The Icon and the Axe

"The Icon and the Axe" by Erich Neumann explores how symbols shape human consciousness. The "icon" represents the universal, collective images and meanings that influence cultures and individual identities. The "axe" symbolizes tools and active endeavor, embodying human effort to transform and shape the world. Together, they highlight the dynamic between inherent symbols (icons) and practical action (axe), illustrating how mythic symbols guide personal growth and cultural development through both internal understanding and external activity. The work emphasizes the deep connection between spiritual symbols and human creativity and initiative.