Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

56 Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race[72]Entrance to Tumulus at New GrangePhotograph by R. Welch, BelfastThe Ship Symbol at New GrangeAnother remarkable and, as far as Ireland goes, unusual figureis found sculptured in the west recess at New Grange. It hasbeen interpreted by various critics as a mason's mark, a pieceof Phoenician writing, a group of numerals, and finally (and nodoubt correctly) by Mr. George Coffey as a rude representationof a ship with men on board and uplifted sail. It is noticeablethat just above it is a small circle, forming, apparently, part ofthe design. Another example occurs at Dowth.Solar Ship (with Sail?) from New Grange, IrelandThe significance of this marking, as we shall see, is possiblyvery great. It has been discovered that on certain stones in thetumulus of Locmariaker, in Brittany, 47 there occur a number ofvery similar figures, one of them showing the circle in much thesame relative position as at New Grange. The axe, an Egyptian47 “Proc. Royal Irish Acad.,” vol. viii. 1863, p. 400, and G. Coffey, op. cit. p.30.