Christus nadert Jeruzalem 1629

Christoffel van Sichem II created this woodcut depicting Christ's entry into Jerusalem. Dominating the scene is Jesus, mounted on a donkey, framed by the city's gates and adoring crowds, his head adorned with a halo. The motif of a leader riding a donkey carries profound symbolism, echoing images of kingship and peace from antiquity through the Middle Ages, and even today, politicians seeking to project an image of humility may echo this motif. The halo, a visual symbol of divinity, finds its roots in ancient sun worship, adopted by Christianity to signify holiness. Here, it marks Christ as sacred and divine, a continuation of earlier beliefs and the psychological need to visualize the divine. This symbol has undergone a fascinating metamorphosis, appearing in myriad forms and contexts across cultures. Ultimately, these symbols are not static; instead, they evolve, resurface, and are imbued with new meanings, mirroring our collective memory and subconscious desires.