Pictish Woad Z-Rod Tattoo Design hawk An ancient family symbol is

An ancient family symbol is extended with crisp tribal flames

The solar disc represents the sun

taken from the opening page folio 29r of the Saint Matthew's Gospel in the 9th century illuminated manuscript

A Vegvisir (Icelandic 'sign post') is an Icelandic magical stave intended to help the bearer find their way through rough weather

this band was installed on a fencing master who keeps the tradition of swordsmanship alive

Pictish Woad Z-Rod Tattoo Design hawk An ancient family symbol isThis z rod and double disc is from the Dunnichen Pictish symbol stone, currently on display in Forfar, Angus, Scotland. The pattern appears on many carved stones found across Scotland, and this one was probably carved in the 7th century. The way it is rendered, with a combination of line and "woad blue" dots, makes it come alive in skin. Some scholars have theorized that it is the symbol of agriculture, one tip of the Z is a grain seed, the other tip