Gezicht op een deel van het keizerlijk zomerpaleis in Chengde (Jehol) te China 1712 - 1714

This is Matteo Ripa's rendering of the imperial summer palace in Chengde, China. Notice the traditional Chinese architecture, nestled harmoniously within the landscape, a scene etched with ink around the early 18th century. Here, water is not merely a body of water, but a profound symbol, a motif found across countless cultures and epochs. From ancient Egyptian creation myths where water represents the primordial void from which life emerges, to its role in Christian baptism as a rite of purification and rebirth. This notion of water as a life-giving force echoes even in the modern psyche. Think of the collective fascination with oceans, rivers, and springs, often linked to dreams of renewal and emotional cleansing. Water, in its many forms, captures our imagination, stirring something primal within us. It is a continuous thread, subtly shifting in meaning, yet eternally present.