Salmon of Wisdom Stained Glass Sculpture
The Salmon of Wisdom
The Salmon of Wisdom comes from Irish mythology. The salmon is an enduring symbol of life, death and rebirth. It lives in sacred rivers and returns to die in the place of its birth to regenerate by laying eggs and creating new life.
The legend goes, that the famed Salmon obtained wisdom by living in a sacred well, where the hazel nut Tree of Knowledge grew. When the nuts (kernels of knowledge) fell from the tree and into the well, the Salmon ate them. The Salmon ate seven nuts from the tree of knowledge and became very wise. Legend tells us that the Salmon selects certain individuals to receive this knowledge by allowing itself to be caught and eaten. Early illustrations of this “Sacred Salmon” appear in the Book of Kells.
This Salmon of Wisdom is shown meditating on and ingesting the bright hazelnuts. His tail has a Celtic knot to reveal his ancient history.
This stained glass free-standing sculpture measures 17" x 17" and is seated on a black powder coated 4 leg stand. The piece includes Blenko glass rondels and three German jewels.