Picture stone

A picture stone, image stone or figure stone is an ornate slab of stone, usually limestone, which was raised in Germanic Iron Age or Viking Age Scandinavia, and in the greatest number on Gotland.[1][2] More than four hundred picture stones are known today.[3] All of the stones were probably erected as memorial stones,[1] but only rarely beside graves.[2] Some of them have been positioned where many people could see them at bridges and on roads.[1]

They mainly differ from runestones by presenting the message in pictures rather than runes. Some picture stones also have runic inscriptions, but they tell little more than to whom the stone was dedicated. Lacking textual explanations, the image stones are consequently difficult to interpret.[2] Similar stones in Scotland are known as Pictish stones.

## Contents

* 1 Groups
* 1.1 400-600 CE
* 1.2 500-700 CE
* 1.3 700-1100 CE
* 2 Isle of Man
* 3 Notes and references
* 4 Individual image stones
* 5 External links

## Groups

The dating of the stones is based on studies of their shapes and ornamentations. Subsequently, three distinct groups of stones exist with various aesthetics, locations and purposes.

### 400-600 CE

The first group of picture stones was made in the period 400–600 CE. These have a straight form and the upper part is shaped like the edge of an axe. The ornamentations are usually circular forms with vortex patterns and spirals, but also with images of ships, people, and animals. These older stones were usually raised within grave fields, albeit not on the graves themselves.[3]

### 500-700 CE

The second group of picture stones come from the period 500–700 CE, and they are small stones with stylized patterns.[1]

Detail of Odin entering Valhalla riding on Sleipnir from the Tjängvide image stone.

### 700-1100 CE

The third group was made in the period 700–1100 CE and they consist of tall stones with necks and tall bow-shaped profiles.[1] Their ornamentations present a rich array of pictures: ships with checkered sails and scenes with figures in different fields.[1][2] The borders are often decorated with various plaited patterns.[1] Many scenes show sacrifices and battles,[3] and a common scene on the stones is a man, riding a horse, welcomed by a woman holding a drinking horn.[1][2] What is seen are representations of a wealth of legends and myths.[1] Sometimes depictions from Norse mythology and Norse legends can be identified, but largely the stories behind them have not survived in written form.

The image stones are valuable sources which complete knowledge from archaeology concerning ships and sails,[2] and they provide information on armor, wagons, and sleighs.[3] The later stones in this group feature an upper field with stylized cross and dragon patterns in the style of some runestones.[1] These stones usually were raised on roads and at bridges to be visible.[3]

## Isle of Man

Image stones on display in Gotland Museum The largest of the picture stones on Gotland is found in Änge in Buttle. It is 3.85 m (12.6 ft) tall and is richly ornamented in the style of the 8th century.[4][5]

A comparable tradition is found on the Isle of Man where high funeral crosses of stone were richly ornamented with the same teeming world of warriors and Norse deities as the image stones of Gotland.[6]

## Notes and references

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 The article Bildstenar in Nationalencyklopedin (1990).
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Hadenius, Stig; Nilsson, Torbjörn; Åselius, Gunnar (1996) Sveriges historia: vad varje svensk bör veta. Bonnier Alba, Borås. ISBN:91-34-51857-6 p. 28.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 A presentation at the County Museum of Gotland.
4. ↑ "RAÄ-nummer Buttle 42:1". Swedish National Heritage Board. http://www.fmis.raa.se/cocoon/fornsok/search.html?tab=3&page=1&objektid=10090500420001. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
5. ↑ Henriksson, Greta (11 January 2015). "Fornminnen Buttle". Gotland Municipality. http://www.gotland.se/80819. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
6. ↑ An article on the site of the Swedish Museum of National Antiquities .

## Individual image stones

* Ardre stone
* Hunnestad Monument
* Ledberg stone
* Viking art
* The Snake-witch
* Stora Hammars stones
* Tängelgärda stone
* Stenkyrka Lillbjärs III stone

## External links

* Pictures of stones at Bunge Museum, Bunge, Gotland, Sweden
* The Picture Stone Hall, Gotland Museum, Visby, Sweden

