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A Norse Vessel Petroglyph

Clifford C. RicheyAugust 2014

It may be helpful to refer to the background paper: Universal-Prehistoric-Depicted-Sign-Language

when reading this paper. It explains the use of Form, Imagery, Gesture Signs,Stance,

allusion. and position among other compositional rules used in the creation ofmany ancient compositions.

Figure 12. Rock-art site Tanum 356 with scenesof social inequality aboard the ships and of acro-

bats jumping above the ships.Copyright: Tanums Hllristnings Museum2006. Source: Swedish Rock Art Research

Archives.

Each part of the Imagery, color coded above, represents a word or a phrase in depicted sign language. This was a very ancient gesture system used by many cultures for thousands of years to communicate with each other for trade purposes among others. At some point in time the signs were transposed to a more tangible system that could be used to transcribe messages in a more permanent manner.

The Body, of the Vessel, is composed of a (green) Long Rectangular, a stretched-out-place sign. This sign is positioned below the signs for the ship's crew. The Figures that represent the crew were created from a Vertical-Rectangle, vertical-place signs. The overall Form of these signs were shaped in the

Illustration 1: The Great Serpent Ship, The one that carries the13 male-spirits.

Form of a Phallus, indicating a male or a man. The Glans Penis Form represented a male-spirit. The (yellow) Circles were both a locational sign and the Number one (based on the Form of the gesture signer's finger tips). The Count is thirteen the thirteen male spirits.

The wide, stretched out, place below was obviously the underworld and the Ship was a metaphor for the (blue-green) Great Serpent below in the watery underworld. Actually the Serpent Form and Imagery was the associational depiction for a stream or current of water. It was the Serpent that carriedthe spirits of the deceased through the underworld.

In gesture signing the Left and Right sides of the signer represented the east and the west. This explains the reason for the Ship's double headed Serpent. The Large Horned Figure on the Left and Right is a great leader (based on the observation of male animals such as the Bull who achieved their superior position in the herd through their strength). The meaning is one of a strong leader. Thus, the strong leader in the east and the west. The leader was counted as one of the crew as determined by his Phallus being positioned between the (yellow) Circle, his location, the one and the Phallic Form (the male, the, green, vertical-place, the male, purple, spirit below). The V shaped Glans Penis of the Figure represents an opening and is connected to the (green) vertical-place sign of the Figure's Body. The Form of the shaft of the Phallus is Curved indicating, an arising. Positionally, on the side of the Body. The (tan) Legs and Feet (the long, journeys, positionally, below, in the west, waiting (the, pink, Tail like appendage) positionally, on the side.

The (pink) Neck or Throat of the Figure alludes to a connecting tunnel to the main Body. The Head of the Figure is the (yellow) Circular, his location, the one sign. The Horned Head, the leader, the one who arises in the east and west. The Figure's Arms represent a warrior. The Form of the Elbow (an allusion to the one that opens and closes) is V shaped indicating a Relatively Large, great opening. In the over all Figure imagery the Figure appears to be holding a Hammer which may relate this Imagery to Thor. The Hammer is also in the Form of a Mushroom meaning, the one that arises from the earth. The Left Arm appears to be holding an Egg (the one who will be born in the east). The Arm is in the Form of the arising sign.

Illustration 2: Color Coded

The signs in Illustration 3 are positioned above the Ship. The Three Legs and Feet are significant as thecount is Three as a form of shorthand meaning, many. The Stance for the Legs and Feet is one of departing. The Legs, indicate, Form, on the side, and long, The Feet as Form are Horizontal Rectanglesindicating, horizontal-places. As Feet they represent, walks or journeys. Thus the many long journeys,on the side (of the earth) the places. This depiction also shows how the Legs and Feet need not be connected to a Body as they are independent words and phrases.

The many,Departing.

The Leg and Foot on the Left (the east) is positioned below a (red) Triangle that indicates the Female-earth. The Triangle was based on the human female genital area's shape. The Female-earth, below Her, on the side, the long, journey, the place.

The Female-earth,Below Her,On the side,

The long journey,on

The horizontal-place.

