Pictish Woad Z-Rod Tattoo Design

This 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 the ripe grain. The z passes through the interstitial layers of soil, water and atmosphere, the space of transition of life and death, between earth and sun, meaning life giving production of food, by farmer or land steward.