Enigmatic Stones Of The Picts: Orkney’s Unique Stone With Dragon-Like Creature And Cross Carving

Ellen Lloyd - AncientPages.com - Carved stones represent a unique legacy of the Picts.

Many of them give evidence of the advanced skills of artists; some of the stones with very complex decorative motifs depict Christian crosses and crescents or birds or animals, both real and mythical.

This Pictish Cross Slab - estimated to be about 1,300-year-old - was found after a storm. Image credit: Dr Hugo Anderson-Whymark - Image source 

Generally, Pictish stones are carved (or incised) with symbols and different designs. They have been located north of the Clyde-Forth line and on the Eastern side of Scotland. The Pictish stones are undoubtedly historical evidence of the Picts' presence in this part of the country. Dated from the 6th to 9th century, a period during which the Picts became Christianized.

Approximately 350 objects categorized as Pictish stones have survived and have long fascinated scholars.

Image credit: UHI Archaeology Institute

In Orkney, the Picts carved the salmon, bull, deer, and birds, including the eagle and goose. There are also several other designs, such as the infamous Pictish Beast, other monsters-like figures, and "V-rod," "double disc and Z-rod," "mirror and comb," and "triple disc," of which meaning is unknown.

Many theories have tried to explain the Pictish symbols. Why were these enigmatic stones erected, and what was their significance?

Were they markers or perhaps commemoration stones related to people and events?

Several hundred carved Pictish stones have been found mainly in northern and eastern Scotland. Not long ago, another unique Pictish stone depicting a dragon-like creature and a cross carving was discovered after a storm in Orkney, Scotland.

Known as a Pictish cross-slab, it is only the third stone of this type to be found on the islands.

The stone is estimated to be about 1,300-year-old and has an intricately carved cross flanked by the dragon, or beast, and on the reverse side, there is another Pictish beast design staring out from the stone face, with beak open grasping what could be the remains of a staff.

Researchers say that carved Pictish cross-slabs are rare across Scotland, with only two being discovered in Orkney. Therefore, it is a significant find that can shed more light on a period in history when Orkney society began to embrace Christianity.

Some examples of the Pictish Stones:

Left: Front of Woodwrae stone, from Woodwrae, Angus, now on display at Museum of Scotland. Image credit: Catfish Jim and the soapdish - CC BY-SA 3.0; Middle: Hilton of Cadboll Stone (replica); Class II. Image uploader: Deacon of Pndapetzim - CC BY-SA 2.5; Right: Eagle Stone; Class I - Eagle Stone. Clach an Tiompain in Gaelic, this is a Class 1 incised stone, with a horseshoe symbol above an eagle. Image uploader: Anne Burgess - CC BY-SA 2.0

No detailed records of Pictish history survived. The mystery of the carved Pictish stones cannot be entirely explained. The stones were believed to be set up to record Pictish lineages and alliances, but no one knows how this intriguing Pictish system functioned.

Foster, Sally M. writes  in 'Picts, Gaels and Scots': "The Picts would definitely not hold the same place in the hearts of the world if their unique symbols did not exist.  Found in much of Pictland, and almost exclusively there, they comprise a range of diverse motifs that were placed on sculpted stones, cave walls, everyday objects and splendid jewellery.

Their precise meaning eludes us, although interpretations abound. But their distinct nature should not obscure the fact that they are but part of the Pictish artistic repertoire and that in most other respects the material culture of the Picts was little different from that of their neighbours, with whom they shared much in common.

In fact, the study of the ornament used in these symbols can contribute to placing Pictish art and society in a wider, more familiar context. Nonetheless, there remain overall many aspects of their art that make the Picts stand out from their European neighbours." ¹

Written by - Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com

Updated on December 20, 2022

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