The Head of Bran by George Meredith – Study of Seven Princes carrying the Head of Bran 1860

This is a pencil study by John Everett Millais titled "Study of Seven Princes carrying the Head of Bran," illustrating a scene from Welsh mythology. We see seven figures, their hands clasped, bearing the head of Bran the Blessed. This act of carrying a severed head echoes ancient rituals where the head, the seat of the soul, was preserved to retain power and wisdom. Consider the Celts, who often kept the heads of revered ancestors or defeated enemies as trophies of war and sources of spiritual strength. We can see this motif re-emerge throughout history, with the rise of the relic cults in the Middle Ages. Relics were seen as powerful objects, often containing the bones or personal effects of saints, and were believed to have the power to heal, protect, and intercede with the divine. The psychological impact of the severed head is profound. It evokes primal fears of death, loss, and dismemberment, yet simultaneously fascinates us with the potential for continued existence beyond physical demise. Through time the symbol evolves, yet still reminds us of the continuous cycle of death and rebirth.