Contents

Welcome to www.pictishsymbolstones.com which has four main themes:

• Decoding the carvings in the context of beliefs – in particular Pictish Symbols representing a form of Mithraism
• Introducing Pictish-Mithraism™ – which the author proposes was a belief developed from Roman Mithraism
• Demonstrating that the surfaces of Stones were successfully used as a “shared space” with carvings reflecting different beliefs
• Exploring the “transition” from Pictish-Mithraism to Christianity including a prospective timeframe

Pictish Symbol Stones

• Pict, Pictland and Pictish
• Locations of Pictish Symbol Stones – an over-view
• Pictish Symbol Stones – Objects by Location

Carvings and Beliefs

• Beliefs – what are they?
• Mithraism and Pictish Symbols
  • Mitra, Mithra, Mithras – who were they?
  • Temples of Mithras 
  • Discovery of the Connection – Mithras Belief / Pictish Symbols
  • Pictish-Mithraism – the name
• Christian Crosses and Biblical Stories
  • Saints and Stones
• Celtic Animals, Birds and Fish
• Stones with Ogham Texts

Pictish Symbols Decoded – & more

• Carvings on the Stones – Research Approach
  • Looking for Designs 
  • Categorising the Carvings – some structure
  • Symbol Stone Objects – Numerical Analyses
• Mithraic Symbols – Identified and Decoded
  • Mithraic Symbols – Drawn Designs
    • Persian Ring
  • The “Open-Air” Mithraeum
• Non-Mithraic Objects – Identified & Recorded
• The Origin of Pictish-Mithraism?
• Builders & Worshippers – a Roman connection?
• Locations of Roman Army Establishments in Pictland
• Symbol Stones near Roman Army Establishments
• Stones, Eagles and The Roman Army – a Connection?
• Stones, Boars and a Roman Legion – a Connection?
• What the “stayers” created – Symbols and a Legacy

Shared Space for different beliefs

• Investigations into “Shared Space” Belief Combinations

  • 1   –   Mithraic + Celtic
  • 2   –   Mithraic + Christian
  • 3   –   Celtic + Christian
  • 4   –   Mithraic + Celtic + Christian
  • 5   –   Single Belief
• Observations and Discussion
  • Pictish Symbol Stones – Case Studies
• Was a Shared Space Successfully Enabled?
  • Changes in Beliefs – Bigger Picture
  • Places for Worship
• “Shared Space” booklet

Artistic Techniques

This section considers those Artistic Techniques used in structuring and positioning Symbols on Stones.

• Design and Construction of Individual Objects
• Relative Positioning
• Associated Meanings
• Hypothetical Stone
• Highlights of Artistic Techniques

Pictish “Transition” Stones

• Physical Locations of Pictish Symbol Stones
  • Class 2 Stones – Physical Locations
  • Locations of Class 1 and 2 Stones – Differences & Similarities
  • Class 2 Symbol Stones – Map
• Class 2 Stones – a Detailed Exploration
  • “Strength” of relationship of beliefs between carved objects 
• Features of Class 2 Stone Locations
  • Stones by, in or near water
  • Stones in raised or open area
  • Stones at or near a church
  • Association with a Saint’s name
• Pictish Belief “Transition” Dating a Timeframe
• Evaluations and Comments
  • Synopsis and Evaluation by Stone
  • Bigger Picture
  • Some Comments
  • Achieving Change – some thoughts
• “Transition” Stones – Conclusions
• Pictish “Transition” Stones booklet

Dating “Transition”

• Part 1 – Initial Focus on Angus and Perth & Kinross
• Part 2 – Saints of Scotland – Creating a Consolidated List
• Part 3 – Saints of Scotland – Assessing their Influence in Dating “Transition”
• Part 4 – Monastic Houses in Scotland – Assessing their Influence in Dating “Transition”
• Part 5 – Outcome – A Prospective Timeframe for Belief “Transition”
  • Styles of Crosses – a dating sequence indicator?

Freemasonry – a link?

Wondering if there might be a link between Freemasonry and Pictish-Mithraism an additional page was added on 10 December 2024 inviting feedback – especially from Freemasons.

Author, Bibliography and Copyright

• Booklets, Pamphlets & Articles

Contact the Author

The author can be emailed directly at normanjpenny@gmail.com

Header shows part of Rossie Priory, Perthshire Class 2 Stone.