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An Element of Serpent Row Effigy Design
A Possible Serpent Effigy Displays Sweeping Side-Fins
Exploring in the Boylston, Massachusetts area in December, we came across this stone row whose apparent simplicity was deceptive as, upon closer inspection, I discovered that — in some sections — it displayed what appeared to me to be Ancient Great Horned and Feathered Serpent Iconography, in the form of a Sweeping Side-Fin, a design I’ve seen elsewhere in New England.
These stone rows are likely Indigenous Serpent Effigies, Serpents depicted in stone, and older than many people imagine. Some of the work is on full display, but we don’t see it. Not usually. Our minds seem to filter out the perception of design in the stones, the likelihood this is stonework, unless we learn to see a little differently.
I’d been seeing, a simple, prominent, yet iconic Serpent Effigy work pattern repeated elsewhere in New England, representing side fins sweeping off a Serpent form. I believe this pattern to be indicative of Indigenous stonework, but admit the Serpentine attribution is speculative.
I discovered that, in order to explain what I was seeing, it helped to sketch it out for folks. This is perhaps a bit more stylized than realistic, in that it accentuates the features I’m pointing out.
I think we all might be able to see this work if we de-condition ourselves a little. Our rational brain often filters out our mind’s tendency towards pareidolia, “the tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful image in a random or ambiguous visual pattern” (Merriam-Webster) — like seeing shapes in clouds, or faces on cars. We’re not supposed to see Serpents in New England, we’re supposed to see Stone Walls. Serpents get filtered out. A stone construct which could be portraying the side fins of an Indigenous Great Horned and Feathered Serpent Form somewhere else in the Americas might be easier to see. More expected.
Sometimes, a drawing can help. I’ve drawn a stylized version of this section of the Serpent Form, then separately highlighted the side fins (aqua), and the top ridge fins (yellow) so…