Above the Leg of the Figure (Left) is a (green) Vertical Rectangle, a vertical-place sign. To the Right isa Quarter Circle indicating an, on the side sign. Below, are the long, journeys, on the side, places.

A vertical-place,On the side,

Below,The long,Journeys,

inA horizontal-place.

The Stance of the Large Curved Figure is one of leaning over backwards and falling. The Great one, his falling over backwards.

The Body of the Figure is a relatively Large (light-blue) U shaped turning sign. The great turning

Illustration 3: The OneTurning Above

of the body. The Shoulder of the Figure has the Form of the sign for a (Straight Line, the surface) while the Arm (the warrior) and Hand (the steward of the Sun) Form the signs for, the edges. The gesture sign for a cliff or edge is a Forty five degree angle. In this case there is a Straight Line connecting the two signs making this a surface between two edges. Apparently there is only one Hand alluded to (there is no sign at the position of whre the hand on the Right would be normally) and it is on the Left or eastern side. The (pink) Neck or Throat of the Figure alludes to a tube or tunnel. The (yellow) Head of the Figure indicates, the one, his location, positionally, below. The Arm on the Right,the west is without a hand is a Severed Finger Form used to point a direction, herebelow.

The great one, Above,

Falling backwards,

His great turning,at

The edges,(of the earth)

The one, his location,The warrior,

The Steward of the Sun,Arises,

In the east,The one,

His location,The tunnel,

Below,Here,

Descending,in

The west.

First we need to look at the overall Form of the Serpent.. The Large Form of a Horned (a leader or chieftain) Serpent on the Left, the great, stream, in the east, Next we break down the parts of the Serpent into it depicted signs. Starting at the Tail the Form is of a (tan) Leg and Foot, the long journey,

Illustration 4:Serpent on the Left

Illustration 6: ColorCodedIllustration 5: Late Bronze

Age Vessel

Budapest History Museum

positionally, --below, on the side. Next we see the (blue) Form of a Large (indicating, the one, and greatness) Severed Finger, pointing a direction, here, the great one, arising. The Head or Face of the Serpent, her appearance (the gender is female due to the Serpent being within the earth), has the Stance of looking eastward.

As an aside we will look, briefly, at an earthen (clay) Vessel from the Late Bronze Age. It is located at the Budapest History Museum. We can compare the signs that composed this Vessel with those found in the Serpent Vessel. The Bowl of the Vessel is equivalent to the Circular (white with a black center) hole sign of the Serpent's Head and Eye. The (green) Neck of the Bowl is in the Form of a horizontal-place sign. Across the place sign are Rightward Slanting Lines that indicate, stopped. Positionally below the place sign is a Quarter Circle that means, the underside or the underworld. Beneath this is the Form of a (tan) Foot that indicates a journey, positionally, below. On the Right or western side of the Foot, which is actually a boot, are (light-blue) Three Lines that indicate an unseen pathway whose Form is in the shape of a Vertical-place sign. In many ancient cultures a Vessel indicated a container (of water and its associated spirits) that was, metaphorically, linked to the Earth-female. The Norse Ship may have been conceptualized in a similar manner as a container of men's spirits. The Ship and the Bronze Age Urn (used as an Urn for the cremation ashes of the deceased and as a Burial Vessel) both provide the needed Body part areas for positional points of reference and for areas that can be alluded to for additional meaning.

The Large Horned Serpent,The great, female, stream,

The chieftain,The main one,

In the east,The long-journey,

Below,On the side,

Here,The great one,

Arising,from

The great journey,Below.

The Head or Face (her appearance) of the Serpent was created from the (black and white) Circular sign with a Dark Center that means, a hole. The Horns on the Head indicate a leader but are in the Form of the V shaped sign for, an opening. The Snout of the Serpent indicates by allusion, the Mouth and subsequently, a source of water. The Leg and Foot, positionally, below, the hole means, a long, journey.

The Serpent, the stream,Her Face, her appearance,

atThe opening,On the side,

The water source,

below it,The long journey,

On the side.

