From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Pictish Beast (sometimes Pictish Dragon) is an artistic representation of an animal, and is depicted on Pictish symbol stones. It is not easily identifiable with any real animal, but resembles a seahorse, especially when depicted upright. Suggestions have included a dolphin, a kelpie (or each uisge) and even the Loch Ness Monster. The Pictish Beast comprises roughly 2 in 5 of all Pictish animal depictions, and so was obviously of great importance. The chances are that it was either an important figure in Pictish mythology, and/or a political symbol.
[edit] References
- Jones, Duncan, A Wee Guide to The Picts, (Musselburgh, 2003)
[edit] See also
