I first heard this phrase in the Lars von Trier film Antichrist back in 2009. Willem Dafoe comes across an injured fox in the forest who sits up and says “Chaos Reigns”.
It’s a dark film, but I found this moment memorable. Potentially in part because I can’t resist a talking fox, but I also think the juxtaposition between chaos and our desire for control is interesting to consider.
There will always be things that cannot be controlled, but I think accepting that can create a kind of freedom. It’s somewhat liberating to let go of the things we can’t control and accept that chaos exists.
I felt that it was time to put it on a t shirt as a gentle and hopeful reminder that ultimately Chaos Reigns, and if we stop using our energy to fight it and find a way to do good alongside it then perhaps there is also space for harmony.
