Ommegang procession on the Meir in Antwerp

This painting is an allegoric representation of the Antwerp Ommegang. This Antwerp parade originated in a medieval religious procession. Ommegangen were organized on public holidays. The same floats were also used on the occasion of the Joyous Entry of new sovereigns. Various cultures and social groups featured in the ommegang: religious and profane culture, elite and popular culture, different professional groups, guilds and the corporations known as 'naties'.
Although the composition of the Ommegang differed annually, it also included permanent features, like the giants. Other traditional floats were the whale (mentioned since 1570), the elephant (mentioned since 1483) and the ship (mentioned since 1520).