Pictish art is a real mystery.  We have little idea of the meanings of the symbols, animals and patterns carved into the stone slabs, or why the stones were erected.

Some believe every shape carved on a Pictish stone has meaning, while others believe that some shapes are just pictures.

Many archaeologists believe the Pictish stones were gravestones or monuments to commemorate people. The latest argument published says they cannot be monuments because they do not name individuals - there are not enough symbols to represent names. They might represent social status, or a person’s job, warrior or poet.

However, if this was the case all the stones would mean is 'here is a warrior' or 'here is a poet'. No known society records only the job and position of an individual without naming them.

The most recent theory is that the symbols represents the various clans and lineages which made up the Picts with the stones showing alliances between the groups.

It could also be that each symbol represented a mystical power which the community leaders claimed to have. Through this claim they maintained political power.