THE TABLES - How They Work.

• 1 - Numbers.
  The 12 most frequent symbols are listed by numbers, and the remainder are arranged alphabetically after that.
  i.e. After Rectangle and Z-Rod, we start with Anvil, Boar, Bull, etc etc.
  Includes guide to what symbols look like. - [SYMT - 1]

• 2 - Combinations.
  These Tables show how the various symbols are combined with each other.
  Once again, the most common symbols appear first, first in combination with one another, and then the others are listed in alphabetical order.
  e.g. After all the combinations involving the Crescent and V-Rod and the other 11 commonest symbols, we start with Deer's Head, then Disc, then Flower, Mirror etc etc.
  N.B. For these Tables, the "Page Numbers" refer to A. Mack's Field Guide to the Pictish Symbol Stones, which is set to become one of the reference books on Pictish stones. They are included so you can cross-check these figures, if you like. (None of us are infallible) They may also help if you have some line of enquiry of your own to pursue, and this is quicker than plowing through the book over and over again. (I know, because I did it.)
  
  [SYMT - 2A ] - Crescent and V-Rod.
  [SYMT - 2B ] - Double-Disc and Z-Rod.
  [SYMT - 2C ] - Dolphin / Elephant / Pictish Beastie.
  [SYMT - 2D ] - Mirror and Comb.

• 3 - Distribution of Symbols.
  These Tables show where the stones were originally found (where known)
  
  The most common 12 are arranged in order of frequency first. ( i.e. Crescent and V-Rod first, with 86 examples, going down to Rectangle and Z-Rod with only 10 known examples.
  All others, with the possible exception of the Fish/ Salmon and the "Mirror-case" symbols ( both listings may have representations of more than one thing lumped together in them) have less than 10 versions each.
  
  Each Table is arranged by REGION first, then alphabetically by the NAME OF THE STONE, with illustrations of the actual carvings. Some are based on photos and some on drawings. Some are a blend of photos and drawings where neither gave a reasonable impression of the subject on its own. Photos are subject to lighting effects which are not always noticeable to the observer, or they bring out something that the eye sees but the brain doesn't register, or help as a corrective to distortions that a free-hand drawing causes. On the other hand, it is sometimes easier to get a drawing than a photo, depending on lighting and accessability. I discovered all this by trial and error, and it is interesting to discover that the illustrators for the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland work on the same principles as a matter of course. While there is no comparison between my feeble efforts and their highly professional productions, it is still a very valuable method of representing things.
  Unfortunately, I don't have exact measurements for each symbol. These might be helpful, as the photos of the Dunfallandy Stone, for instance, give the impression of a large stone, but it is only about ¼ the apparent size since all the symbols are quite small, while Aberlemno 1 and 3 actually are as large as they seem. There are many middle-sized stones, and reference should be made to the dimensions in the "STONES" Section, to help judge the likely sizes of carvings. Some of the smaller symbols can be covered by a small hand quite comfortably, but the biggest ones are about 2 Ft (55 cms) across.
  One of the benefits of collecting illustrations of the actual symbols is to show how little regard they seem to have for orientation. Students of symbolism will appreciate the significance of that. It also points up how many variations there are of any one symbol. It might also be wise to to remember that the apparent "status" of the symbol also varies from stone to stone. For some, they are the only thing on the stone, and on others, they are relatively minor parts of the overall design. Again, refer to "STONES" Section.
  
  As above, the most prolific 12 symbols are listed first in order of frequecy, then the two problematic symbols ( Fish and "Mirror -case" ) and lastly one Table of the less common symbols.
  
  In the main Tables, symbols are arranged initially by REGION, and then alphabetically by the NAMES OF THE STONES they occur on. [ SYMT- 3A to SYMT - 3N ]
  In the Sundries Table, they are listed firstly by NAMES OF THE SYMBOLS, then the REGIONS, then THE NAMES OF THE STONES they occur on, where there are enough examples of a particular symbol. Of course there are several one-onlys. [ SYMT-3R ]
  
  [ SYMT - 3A ] - Crescent and V-Rod.
  [ SYMT - 3B ] - Double-Disc and Z-Rod.
  [ SYMT - 3C ] - Dolphin / Elephant / Pictish Beastie.
  [ SYMT - 3D ] - Mirror and Comb.
  [ SYMT - 3E ] - Mirror only.
  [ SYMT - 3F ] - Double-Disc only.
  [ SYMT - 3G ] - Horseshoe / Arch.
  [ SYMT - 3H ] - Rectangle.
  [ SYMT - 3I ] - Eagle.
  [ SYMT - 3J ] - Serpent and Z-Rod.
  [ SYMT - 3K ] - Triple Disc.
  [ SYMT - 3L ] - Rectangle and Z-Rod.
  [ SYMT - 3M ] - Fish / Salmon.
  [ SYMT - 3N ] - Mirror Case / Notched Mirror Case.
  [ SYMT - 3R ] - Sundry Symbols.