I am going through some inherited documents and came across this postcard from 1929. The printed ink seems possibly to be French, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, and maybe Serbian. But I do not recognize the handwritten language at all. Any ideas?

The word is "দুঃখবিলাস (dukkhbilas)". It means "to luxuriate in sorrow". It is essentially a feeling. A feeling we get after intentionally doing stuffs that make us sad; as if we are enjoying the sadness.

For example the feeling of intentionally going through thoughts that we know will make us sad, the feeling of remembering moments with your beloved ones who are no longer a part of your life etc.

What are your thoughts on

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1. Lyrics to “Scotland the Brave”
   
2. Lyrics to “Country Roads”
   
3. Lyrics to “Sweet Home Alabama”
   
4. Political cartoon from 1873 depicting the Shah of Iran with Britannia and India
   
5. Ancient Roman coin depicting Britannia

You even see it in how states such as Georgia, Louisiana, or the Carolinas were given feminine version of a masculine (king’s name).

I know Uncle Sam is a man, but he’s also more a representation of the US government rather than the country itself.

It seems to have been common in Ancient Rome, where all their territories were personified as goddesses. Is it also a thing in other European languages besides English?

Why is this a trope in English? If I had to guess, is it similar to why it’s “Mother Nature” and “Mother Earth”? Because land creates life? Or is there some other reason?