* v
* t
* e

Norse paganism and mythology

Deities and
other figures

| Æsir|

* Baldr
* Bragi
* Dellingr
* Forseti
* Heimdallr
* Hermóðr
* Höðr
* Hœnir
* Ítreksjóð
* Lóðurr
* Loki
* Máni
* Meili
* Mímir
* Móði and Magni
* Odin
* Óðr
* Thor
* Týr
* Ullr
* Váli
* Víðarr
* Vili and Vé

|

Ásynjur|

* Bil
* Eir (valkyrie)
* Frigg
* Fulla
* Gefjon
* Gerðr
* Gná
* Hlín
* Iðunn
* Ilmr
* Irpa
* Lofn
* Nanna
* Njörun
* Rán
* Rindr
* Sága
* Sif
* Sigyn
* Sjöfn
* Skaði
* Snotra
* Sól
* Syn
* Þorgerðr Hölgabrúðr
* Þrúðr
* Vár
* Vör

Vanir|

* Freyja
* Freyr
* Ingunar-Freyr
* Yngvi
* Gersemi
* Gullveig
* Hnoss
* Kvasir
* Njörðr
* Sister-wife of Njörðr

Jötnar|

* Ægir
* Alvaldi
* Angrboða
* Aurboða
* Baugi
* Beli
* Bergelmir
* Bestla
* Bölþorn
* Býleistr
* Eggthér
* Fárbauti
* Fjölvar
* Fjörgyn and Fjörgynn
* Fornjót
* Gangr
* Geirröd
* Gilling
* Gjálp and Greip
* Gríðr
* Gunnlöð
* Gymir
* Harðgreipr
* Helblindi
* Helreginn
* Hljod
* Hræsvelgr
* Hrímgerðr
* Hrímgrímnir
* Hrímnir
* Hroðr
* Hrungnir
* Hrym
* Hymir
* Hyrrokkin
* Iði
* Im
* Járnsaxa
* Jörð
* Laufey
* Leikn
* Litr
* Logi
* Mögþrasir
* Narfi
* Sökkmímir
* Surtr
* Suttungr
* Þjazi
* Þökk
* Þrívaldi
* Þrúðgelmir
* Þrymr
* Útgarða-Loki
* Vafþrúðnir
* Váli
* Víðblindi
* Vosud
* Vörnir
* Ymir

Dwarfs|

* Alvíss
* Andvari
* Billingr
* Brokkr
* Dáinn
* Durinn
* Dúrnir
* Dvalinn
* Eitri
* Fafnir
* Fjalar and Galar
* Gandalf
* Hreiðmarr
* Litr
* Mótsognir
* Norðri, Suðri, Austri and Vestri
* Ótr
* Regin
* Sons of Ivaldi

Heroes|

* Egil
* Arngrim
* Bödvar Bjarki
* Björn Járnsíða
* Guðmundr
* Hagbarðr
* Haki
* Heiðrekr
* Helgi Haddingjaskati
* Helgi Hjörvarðsson
* Helgi Hundingsbane
* Hervör
* Hjalmar and Ingeborg
* Hlöðr
* Höðbroddr
* Hrólfr Kraki
* Ingjald
* Jónakr's sons
* Örvar-Oddr
* Palnatoke
* Ragnarr Loðbrók
* Rerir
* Sigmund
* Sigurðr
* Svafrlami
* Sinfjötli
* Starkaðr
* Styrbjörn the Strong
* Svipdagr
* Völsung
* Vésteinn

Others|

* Ask and Embla
* Auðumbla
* Beyla
* Borr
* Búri
* Byggvir
* Dís
* Einherjar
* Eldir
* Elves
* Dark elves (Dökkálfar)
* Light elves (Ljósálfar)
* Black elves (Svartálfar)
* Fimafeng
* Fenrir
* Garmr
* Gullinbursti
* Hati Hróðvitnisson
* Hel
* Hildisvíni
* Hjúki
* Horses of the Æsir
* Árvakr and Alsviðr
* Blóðughófi
* Falhófnir
* Gísl
* Glaðr
* Glær
* Glenr
* Grani
* Gullfaxi
* Gulltoppr
* Gyllir
* Hamskerpir and Garðrofa
* Hófvarpnir
* Skinfaxi and Hrímfaxi
* Sleipnir
* Svaðilfari
* Jafnhárr
* Jörmungandr
* Móðguðr
* Nine Daughters of Ægir and Rán
* Nine Mothers of Heimdallr
* Narfi and Nari
* Níðhöggr
* Norns
* Personifications
* Dagr
* Elli
* Nótt
* Sumarr and Vetr
* Skírnir
* Sköll
* Shieldmaiden
* Þjálfi and Röskva
* Valkyrie
* Völundr

