Pagan Symbols of the Picts: The Symbology of pre-Christian Belief

by Stuart McHardy

Stuart McHardy examines the Pictish symbols which have been discovered on various items across Scotland. The book sets out a cohesive interpretation of the Pictish past, using a variety of both temporal and geographical sources. This interpretation serves as a backdrop for his analysis of the symbols themselves, providing a context for his suggestion that there was an underlying series of ideas and beliefs behind the creation of the symbols.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2012

About the author

Stuart McHardy is a Scottish writer, broadcaster and storyteller.

Reviews

[Dymphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pagan symbols of the Picts by Stuart McHardy is a book about the symbology of pre-christian belief. Mostly, McHardy treats symbols from Class-I stones in Schotland.

First, McHardy talks about who the picts were, dating, the 'before literature' syndrome before going to the symbolism of some symbols itself.

I'm a bit mixed about the book itself. The amount symbols which are included is little, but what is included is talked about it in depth. The research seems to be accurate. The writer relies heavily on other written texts and like to reference to his other books.

Overall, I'm not sure wheter I would recommend this book or not. The books does bring forth some interesting ideas and hypothesis, but I expected the book to be more about the symbols and less about the belief system of which the symbols are part of it.

I'm very curious if the writer is writing a part two - and what symbols he would talk about in it.

[Maya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I...am not sure what to write about this book. I have nothing to compare it too previously but a few things that he said in the book made me stop and think about how accurate his material is or isn't.

For the most part the the research seems accurate. But he also has his pet hypotheses...

The symbols he did discuss were very interesting.

[Judith lavezzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book. Especially from a view of Scottish history.

[Mary Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay introduction to the subject but woukd prefer something more scholarly