There is an ancient Greek saying that "the sea can wash away all evils"... and a wide range of cultures have sacralized the sea, trusting in its power to wash away what is dangerous, dirty, and morally contaminating. The sea makes life on land possible by keeping it "pure." In this particular photo, footprints are in the process of slowly washing away with the incoming tide. Shortly after, all traces that a couple walked by will have vanished from sight... only the memory remains.
