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| Saxon Stag |
| Runestone from St. Paul's Cathedral |
| 11th century ~ England |
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This wide-eyed stag with its sweeping antlers is adapted from a design carved
on the front face of an 11th century runestone. The stone was originally painted
with bright colors which have since deteriorated. The figure on the far left,
identified as a snake, was speckled with carefully painted white spots. The
tendrils entangling the stag were painted yellow. The almost pure Ringerike (late Viking) style of this piece reflects the strong Viking influence that prevailed in England during the reign of King Canute. Similar stags are found carved into ship prows and ornamenting Viking jewelry in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. The precise symbolism of this stag remains a mystery. In medieval times, the stag was regarded as a creature of virtue. Hunted, entangled by branches—or by a coiled snake, as in this design—this noble beast continued to hold its head high and strain for freedom. Rendered so painstakingly in stone, however, it is probable that this image had a more explicitly spiritual symbolism. In the early Christian Church, the stag symbolized the human soul, harried by life's vicissitudes, yet triumphant in spirit. There are many heritage/images in Romanesque art of the stag, entangled in branches, reaching for a drink from a clear pool of water-symbolizing the revitalizing force of faith. The Vikings resisted Christian incursions until well into the 10th century, and pockets of pagan belief survived well after that date. However, in such an important city as London had already become by the date that this stone was erected, Christianity had already taken a firm hold. It is likely then that this stone would have referenced the Christian symbolism.
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