The "dragon" graffito that the Norse vandals scratched onto the walls of Maes Howe in Orkney [along with a load of other rather impressive runes] when they broke into the tomb. Do it now at say Stonehenge and you'd be up in court on a charge of desecration of an ancient monument. The most popular theory is that it is the dragon of paganism being slaughtered by the Christian crusader. I don't offer up any of my own thoughts on the matter save that he looks rather more like a canine to my eyes. Maybe we're just all over intellectualising it and it was just somebody's pet pooch! I expected him to be huge, but the original only reaches the heady heights of 2"! I bought the picture whilst there as a momento of our visit last summer.
Arilx
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We were staggered by the Runes at Maes Howe when we visited, as you say - yesterday's graffiti is today's historic treasure!
ReplyDeleteIt is a very special place isn't it even setting aside the rather sanitised tourist aspect to the place. Tomb of the Eagles has an amazing atmosphere and is far less adulterated. Arilx
DeleteYou're right, it's the least dragon-like dragon that I've ever seen..... and as for the seagull...
ReplyDeleteI adore this picture
ReplyDeleteI loved it too the minute I clapped eyes on it!
DeleteArilx