The Picts were a tribal people who lived in Northern Britain and Scotland until about

a thousand years ago. Their language is lost, except for fragments, although they left
behind a wealth of "picture stones," large monoliths carved with mysterious symbols
whose meanings are mostly unknown. There are about fifty major symbols. Some
are easily identified as animals or mythical creatures; others are completely
mysterious, such as the "crescent and V-rod" and the "double disk." They may have
originated as tattoos or amulets.
Animals
Pictish animal signs may have been related to Gods and Goddesses, and included
boars, salmon, wolves, and birds:

Mythical creatures
Some of the most famous Pictish carvings are of monsters, mermaids, and other sea
creatures:

Enigmatic Symbols
Most unusual are the enigmatic symbols known as the "V-rod," "Z-rod," and "double
disks," all named for their unusual shapes. The V-rod is a bent arrow superimposed
on a crescent; it is thought by some to be a symbol of death:

The z-rod is found in combination with a serpent, a tomb/doorway, or a double-sun

(double disk), all possibly symbols of the solar cycle and the afterlife:
Mirrors
Another object commonly inscribed is the mirror, often paired with a comb. The comb
and mirror are symbols of female prestige, and usually denote a woman's memorial:

To view some examples pf Pictish symbols, see the Pictish Stones Gallery.

Stone with Pictish carvings

Fred Sandys, image of Morgan le Fey with pictish emblems, perhaps to underscore
her relation to the ancient goddess Morrigan.
Related Symbols:

Resources: