Hal in Palace of Westminster before 1869

Here we see Hal in the Palace of Westminster in a photograph by John Harrington, capturing the architectural grandeur of the building. The arches—repeated in this construction—are not merely structural; they are symbolic. As a motif, the arch has bridged cultures and epochs since antiquity. Think of the Roman aqueducts, or the gates of Babylon, all the way to the Gothic cathedrals which lift our gaze towards the heavens. These arches speak of aspiration and transcendence. But consider the arch as a portal. Here, it suggests not just a passage through space, but a connection through time. This form elicits a psychological response, subtly echoing the subconscious human desire to create order and continuity. The play of light and shadow within these arches adds another layer. Light, traditionally a symbol of knowledge and divine presence, filters through, creating a dance that engages the viewer's emotions on a deep, subconscious level. Each repetition of the archway is not just a design element but a resurgence of an ancient symbol.