File:Netherlands-4423 - Amsterdam City Orphanage (12082785565).jpg

English: The sign above the entrance says:

We grow fast in numbers and in burdens, our Father's second mourning, Do not go forth through this gate, without helping us to carry some of these burdens.

This was the Amsterdam city orphanage.

The sign depicts eight orphans around a pigeon, which is the symbol of the Holy Ghost.

The lines beneath are from our famous poet; Vondel. Their meaning or purpose is to evoke gifts for the orphanage from the people who pass underneath the sign.

The part that says "we grow fast in number and sorrow" refers to the plague that had tortured Amsterdam at the time and had caused many children to lose their parents. "Our Father's Second Mourning" , is what it supposed to say, the City was in mourning because of the plague.

Not every orphan was allowed in, only the children of "Poorters" were allowed. A Poorter is a Citizen of Amsterdam, so it was an orphanage for the elite. Boys were thought a trade, girls were thought how to sow. There were strict rules and instruction on behavior and the orphans wore a distinct black and red uniform. The orphanage itself was quite wealthy, it had vast lands and the money coming from that made them largely financially independent.

The sign above the gate was made by Joost Jansz. Bilhamer of Joost Janszoon Beeldsnyder."