Inspired by the lichens in the Flora Batava and how they highlight the limitations of rigid classifications, this project explores concepts and ideas about modern biological discourse and discoveries. Through this I highlight the difference in context between when the book was originally released in the 19th century and it’s present manifestation, and how it’s function now seems more to do with artistic depictions, rather than being a relevant scientific text.This project delves into a paradigm shift that has been happening since the release of the original Flora Batava, exemplified through an exploration of lichens as a model for understanding symbiosis and the evolving definition of biological individuals. Drawing inspiration from the article “A Symbiotic View of Life” by Scott Gilbert along side others such as “A Queer theory of Lichens” by David Griffiths, the conversation looks into the transformative impact of lichen studies on our perception of the natural world, and by extension ourselves.Lichens are comprised of at least three different species in symbiosis and could be classified as plant, fungi or animal, and thus challenge traditional classification methods. From this research arises a conceptualization of individuals as holobionts, that is to say distinct ecological units formed through symbiosis, or in other words a meta-organism. However this discussion extends far beyond lichens, proposing that most macro organisms, including humans, are holobionts, composed of numerous microbial cells that form a symbiotic relationships, as well as our own cells actually being an ancient form of symbioses. This shift prompts us to reconsider humanities place within nature and encourages thinking beyond the confines of individuality, as well as providing a framework to perceive humans as holobionts that evolved in symbiosis and as integral components of a larger environmental holobiont.This project is a personal exploration of holobionts, by visually connecting my own bacterial flora with lichens and to create a self portrait as a lichen on rocks. In doing so I hope to explore my own identity as a holobiont and to encourage the audience to reflect upon themselves and recognize the interconnectedness that defines life on all scales from the micro to the macro. This project was created for the National Library of the Netherlands for the exhibition We Love Flora Batava, to celebrate the re-release of the Flora Batava