Mary, Queen of Scots's Sundial, in the garden of Holyrood Palace 1822

This print by T. Levens depicts Mary, Queen of Scots's sundial in the garden of Holyrood Palace. The sundial, with its geometric facets and layered base, acts as a symbol of time’s passage but also of enduring power and historical continuity. The octagonal shape evokes ancient notions of cosmic order and the cyclical nature of existence. We see echoes of this form in reliquaries and sacred objects across cultures, from the Tower of the Winds in Athens to the octagonal baptisteries of early Christianity, each suggesting a point of intersection between the earthly and the divine. Consider how this sundial might have been charged with the emotional weight of Mary's presence and her tragic fate. The sun, a universal symbol of life and vitality, casts its rays upon the dial, measuring time, yet time ultimately failed to save Mary. This interplay creates a potent psychological tension, engaging viewers on a subconscious level, reminding us of the cyclical progression of life, death, and memory.