, suggest an intertwining of love and martial prowess. Consider how the motif of crossed weapons appears across time. In antiquity, it symbolized conquered foes, yet here, it is wielded by cherubic figures. The act of crossing weapons may subconsciously evoke tension and conflict, yet the cupids’ presence softens this reading, hinting at the sublimation of aggression through love. Like a restless spirit, this imagery evolves, echoing through Renaissance ornament and beyond, reminding us that no symbol is ever truly static. Rather, it is continually reborn.