The 'Soldiers Holding Up Society' meme, also known as 'Silent Protector,' features an illustration of a few soldiers struggling to hold up a massive floor that supports a peaceful city above. It originated from an artwork by the artist wlop titled 'Guardians,' which was shared on DeviantArt in 2016. The image perfectly illustrates the concept of a small, unseen group performing grueling work to maintain the comfort and stability of the masses. It is widely used to represent IT professionals, niche open-source developers, or parents who sacrifice to provide for their families, often highlighting the disparity between the burden carried and the recognition received.