What of the Pictish Stone Creatures' Orientations? opus 599
| 29 June 2025 1605 Hours | | Art, Anatomy, History |
Having observed the many Pictish carved standing stones,
Created from about 500 AD to 800 AD in Northern Scotland,
I have often questioned the reason, most creature figures face to the right.
Although there probably is no correct answer,
There could be several reasons just why this had occurred.
Concerning cultural significance, such orientation may have symbolized
A connection to the afterlife or spiritual beliefs.
Perhaps it was due only to a common artistic convention.
Would a symbolic direction represent positive attributes or good fortune?
Perhaps there was a narrative flow or some historical influence.
Right-facing figures might have been part of certain rituals or ceremonies.
Finally, as most humans (90%) have been right-handed,
Their figures follow a flow of the eye from left to right.
Whatever caused this orientation, and without a true written language,
We may never know,
But instead must continue to marvel in their stone-carved figures.