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Pictish symbols
The Picts used unusual symbols in their decoration. The symbols were geometric and of wild beasts. They were used on stones, jewellery and decorative objects. It is not always clear what the meanings of the symbols are. Sometimes there are several explanations about what a symbol might mean.
Here are several different opinions on what the symbols Double disc, Mirror and Z-rod might mean. Read each and decide which one you agree with.
THE MIRROR SYMBOL
OPINION 1
聭Some stories in olden days talk about mirrors reflecting a person聮s soul. So I think the mirror symbol means the soul.聮
OPINION 2
聭I read in a book that the mirror symbol means a family tree. When you see two symbols side by side and one is a mirror, it means the two families are to marry.聮
OPINION 3
聭I think the mirror symbol shows the stone is talking about a woman. So the mirror means a woman.聮
OPINION 4
聭I don't know the real answer. We don't know enough about the people who
made the symbols to tell.聮
Which of the opinions do you agree with?
Z - ROD
OPINION 1
聭I think it was like crossing someone聮s name out. So when it appears over another symbol it means that person is dead.聮
OPINION 2
聭I read that the Z was in fact two V shapes together. The V shape meant a broken arrow which symbolised the death of someone. So the Z shape means the same thing, a death.聮
OPINION 3
聭I don聮t really think they mean anything. I think the craftsmen just liked the design and used it as a decoration.聮
OPINION 4
聭The symbol was made a very long time ago and we just can't tell what it
means. It was probably very different from the other answers.聮
Which of the opinions do you agree with?
DOUBLE DISC
OPINION 1
聭It is obvious to me that the double discs are wheels, probably chariot wheels.聮
OPINION 2
聭I have been reading about how the early people worshipped the sun. So I think the double disc has something to do with that.聮
OPINION 3
聭I think it had something to do with people聮s names. It was like the hieroglyphics that the Egyptians used.聮
OPINION 4
聭The other opinions are just guesses. We really can't tell. We'd need other
evidence to know what the double disc means.聮
Which of the opinions do you agree with?
听
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