The Stance of the Large (great) Horned ( a chieftain or leader) Figure is one of facing Left, eastward and holding a Knife ( a Ray of the Sun sign, a title) high over his Head (overhead).The (tan) Legs and Feet are in the Stance for arrival that makes them appear as backwards in relation to the Figure's Body. The Legs are in the Form of the side sign. At the top of the Legs is a (green) Horizontal Rectangle or horizontal-place sign. The trunk of the Body is a (yellow) relatively Large Circle that indicates, his location, the great one. This is positioned as, on the side, of a (light-green) Vertical Rectangle, a vertical-place (a place having height and depth). The Figure's Phallus, indicating a man, is composed of a Rightward Leaning Line its Stance indicating, waiting. The Glans Penis alludes to the position of the male-spirit sign. Its actual Form is that of a small (light-tan) Severed Finger point the direction, here, at the (light-blue) the great arising sign,.

The great leader,Facing eastward,

His arrival,from

His Journeys,On the sides,

Below.at

The horizontal-place,Hid location, the great one,

on the side,of

The vertical-place,The man,Waiting,

Here,for

His great arising.

Illustration 7:The Leader, The

Great One

Illustration 8:Original

A the upper surface of the (yellow) Circle indicating, the one his location, The Form becomes one a Long (high) Stemmed Mushroom. This metaphorical Form presents the phrase, the one who arises from the earth. The Stem is in the Form of the arising sign. The Mushroom Cap is in the form of the covered sign. The upper portion of the Cap indicates the Bow shaped sign for the sky. The lower Linesare the Curved Lines for ascending in the east and the west. The surrounding darkness of the original dark patina of the rock may have indicated, surrounded in darkness.

The one who arises from the earth,High above it,

inThe dark sky,

Ascending In the east and the west.

The Arm on the Right (the warrior) has a (yellow) Circle, the location, the one, that alludes to a Hand.The Hand of the Sun, a steward of the Sun), The (yellow) Circle indicating, the one his location. The Arm is in the Form of the U shaped sign for turning-movement. The Lower part of the U is a (green) Right Leaning Rectangular, waiting-place sign. Of course this Arm and Hand is on the Right indicating, the west.

The warrior, the steward of the Sun,His location, the one,

His waiting-place,His turning,

inThe west.

Finally, we come to the Figures Head. The (yellow) Circle that composes and alludes to his Head or Face, his appearance, his location, the one has a (pink) Neck or Throat alluding to a tube or connecting tunnel to the Body below. The (light-blue) Horns on the Head are in the Form of arising signs (positionally, on the sides) on the Right and left, in the east and west.

His appearance,His, location, the one,

atThe connecting tunnel,

Illustration 9:The Leader, The

Great One

On the sides,He arises,

In the east and west.

To the right of the Chieftain or leader Figure is a series of Phallic Forms that indicates males or men that represents, the ship's crew. The (yellow) Circle above each Phallus means, the one, his location. The Phallus can be further divided into the Forms for a (green) Vertical-Rectangle, a vertical-place andthe Form of the (light-blue) Glans Penis which serves as the sign for a male-spirit. The Stance of the spirit sign is one of heading upwards. The count of the Crew numbers thirteen, if one includes the Leader.

Their locations, the ones, The Twelve men,

andTheir Leader

The vertical-placesof

The male-spirits,Heading upwards.

Illustration 10: TheMen

Illustration 11: TheLeader on the Right

Illustration 12: Original

The Image of the Leader on the Right, in the west is smaller than the one on the Left, in the east. The significance of this difference is not clear. It may imply the distance between the two events, the one in the east, (closer) and the one in the far west (more distant).

The Leader, In the distant,

West.

The Stance of the (tan) Legs and Feet is the sign for departing, the Legs, Feet, the long journeys, positional, below. It may be worth mentioning, at this point, that many ancient cosmologies considered the east of the rising Sun as a related to youth, light and rebirth while the west was considered as related to old age, darkness and death1. There is also a Severed Finger pointing a direction, here, on theRight, the west, positionally, on the side. The Stance, the rightward leaning angle, indicates, waiting.

Departing,(On his)

Long journeysBelow,

inThe east,

Here,Arising,

On the side, Here,

Waiting,the west.

On the side.

