Familiewapen van de Medici in gedecoreerde lijst vergezeld door de personificaties van rechtvaardigheid en geloof 1617 - 1618

This engraving of the Medici coat of arms, made by Dietrich Kruger, presents us with a fascinating array of symbols. The six balls, or "palle," dominate the shield, their origin shrouded in myth—some say they represent dents from a giant's mace, others medicinal pills, reflecting the family's early profession as apothecaries. Note how the figures of Justice, with her sword and scales, and Faith, with her cross, flank the shield. These virtues were meant to legitimize and ennoble the Medici's rule. The fleur-de-lis above connects them to French royalty, a strategic nod to political alliances. Interestingly, the ball motif appears in various forms across cultures, from ancient Chinese pearls symbolizing wealth to celestial bodies in cosmological diagrams. Its recurrence speaks to a deep-seated human fascination with wholeness and unity, mirroring our psychological quest for integration. The Medici balls, therefore, are not merely heraldic devices but potent symbols engaging our collective memory and subconscious desires for power, health, and cosmic order. Their meaning transformed over time, reflecting the evolving ambitions and cultural milieu of the Medici dynasty.