Norman J. Penny - pictish-mithraism.com

A suggestion has been put forward (by W A Cummins) that combinations of symbols or symbol sets
can be interpreted as components of names memorialising, for example, Pictish Kings. By applying
the multiple meaning principle in the current writing it would be unreasonable to dismissively
substitute one proposition with another. Therefore, the symbol groups could also be construed to
represent names.
At minimum, in the context of Pictish Mithraism, some typical symbol groups show the Enticement
(in the V-Rod), the explanation of Mithras, Cautes and Cautopates (in the Z-Rod) and one Mithraic
Grade (Nymphus in the case of the Mirror symbols). Examples of groups of two are the Brandsbutt
Stone, Aberdeenshire; Elgin Cathedral; Aberlemno: and of three are the Picardy Stone, Insch; Clach
Ard, Skye.
Stone Groups
The prospect of Stones being in sets or groups with specific geographic proximity is rather
speculative, not least as we are only now considering the proposed Mithraic use of the Stones.
However, if the users of the Stones used them to take initiates through the Mithraic Grades then
maybe some Stones were used for, say, higher ladder grades. This is not dissimilar to the
relationship of Christian parish churches to cathedrals. Stones are clustered in many areas for
example Glamis / Eassie / Tealing / Wester Denoon / Kirriemuir; Craigton / Dunrobin / Golspie;
Brandsbutt / Kintore / Drimmies / East Balhaggardy /Logie ElphinStone; Knocknagael / Lochardil /
Torgorm.
A topic worthy of more exploration and deciphering which the author intends to pursue.
Christian Cross
These should not be regarded only as being what they are and nothing else. There is the possibility
of symbol concealment in the cross itself. For example where the vertical and horizontal parts of the
cross intersect some Stones show a circle at each junctions – 4 in all. These could be an allusion to
the 4 elements (air, water, sea, fire) or four “winds” of the Moon. These Class 2 Stones tend to have
well executed and sometimes more stylised versions of the symbols seen on Class 1 Stones. The
author proposes that the carving on the Class 2 Stones (with Christian Crosses) allowed for a
transition between Pictish Mithraism and Christianity. This is similar to the way in which
Christianity was transitioned as the state religion in the Roman Empire period.
Ogham Inscriptions
Also known as Ogam or Oghams, these are inscribed on a few Pictish Stones – they are much less
rare outside Pictland especially in Ireland, Wales and south west England. Clear examples are on
Brandsbutt, Dyce, Newton, Brodie and Ackergill Stones.
Supposedly in use (especially around the Irish Sea) around the 5 th and 6 th centuries but reportedly
inscribed on Pictish Stones in the 7 th and 8 th centuries there seems no reason to assume that the
Oghams were inscribed in the same time period as the Class 1 Stones were built. The style and depth
of the incisions is different from the early Pictish Stone carving style. The author proposes that the
Oghams were added to the, then, existing Stones and may have no direct connection with the
initial purpose of the Stones. This secondary use could be commemorative, burial headstone etc.
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