Order of Charles III, Spain, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph from the Kinney Tobacco Company displays the Spanish Order of Charles III. At its heart, we see a figure in prayer, framed by a cross adorned with fleur-de-lis—symbols rife with historical and religious significance. The cross, a pre-Christian symbol, was co-opted by Christianity to become its main emblem and is here surrounded by the lily flower, symbolizing French royalty and purity. These symbols transcend time and place. Think of the Celtic cross, its arms reaching to the heavens, or the fleur-de-lis gracing the banners of French kings. The figure in prayer, itself, is a universal plea for divine intervention. This symbol has been repeated in different variations across millennia. The emotional power of such symbols lies in their ability to evoke a deep, subconscious response, connecting us to a collective memory of faith and power. These symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings across different eras.