Easter in the Old World Barnyard, from Puck 1895

This chromolithograph, made by Joseph Keppler, presents a satirical scene from the turn of the century. Here, the dominant symbol is the egg, a universal emblem of birth and renewal, particularly potent during Easter, juxtaposed with a barnyard of roosters representing various nations. Observe how the newly hatched chick emerges from an egg labeled "China-Japan War." The egg, an ancient symbol, evolves from pagan rituals of spring to Christian celebrations of resurrection. Here, it is laden with political meaning, connoting the birth of conflict. The surrounding roosters, adorned with national markers like "England" and "Germania", embody the restless nationalism of the era. These figures strike a chord deep within our collective psyche, evoking the primal instincts of territory and dominance. The cartoon reflects how symbols are never static; they morph and adapt, carrying the weight of history and the anxieties of the present, in an endless cycle of cultural reinterpretation.