Painting = Magic!
I was just reading this interesting blog about possible origins of the place name Teversham, and came across this quote from Eilert Ekwall:
Old English tīefran ['to paint'] corresponds to German zauburn, Dutch tooveren 'to practice sorcery', and Old English tēafor 'red pigment' to Old High German zoubar, Old Frisian tāver, Old Norse taufr, 'sorcery'.
I had come across the idea that pagan Saxon magic involved singing before, but this was the first time I'd come across the idea of sorcerous Saxon painting.
I was reminded of the magical painting in Over Sea, Under Stone: "He has painted his spells!" Now I want to use this idea in a story.
Old English tīefran ['to paint'] corresponds to German zauburn, Dutch tooveren 'to practice sorcery', and Old English tēafor 'red pigment' to Old High German zoubar, Old Frisian tāver, Old Norse taufr, 'sorcery'.
I had come across the idea that pagan Saxon magic involved singing before, but this was the first time I'd come across the idea of sorcerous Saxon painting.
I was reminded of the magical painting in Over Sea, Under Stone: "He has painted his spells!" Now I want to use this idea in a story.