Locations|

| Underworld|

* Hel (heimr)
* Éljúðnir
* Gjallarbrú
* Náströnd
* Niflhel
* Niðafjöll

|

Rivers|

* Élivágar
* Gjöll
* Ífingr
* Kerlaugar
* Körmt and Örmt
* Slidr River
* Vadgelmir
* Vimur River

Other locations|

* Amsvartnir
* Andlang
* Barri
* Bifröst
* Bilskirnir
* Brávellir
* Brimir
* Fensalir
* Fólkvangr
* Fornsigtuna
* Fyrisvellir
* Gálgviðr
* Gandvik
* Gastropnir
* Gimlé
* Ginnungagap
* Glaðsheimr
* Glæsisvellir
* Glitnir
* Gnipahellir
* Grove of fetters
* Himinbjörg
* Hindarfjall
* Hlidskjalf
* Hnitbjorg
* Hoddmímis holt
* Iðavöllr
* Járnviðr
* Mímameiðr
* Myrkviðr
* Munarvágr
* Nóatún
* Okolnir
* Sessrúmnir
* Sindri
* Singasteinn
* Þrúðheimr
* Þrúðvangr
* Þrymheimr
* Útgarðar
* Valaskjálf
* Valhalla
* Víðbláinn
* Vígríðr
* Vingólf
* Wells
* Hvergelmir
* Mímisbrunnr
* Urðarbrunnr
* Ýdalir
* Yggdrasil

Events|

* Æsir–Vanir War
* Fimbulvetr
* Ragnarök
* Hjaðningavíg

Sources|

* Gesta Danorum
* Poetic Edda
* Prose Edda
* Runestones
* Sagas
* Tyrfing Cycle
* Völsung Cycle
* Old Norse language
* Orthography
* Later influence

Society|

* Blót
* Félag
* Germanic calendar
* Heiti
* Hörgr
* Kenning
* Mead hall
* Nīþ
* Norse pagan worship
* Numbers
* Sacred trees and groves in Germanic paganism and mythology
* Seiðr
* Skald
* Viking Age
* Völva

See also|

* Norse gods
* Norse giants
* Norse dwarfs
* Mythological Norse people, items and places
* Germanic paganism
* Heathenry (new religious movement)

* v
* t
* e

European megaliths

Armenia|

* Metsamor
* Zorats Karer

Azerbaijan|

* Gobustan Rocks

Bulgaria|

* Beglik Tash
* Garlo

France|

* Barnenez
* Tumulus of Bougon
* Caixa de Rotllan
* Carnac
* Menhir de Champ-Dolent
* Dolmen de Bagneux
* Broken Menhir of Er Grah
* Dolmen de Mané-Kerioned
* Filitosa
* Gallardet Dolmen
* Gavrinis
* Harrespil
* Kerzerho
* Locmariaquer megaliths
* Mane Braz
* Paddaghju
* Peyre-Brune
* Tremeca
* Verziau of Gargantua

Germany|

* Altendorf
* Denghoog
* Fraubillen cross
* Harhoog
* Lancken-Granitz dolmens
* Lohra
* Megaliths in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
* Niedertiefenbach
* Oldendorfer Totenstatt
* Riesenstein
* Route of Megalithic Culture
* Sieben Steinhäuser
* Wotanstein
* Züschen

Guernsey|

* Castel Menhir
* Le Creux ès Faïes
* Déhus Dolmen
* Les Fouillages
* La Gran'mère du Chimquière
* Le Trépied
* La Varde

Ireland|

* Ardgroom
* Beltany stone circle
* Bohonagh
* Brownshill Dolmen
* Brú na Bóinne
* Carrigagulla
* Carrowmore
* Castlestrange stone
* Creevykeel Court Tomb
* Drombeg
* Gaulstown Portal Tomb
* Glantane East
* Grange stone circle
* High cross
* Knocknakilla
* Meehambee Dolmen
* Piper's Stones
* Poulnabrone dolmen
* Reask
* Templebryan Stone Circle
* Turoe stone
* Uragh Stone Circle

