Man Carring Ducks 1390 BC

This painted relief from ancient Egypt depicts a man carrying ducks, likely as an offering or provision for the afterlife. The ducks, rendered with careful detail, were potent symbols in ancient Egyptian culture, often associated with life, sustenance, and the divine. We see similar imagery in other cultures as well, the act of carrying animals as offerings is not unique to ancient Egypt. Take for example the Greek 'kriophoros', the ram-bearer, a motif linked to sacrifice and devotion that transcends time and echoes through early Christian art as a symbol of Christ. Here, the image seems charged with a longing for provision and perhaps a deeper, subconscious desire for renewal and rebirth. It's a motif that resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.