Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1889

This unassuming postcard, sent to Philip Zilcken by Barbara Elisabeth van Houten in 1889, reveals much more than its simple utility suggests. At its upper left, we see the Dutch coat of arms, a clear symbol of national identity and sovereignty. This heraldic device connects to a long tradition of emblems that mark power and belonging. The lion, often present in such coats of arms, recurs throughout history, from ancient Mesopotamian standards to medieval European banners. Its appearance here echoes the primal, almost subconscious human need to identify with a collective, to find strength in unity. Observe, too, the stamp and postmark, small emblems of bureaucratic function. Consider how our modern world is filled with such symbols of order, each carrying weight from the past. They serve as a constant, almost unnoticed, connection to our shared cultural memory, perpetually shaping our perception of state and society. Such symbols endure, adapting and reappearing in our daily lives.