The Body, The Stomach, The relatively Large (yellow) Circle meaning, the great one. The (green) Chest, a Horizontal Rectangle or horizontal-place sign. The (pink) Neck or Throat indicating, a connecting tunnel, to the (yellow) Head which is the Circle meaning, his location, the one. The Horns (the leader) of the Head which are in the Form of the arising Left and Right, in the east and the west signs.

The great onein

The connecting tunnel,His location, the one,

whoArises,

inThe east and the west.

The Arm (the warrior) and Hand (the steward of the Sun, a Sun-priest) on the Left (the east) holds a Knife ( a ray of the Sun). The overall Form of which is a Mushroom, the one who arises from the

1Richards, C (1996) 'Life is not that simple: architecture and cosmology in the Balinese house', in T Darvill & J Thomas (eds.), Neolithic Houses in Northwest Europe and Beyond, 173-84. Oxford: Oxbow. ...East and West, are added from Hindu beliefs; the East being associated with rebirth and sunrise, whilst the West is linked with death and the sunset.

earth. This can be further broken down into The Stem (a vertical-place) positionally, below, the Quarter Circle (the upper-side or the upper-world). The Form of the Arm is in the shape of the sign for arising. The Arm (the warrior) The Hand (alluded to by its position at the end of the Arm indicates theHand of the Sun, the steward of the Sun. The Form of the object at the normal position for the Hand is unclear. It may be an Egg indicating, the one who will be born. We will, tentatively, accept this interpretation in th interest of symmetry.

In the east,The warrior,

The steward of the Sun,The one who arises from the earth,

A vertical placeto

The upper world.

In the west,The warrior,

The steward of the Sun,Arising.

The one who will be born.

Illustration 13: TheLeader on the Right

Illustration 14: TheLeader on the Right

It was mentioned earlier in this paper that the Horned leader2 in the west was construed as being one of the Ship's Crew due to his male member having been positioned between the Number one, his location, sign and the Phallus, man or male, sign. The Phallus is a compound of a Severed Finger pointing a direction, here. pointing to the sign for a man, the vertical-place of the male-spirit. The shaft of the Phallus is the Curved sign for arising, on the side.

The one,His location,

The man,The male-spirit,

Heading upward,from

The surface,of

The vertical-place.

In the above illustration we can see the Large Serpent, the great stream with its Tail arising in the east (The Tail possibly being a form of past tense) and its Throat (tunnel sign) arising in the west. The (light-green) Serpent's Head is the sign for an entrance, a portal, on the surface (the Lintel acting as the Straight Line for the surface). The Broad (green) Horizontal Rectangle, a wide-place is, positionally, below, and represents the underworld.

The Great Serpent, the great stream,The Horned one, The leader,

(perhaps meaning the chief or main stream)Arising,

2 It is unlikely that such figures actually wore Horns in battle or in most activities. They were a sign of authority used on special, formal, occasions. In depicted sign language the Horns held a linguistic value. The Horns were not frequently worn any more than a King would walk around with a crown on his head all the time.

Illustration 15: Color Coded

In the Throat,In the connecting tunnel,

toThe Surface Doorway, the portal at the surface.

The (yellow) Base of the Ship has the (yellow) Hook sign that indicates, taken-downward followed by a (tan) Foot, a journey. Next another Hook (taken down, positionally, below, with a (yellow) Circular, the one, his location sign at the beginning of the Hook.

Taken downward,on

A journey,Below,

His location, the one.

This Figure turning in the sky above the Ship was a metaphor referring to Venus, the warrior star. Thisvery ancient metaphorical association of warriors with Venus was a common cosmological statement. Itwas paraphrased in a variety of ways over the centuries. Paraphrasing in depicted sign language can produce startling different resultant imagery and without a knowledge of sign language one might thinkthe depictions were about entirely different subjects.

As interpreted above, the petroglyph is not about an actual event but rather it is a cosmological message. The message's details tell us that the leader and his crew are spirits and the Vessel that carries them is a Serpent, stream of water, that takes the spirits up and down through portals (openings or holesin the earth's surface) in the east and west. It would seem that the leader is portrayed as Venus in his afterlife. There is a possibility that the thirteen spirits may represented the leader and crew of a ship thatnever returned to its home port.

Budapest History Museum