18-19th Century Emblem

This emblem most likely is French, from the late 18th or early 18th century. I cleaned it up a bit, enlarged it & made it into a duotone (2 toned image..

This image is loaded with symbolism, blending about 9 powerful symbolic images into one emblem. The torch is wisdom & enlightenment, the birds = sky -- open & spacious, and the serpents = sea -- deep & hidden. The combination of birds & snakes represents conflict of opposites, but held in check. The entwined snakes form a caduceus, the symbol of Hermes, who used his staff to separate 2 serpents (good and evil) locked in battle. It has come to represent peace, and also nature healing itself. .A cross can be seen in the intersecting of a horizontal staff of thorns with the upright torch. The entire shape with its curves and pointed bottom resembles a heart, and if you include the flame of the torch, it can be seen as the "Burning Heart of Jesus".

This carefully designed emblem could represent the battle between good (birds) and evil (serpents), but I think a more holistic interpretation is that it uses symmetry with the secret language of these symbols to become a statement about the importance & value of BALANCE.

The birds have the freedom and agility of flight --so they can attack the snakes' vulnerable tongues with precision. The snakes are firmly wrapped around the cross and have stability, with their sharp teeth and strong jaws ready. Either might strike the other -- but nature's design and balance of opposites may keep the two sides poised to attack for eternity, without a winner, and with peace ultimately prevailing..