The Latin inscription inside this powerful cross reads TURRIS FORTIS MIHI DEUS, which translates as "God is my Strong Tower" or "A Mighty Fortress is my Lord." The motto of the Kelly family.
Pictish Keymorphic Geometric Tattoo Design
A unique form of Pictish design found on the carved stones in Scotland is the Key Pattern. This intricate sleeve tattoo pattern is designed by replicating a small section of the carvings on the Maiden Stone, a 9th century Pictish Standing stone in Aberdeenshire. The key pattern was then morphed (hence keymorphic) to spiral around the arm. A tribal pattern from an ancient Northern European Tribe, the wild and heavily tattooed Picts.
Key pattern forearm sleeve
Pictish Snake Tattoo Design
A bold 6th c Pictish snake and z-rod taken from the Brandsbutt stone found in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Brandsbutt Stone Snake
Meigle Mermaid Pictish Tattoo Design
The original of this charming mermaid is on The Maid of Meigle Pictish Stone, carved within the 3rd-6th centuries, now in the Meigle Museum in Perthshire, Scotland. She features a classic Melusine split tail and holds her twined hair.
Mermaid of Meigle