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The Picture Stone from Smiss at När |
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The stone was found at a burial site and has been dated to the period 400600 A.D. The decoration is unusual. The traditional whorls have been replaced by three interlaced sepent-like animals with open jaws. The picture gives sense of motion, just like the whorls, although the probable magic content is unclear. The lower figure is of a naked woman holding a serpent in each hand. Serpents have been of great symbolic importance in various cultures and at various points in time. They were associated with the underworld and the kingdom of the dead, but humans have also been fascinated by their apparent rejuvenation, achieved by shedding their skins. According to Ancient Nordic Mythology, the Midgard |
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| serpent coiled itself around Earth, and a serpent biting its own tail is a common symbol of eternity. | ||
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In Medieval art a naked woman is sometimes portrayed with a serpent at each breast. The serpents symbolise the vices Plethora and Voluptuousness (Luxuria and Voluptus); we still use the expression "to suckle a serpent at ones breast" meaning to give help unintentionally to an underhanded person. This motif can be seen on the porch at Väte Parish Church. |
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