Our personal identity has always been rooted in symbols as anchors and metaphors of the story we create for ourselves and others. Wellbeing flourishes when our symbolic associations reflect authentic connections: to heritage, to community, to purpose, to the people and places that have genuinely shaped who we are. From our earliest days in nursery, colours and letters organised us into groups, giving us our first sense of collective identity and belonging. We learned that symbols carry stories: flags represent nations and logos embody legacies. The Lily of Florence with its elegant intricate design incorporates centuries of history, civic pride, and personal connection between my childhood and my hometown’s identity. My father’s company logo with his initials becomes more than a brand mark—it’s his legacy, aspiration, and the embodiment of values transmitted through the memories I hold of the time spent in his office, where I used to write on his typewriter machine. Each symbol we connect with becomes part of our internal landscape, shaping how we see ourselves and navigate the world.                

By Cristina Russo