The Conception 1906

This is Timothy Cole's "The Conception", rendered as a print. We see the Virgin Mary, surrounded by cherubic figures, afloat upon a crescent moon. This symbol, long associated with the Virgin, has roots stretching back to ancient lunar deities. The crescent moon has been a potent symbol of female divinity, fertility, and cyclical renewal. Think of Artemis, the Greek goddess, often depicted with a lunar crown. As Christianity absorbed earlier pagan symbols, the moon became emblematic of Mary's purity and her role as the "Queen of Heaven". This image powerfully engages our collective memory, evoking deeply embedded archetypes of motherhood and divine femininity. It speaks to the human longing for protection and grace, resonating across centuries and cultures. See how this symbol has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in differing historical contexts.