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BSS RECORD
DIAL
This image of a dial appears on a grave slab that is now mounted on the interior south wall of the nave alongside many other such slabs. It is one of a number of symbols associated with death, carved in relief. The symbols are in a central panel between upper and lower panels containing text. The dial is illustrative / symbolic only and is roughly square, with hour lines radiating downwards from the top.
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![](https://gaudiumsubsole.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/kirkwall-cathedral-.-st-mungo-.-tombs.-momento-mori-08-17-11.44.46-copy-1.jpeg?w=923)
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ICONOGRAPHY
The image represents Death breaking the urn of Life with an arrow. A flame bursts forth from the punctured vessel, from the tip of which the soul flies away in a northwesterly direction. An hour-glass with the sand run out, a sun-dial, two spades, and a coffin complete the doleful ideogram. The grave slab is for Patrick Prince, died 1673.
![](https://gaudiumsubsole.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/st_magnus_cathedral_kirkwall-from_the_bishops_palace-wiki.jpg?w=500)
GSS Category: Scratch Dial; Cathedral Dial; Church Dial; Dial inside church
PHOTOS: All photos John Renner, with many thanks; Cathedral Stevekeiretsu Wiki OS CC; Print from Cathedral Guide
PATRICK PRINCE link for the slab text no longer works, but I’ll add if I can locate another
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