The archaeology and prehistoric annals of Scotland . , sometimes, as in this case,intersecting two circles decorated within with foliated lines, andunited most frequently by tw^o reversedcurves, or occasionally intertwined with aserpent. Along with these, there is alsooften introduced a crescent-shaped device—the favourite emblem of Druidical theor-ists—intersected by a V figure, more orless floriated, as on St. Orlands Stone atCossins,^ the Aberlemno Cross,^ and manyothers. Ingenious theorists have recognisedin these the initial Z, L, S, of Zodiacus, Sol,and Luna, and the key to a whole syste
The archaeology and prehistoric annals of Scotland . , sometimes, as in this case,intersecting two circles decorated within with foliated lines, andunited most frequently by tw^o reversedcurves, or occasionally intertwined with aserpent. Along with these, there is alsooften introduced a crescent-shaped device—the favourite emblem of Druidical theor-ists—intersected by a V figure, more orless floriated, as on St. Orlands Stone atCossins,^ the Aberlemno Cross,^ and manyothers. Ingenious theorists have recognisedin these the initial Z, L, S, of Zodiacus, Sol,and Luna, and the key to a whole systemof mystical enigmas ! Another figure whichoccurs on the Dunnichen Stone has beendiscovered to be the Atf, or high cap ofthe Egyptian Osiris surmounted by alotus! The same combination of symbols,however, is engraved on one of the remark-able silver relics found at Norries Law,Fifeshire, as shewn here the same size asthe original. From this there can be nodoubt that it represents an animals, pro-and this is equally apparent on one of the crosses. bablv a doa-s, head Sculptured Monuments of Angus, Ilate x^. •^ Ibid , Plate V. oOO THE CHinSTlAN PERIOD. in the cliurchyard of Meigle, and also on what is called King Mal-colms grave-stone at Glammis, where the same figure accompaniesthe two-handed mirror. A writer in the Arcliroological Journal men-tions having met with an almost precisely similar ornament to one ofthese symbols on Gnostic gems and coins bearing cabalistic inscrip-tions ; and hence he is led to think that the carvings on the reversesides of these stones may have been intended to refer to the perpetualconflict between the Cross on the one hand, and false doctrines andworldly pursuits on the other. The Gnostic emblem being intendedas an indication of the former of these principles, counteracting andopposing the spreading of the doctrines of the Cross, and the scenesof the chase (so frequently accompanying these sculptured emblems)as indicating the latter.! Such ab
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1850, bookidarchaeologyp, bookyear1851
