Wapenschild van Thomas Parker, graaf van Macclesfield 1725

Bernard Picart created this engraving of the coat of arms of Thomas Parker, Earl of Macclesfield, around 1725. The symbols in this heraldic design offer a glimpse into the enduring power of imagery and the weight it carries across time. Note the crowned leopards, ancient symbols of courage and nobility, which flank the Parker family shield. These regal creatures, with their spotted coats, might recall the lions of Mycenae, guardians of the Lion Gate, emblems of power dating back millennia. Though separated by centuries, both evoke primal strength, a visual echo resonating through the ages. Here, the family's motto, "Sapere Aude"—dare to know—appears beneath the shield. This call for knowledge aligns with the enlightenment values of Picart's time. Yet, it also stirs echoes of ancient wisdom traditions, where courage and knowledge were eternally linked. The cyclical journey of symbols reminds us that history is never truly linear but rather a continuous dance of resurrection and transformation.