Jersey|

* Jersey Dolmens
* La Hougue Bie

Malta|

* Megalithic Temples (Borġ l-Imramma
* Borġ in-Nadur
* Buġibba
* Debdieba
* Ġgantija
* Ħaġar Qim
* Ħal Ġinwi
* Kordin
* Mnajdra
* Qortin l-Imdawwar
* Santa Verna
* Skorba
* Ta' Ħaġrat
* Ta' Marżiena
* Ta' Raddiena
* Tal-Qadi
* Tarxien
* Tas-Silġ
* Xemxija
* Xrobb l-Għaġin)
* Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni
* Xagħra Stone Circle

Netherlands|

* Hunebed

Poland|

* Brąchnówko
* Grzybnica
* Odry
* Węsiory

Portugal|

* Almendres Cromlech
* Anta de Adrenunes
* Anta de Agualva
* Anta do Alto da Toupeira‎
* Antas do Barrocal
* Anta de Carcavelos
* Anta da Estria
* Antas da Valeira
* Anta do Monte Abraão
* Antas do Olival da Pêga
* Anta da Pedra dos Mouros
* Anta das Pedras Grandes
* Anta da Vidigueira
* Anta Grande do Zambujeiro
* Barreira Megalithic Complex
* Cunha Baixa Dolmen
* Dolmen of Carapito I
* Great Dolmen of Comenda da Igreja
* Menhir of Outeiro
* Menhir of Bulhoa
* Vale Maria do Meio Cromlech
* Xerez Cromlech

Russia|

* Dolmens of North Caucasus
* Thunder Stone
* Megaliths in the Urals
* Russian Geoglyph

Scandinavia|

* Picture stones
* Runestones
* Stone circles
* Stone ships

Spain|

* Antequera Dolmens Site
* La chabola de la Hechicera
* Cova d'en Daina
* Dolmen de Axeitos
* Dolmen of Guadalperal
* Dolmen of Menga
* Dolmen de la Pastora
* Dolmen del prado de Lácara
* Dolmen de Viera
* Son Matge

Ukraine|

* Boundary Stones

United Kingdom|

England:

* Arbor Low
* Avebury
* Barbrook One
* Birkrigg
* Boscawen-Un
* Boskednan
* Brown Willy Cairns
* The Bull Ring
* Burnmoor stone circles
* Castlerigg
* Craddock Moor
* Devil's Arrows
* Doll Tor
* Drizzlecombe
* Duloe
* Fernacre
* Gardom's Edge
* Goodaver
* Grey Wethers
* Hoarstones
* Hordron Edge
* Hurlers
* Leper Stone
* Long Meg and Her Daughters
* Mên-an-Tol
* The Merry Maidens
* Mitchell's Fold
* Nine Ladies
* Nine Stones, Altarnun
* Pipers
* Rollright
* Rudston Monolith
* Scorhill
* Stannon
* Stanton Drew
* Stonehenge
* Stripple
* Swinside
* Trethevy Quoit
* Trippet

Northern Ireland:

* Aughlish
* Ballynoe
* Beaghmore
* Corick
* Drumskinny
* Legananny
* Giant's Ring

Scotland:

* Balquhain
* Callanish
* I
* II
* III
* IV
* VIII
* X
* Carlin
* Cat Stane
* Clach an Trushal
* Colmeallie
* Drybridge
* Easter Aquhorthies
* Lochmaben Stone
* Pictish
* Ring of Brodgar
* Sheldon
* Stenness
* Steinacleit
* Strichen
* Yonder Bognie

Wales:

* Barclodiad y Gawres
* Bedd Arthur
* Bedd Taliesin
* Bodowyr
* Bryn Cader Faner
* Bryn Celli Ddu
* Bryn Gwyn stones
* Capel Garmon
* Carreg Coetan Arthur
* Carreg Samson
* Coetan Arthur
* Foel Chwern
* Llanfechell
* Lligwy Burial Chamber
* Maen Llia
* Maen Madoc
* Meini Hirion
* Moel Tŷ Uchaf
* Parc Cwm long cairn
* Penrhos Feilw
* Pentre Ifan
* St Lythans burial chamber
* Trefignath
* Tinkinswood
* Tŷ Newydd Burial Chamber
* Whetstones

General articles|

* Standing stone
* Dolmen
* Henge
* Menhir
* Stone circle
* Stone row
* Concentric stone circle
* Recumbent stone circle
* Chambered cairn
* Harrespil
* Photographs of stone circles
* Middle Eastern megaliths

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