Portret van Anna Charlotta Jansson ofwel Lotten Hellander before 1879

This photograph captures Anna Charlotta Jansson, or Lotten Hellander, in a small, intimate frame. It's a portrait of a woman adorned with symbols of her time, the late 19th century. Notice the brooch at her collar: circular in design, echoing ancient solar symbols. This form, a circle with a central point, has appeared in countless cultures, representing wholeness, the self, and even divine presence. It's a simple yet potent motif. We can trace this symbol's lineage from ancient sun disks of Egypt to the mandalas of Eastern spiritual traditions. Each age imbues it with new layers, new significations. Yet, at its core, it remains a signifier of unity, a reflection of the self mirrored across millennia. The repetition of this symbol in the earrings and necklace draws focus to the individual’s personal wholeness. This circular motif speaks to our subconscious, a familiar echo from humanity's collective memory. It's a reminder that symbols are not static, they evolve, resurface, and adapt, binding us to those who came before.