The Soulherder meme originates from the artwork of a Magic: The Gathering card illustrated by the renowned artist Seb McKinnon for the Modern Horizons set released in 2019. The image depicts a towering, ethereal entity composed of numerous wispy limbs and a haunting visage looming over a small, vulnerable figure. Due to its striking and atmospheric composition, the art quickly transcended the trading card community to become a popular 'object labeling' meme. It is typically used to represent a massive, inescapable force—such as student loans, social anxiety, or a boss's expectations—overshadowing an individual or their simple goals. The juxtaposition of the grand, ghostly figure and the tiny human captures the feeling of being overwhelmed by circumstances beyond one's control.