such a great deep dive! Would love to think of a pair in that region, especially--there was so much happening in that part of Scotland at roughly that time...
Aside from all of the historical data, about which I have absolutely no clue, I do wonder if it might be possible that a second stone could have been complementary rather than identical. That there would have been something other than a cross on that side.
I don't think it could be the fish, bc that was a secret symbol of Christianity and wouldn't make much sense when paired with a cross right there in the open. But while there is only one Christ, he is supposed to be part of a trinity. I can't remember if there have been alpha/omega symbols or doves or whatever found on stones, but it seems like there should be something that could work as a companion to a cross. I
'm sure this is all reaching, but I really like the possibility of 2 stones, too. It appeals to both my fondness for symmetry and sense of grandeur, lol.
I guess your previous blog on Altyre rules out the possibility that it stood beside Sueno's Stone. That's a good observation about Auquhorthies on Pont.
While it's true nothing is certain, that's a little too much evidence against for my pragmatic brain. However, I must have more of a whimsical soul, bc I apparently can't completely smother a tiny spark of hope that something at least quasi-mystical turns up.
It's all that dramatic landscape, history and folklore. It's impossible to remain entirely pragmatic in the face of it, lol.
Was Sueno’s Stone originally one of a pair?
such a great deep dive! Would love to think of a pair in that region, especially--there was so much happening in that part of Scotland at roughly that time...
Aside from all of the historical data, about which I have absolutely no clue, I do wonder if it might be possible that a second stone could have been complementary rather than identical. That there would have been something other than a cross on that side.
I don't think it could be the fish, bc that was a secret symbol of Christianity and wouldn't make much sense when paired with a cross right there in the open. But while there is only one Christ, he is supposed to be part of a trinity. I can't remember if there have been alpha/omega symbols or doves or whatever found on stones, but it seems like there should be something that could work as a companion to a cross. I
'm sure this is all reaching, but I really like the possibility of 2 stones, too. It appeals to both my fondness for symmetry and sense of grandeur, lol.
I guess your previous blog on Altyre rules out the possibility that it stood beside Sueno's Stone. That's a good observation about Auquhorthies on Pont.
Fascinating and intriguing article Fiona.. Thanks.
<disappoint face>
While it's true nothing is certain, that's a little too much evidence against for my pragmatic brain. However, I must have more of a whimsical soul, bc I apparently can't completely smother a tiny spark of hope that something at least quasi-mystical turns up.
It's all that dramatic landscape, history and folklore. It's impossible to remain entirely pragmatic in the face of it, lol.