Browse Items (1082 total)

pictish-fish.jpg
The fish symbol is also known as the Salmon, it may be symbolic of wisdom and prophecy.

Salmon figure prominently in Celtic mythological tales, they often inhabited the sacred wells, feeding on the fruits (often, hazelnuts) of the tree of life.

GB-for-book-of-Kells.png
digitized imaged from George Bain, Celtic Art, Methods of Construction, design taken from The Book of Kells.

pictish-snake-symbol1.jpg
The serpent or snake, is thought to be a symbol of medicine and healing, although this is unknown.

The snake symbol can also be found with a Z-rod through it.

back-cross-together - reverse colour.jpg
Featuring interlace and four bosses. Surrounded by a key pattern border.

double disc and z-rod1.jpeg
Beneath the double disc and Z-rod is a double sided comb.

crescent with knotting1.jpg
Underneath the Crescent with interlace, the symbols may be the back and front of a mirror, alternatively the larger one may be a mirror case.

mirror and comb.jpg
Another object commonly inscribed on Pictish stones is the mirror, often paired with a comb.

The comb and mirror are thought to be symbols of female wealth and prestige, and may denote a woman’s memorial, although they are also heavily associated…

DDZROD.jpg
The double disc is a Pictish symbol of unknown meaning, that is frequently found on Class I and Class II Pictish stones, as well as on Pictish metalwork. The symbol can be found with and without an overlaid Z-rod (also of unknown meaning), and in…

Rectangular Motif and Z-rod.jpg
This symbol is known as the rectangular Motif and Z-Rod, again, this Pictish symbol is of unknown meaning.

Also sometimes a square shaped motif with Z-rod symbol is represented.

It is thought that the rectangle in the centre of the lower…

Serpent & Z Rod..jpg
The serpent or snake, is thought to be a symbol of medicine/healing, although this is unknown.

The Z-rod, like the V-rod, may represent a broken arrow or spear, but again this is a Pictish symbol of unknown meaning.

Rectangle with Tripple Disc.jpg
The triple disc is a Pictish symbol of unknown meaning, that is found on Class I and Class II Pictish stones.

The symbol is found in various combinations with other symbols, notably with the crescent and v-rod. The symbol is constructed from a…
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