Thursday 16 October 2008

More apotropaic marks

Lacock Tithe Barn apotropaic marks by Yewtree, on Flickr Lacock

I spotted this apotropaic mark in the doorway of Lacock Tithebarn the other weekend. It's rather similar to the ones on Bradford-on-Avon Tithe Barn.

The circle with daisy-wheel in it is a Heathen symbol, but it seems very unlikely that it was meant as a heathen symbol in this context (tithe barns were for gathering tithes for the Church). But it is nevertheless a magical act to attempt to turn away harm using a special symbol.

1 comment:

Ric said...

Has anyone seen these marks in Tisbury Tithe Barn please? I have heard of but never seen these.