Witches’ marks, ritual protection symbols or apotropaic marks, have been found in many historic places, from medieval churches and houses to barns and caves. The word 'apotropaic' comes from the Greek word for averting evil.

The page has been created to promote and disseminate research into medieval & historic graffiti; the archaeological identification of apotropaic symbols and the phenomenon of intentionally concealed objects within buildings intended to ward against misfortune. Contributions are welcomed! Notable Headstones….

Surveys of historic buildings have turned up countless examples of ritual protection marks. They appear in virtually every type of structure, including churches, castles, cottages, mills and barns. When statistically mapping these marks, it is usual to find them in clusters close to the portals, indicating that real concern about the ...

2019年3月8日 · A new tour of the caves highlights what’s believed to be one of the largest gatherings of ritual protection marks in the country. Although these particular witches’ marks were ignored for years, these kinds of markings are not uncommon on medieval and early modern buildings in Great Britain.

Witch marks are also referred to as ritual protection marks or apotropaic markings. The word apotropaic comes from the Greek word apotropaios which is translated as turning away (evil). Where can you find witch marks? Witch marks can be found in all types of buildings from barns and cottages to grand country houses to churches.

2017年10月26日 · Apotropaic marks, or witches’ marks, have been found in various properties throughout the UK—from Wookey Hole Caves in Somerset, to Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-Upon-Avon, to even the...

Ritual protection symbols or apotropaic marks found in many historic places, from medieval churches and houses, to barns, and caves to protect inhabitants and visitors from witches and evil spirits. How are these markings created?

2022年8月20日 · The survey recorded a number of compass drawn circles, Marian marks, saltires and other ritual protection marks both in the Great Hall and around the 17 th century stone fireplaces on the first floor.

have been termed ‘apotropaic’ symbols, or ritual protection marks – some-times misleadingly referred to as ‘Witch marks’. Accounting for as much of a quarter of the total number of recorded inscriptions, they are found inscribed into almost every type of fabric present in a medieval church, including stone, timber, lead and plaster.

Apotropaic marks (from Greek apotrepein ‘to ward off’ from apo- ‘away’ and trepein ‘to turn’) are symbols or patterns scratched into the fabric of a building with the intention of keeping witches out through apotropaic magic. Evil was thought to be held at …