A witch's mark, also known as a devil's mark or a witch's teat, is a physical mark or abnormality that was believed to be indicative of a person's involvement in witchcraft. The concept of the witch's mark originated during the European witch hunts of the late medieval and early modern periods. These marks were believed to be locations on the body where a witch's familiar, a demonic spirit that aided the witch in their spellcasting, would suckle. The most common areas for these marks to appear were the genitals, underarms, or inside the mouth. It was believed that these familiars would suck blood from these areas, often causing them to become calloused, discolored, or otherwise marked. People who were suspected of being witches were often subjected to examinations by witch-hunters or authorities in order to find these marks.
It was believed that when a pact was made, the Devil would mark the person with his claws or teeth to confirm the deal.
These have traditionally been interpreted as the result of tapers attached to the beams to provide light which have burnt down to the point where they have charred the timber. Rebecca Jones of Essex, England, tried in 1645, had two marks on her left wrist that she stated she got from a handsome young man who knocked on her door, asked to see her left wrist and then pricked it twice with a pin.
People who were suspected of being witches were often subjected to examinations by witch-hunters or authorities in order to find these marks. Methods such as pricking, searching for insensitivity to pain, or even branding were used to find these marks. The presence of a witch's mark was considered strong evidence of witchcraft and could lead to a person being arrested, tried, and subsequently executed.
The Difference Between Apotropaic Marks and Carpenters’ Marks
Carpenters’ marks, expressed in Roman numerals, can be seen in many timber framed buildings. Several of the responses we had from the public were in fact carpenters’ marks, rather than apotropaic marks.
Carpenters’ marks were created with a race knife and used as tags to distinguish various elements of a timber frame and how the entire ensemble should be pieced together. These marks are formed using a straight line often gouged with the u-shaped, or scooped, end of the race knife.
Roman numerals were commonly used to mark up the timber elements of a timber framed building. At their simplest these look fairly familiar, though four is usually represented by IIII, rather than IV. The convention for representing four as IV and nine as IX only emerged as the 16th century progressed and took a considerable time to be universally adopted.
In some cases, people confessed to having these marks under extreme duress or under the influence of torture. These confessions were then used as evidence against them, leading to their conviction even if no physical mark was found. The belief in these marks persisted for centuries, contributing to the hysteria and paranoia surrounding witch trials. While it is now understood that witchcraft and familiars do not exist, the concept of the witch's mark is studied by historians and anthropologists as a reflection of the societal fears and beliefs prevalent during the witch-hunting period. It also serves as a reminder of the power and consequences of collective delusion, superstition, and the dangers of witch-hunts. In conclusion, a witch's mark was a physical mark or abnormality believed to indicate a person's involvement in witchcraft. It was often searched for during witch-hunts and was considered strong evidence of guilt. Although it held no factual basis, the belief in these marks led to the persecution and execution of countless individuals during the European witch trials..
Reviews for "Witch's Mark: The Fascinating History of a Pagan Symbol"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I found "What is a witches mark" to be incredibly boring and lacking in substance. The storyline was weak and predictable, and the characters were one-dimensional. The writing style felt amateurish, with stilted dialogue and repetitive descriptions. Overall, I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend this book to others.
2. John - 1/5 - "What is a witches mark" was one of the worst books I've ever read. The plot was confusing and disjointed, jumping from one unrelated event to another without any clear direction. The characters were uninteresting and unlikable, making it impossible for me to connect with them or care about their fate. The writing itself was clumsy and riddled with grammatical errors. I couldn't wait to finish this book, and I'm glad I did because it was a complete waste of time.
3. Emily - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "What is a witches mark," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The pacing was incredibly slow, and it took forever for anything interesting to happen. The author seemed more interested in describing every little detail than in advancing the plot or developing the characters. The lack of action and suspense made it hard for me to stay engaged with the story. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and uninterested.