Art Quote by A. H. SAYCE
““The same double-headed eagle, supporting the figure of a man or a god, is met with at Boghaz Keui, and must be regarded as one of the peculiarities of Hittite symbolism and art. The symbol was adopted in later days by the Turkoman princes, who had perhaps first seen it on the Hittite monuments of Kappodokia; and the Crusaders brought it to Europe with them in the 14th century. Here it became the emblem of the German Emperors, who have passed it on to the modern kingdoms of Russia and Austria. It is not the only heirloom of Hittite art which has descended to us of to-day.””
About This Quote
Describes the evolution of a double‑headed eagle symbol from Hittite art through Turkoman princes to European heraldry, linking it to modern empires.
In simple terms: Traces a symbol’s journey across cultures and eras.
Key Takeaway
Explore how ancient symbols influence modern identities.
Themes
history
symbolism
cross‑cultural transmission
Mood
historical
educational
Type
symbolic analysis
cultural study
When to use this quote
- museum curation
- historical research
- cultural education
Key Concepts
iconography
heritage
political legitimacy
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the symbol convey in each culture?
- How do symbols acquire new meanings?
A Different Perspective
Interpretations can vary across regions and time.
