Carved Stone in St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney
Kirkwall's St Magnus Cathedral is Britain's most northerly
cathedral. The cathedral was founded in 1137 by Viking Earl
Rognvald during a time when Orkney was still under the rule of the
Norse Earls of Orkney. The cathedral was named and built in honour
of St Magnus, who was Earl Rognvald's martyred uncle.
This carved stone features a skull and bones at the bottom of
the slab. In Christian artwork, skulls are a common motif and can
symbolise many things. However, the most common meanings are to
remind Christians of human mortality. In Latin this is referred to
as memento mori - 'Remember, you must die'. These symbols
are therefore often a prompt for spiritual contemplation.
Object no :
RI_DI_0077540
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