THIS IS FAVOURITE OF MINE
This is a favourite of mine.
I first saw this sculpture on a guided tour, and the guide became quite irritated when I asked if it was based on the Salmon of Knowledge myth. He insisted it was simply a statue of a fish. After that, I took everything he said with a grain of salt.
In 1999, to celebrate the return of fish to the River Lagan, the city of Belfast erected a sculpture officially titled "The Salmon of Knowledge," but known locally as "The Big Fish."
In 2006, I asked another tour guide about the sculpture's connection to the Salmon of Knowledge myth, but he seemed confused by my question. Later, I found a quote from a local official stating, "The scales on the Big Fish or Salmon of Knowledge sculpture celebrate the return of fish to the River Lagan."
The Salmon of Knowledge story is a prominent feature in "The Boyhood Deeds of Fionn," which recounts the early adventures of Fionn mac Cumhaill. In the story, a salmon consumes nine hazelnuts that fell into the Well of Wisdom, granting it all the world's knowledge. The first person to eat its flesh would inherit this wisdom.
Several tourist guides describe "The Big Fish," also known as "Bigfish," as a 10-metre long printed ceramic mosaic sculpture by John Kindness, constructed in 1999 and located at Donegall Quay in Belfast, near the Lagan Lookout and Custom House.
The fish's exterior is covered in ceramic tiles adorned with texts and images representing Belfast's history, from Tudor times to present-day newspaper headlines, including contributions from local schoolchildren. Additionally, a time capsule within the Big Fish stores information, images, and poetry related to the city.
While there are sculptures of seals nearby, it is unclear if they are part of the original art installation.
I first saw this sculpture on a guided tour, and the guide became quite irritated when I asked if it was based on the Salmon of Knowledge myth. He insisted it was simply a statue of a fish. After that, I took everything he said with a grain of salt.
In 1999, to celebrate the return of fish to the River Lagan, the city of Belfast erected a sculpture officially titled "The Salmon of Knowledge," but known locally as "The Big Fish."
In 2006, I asked another tour guide about the sculpture's connection to the Salmon of Knowledge myth, but he seemed confused by my question. Later, I found a quote from a local official stating, "The scales on the Big Fish or Salmon of Knowledge sculpture celebrate the return of fish to the River Lagan."
The Salmon of Knowledge story is a prominent feature in "The Boyhood Deeds of Fionn," which recounts the early adventures of Fionn mac Cumhaill. In the story, a salmon consumes nine hazelnuts that fell into the Well of Wisdom, granting it all the world's knowledge. The first person to eat its flesh would inherit this wisdom.
Several tourist guides describe "The Big Fish," also known as "Bigfish," as a 10-metre long printed ceramic mosaic sculpture by John Kindness, constructed in 1999 and located at Donegall Quay in Belfast, near the Lagan Lookout and Custom House.
The fish's exterior is covered in ceramic tiles adorned with texts and images representing Belfast's history, from Tudor times to present-day newspaper headlines, including contributions from local schoolchildren. Additionally, a time capsule within the Big Fish stores information, images, and poetry related to the city.
While there are sculptures of seals nearby, it is unclear if they are part of the original art installation.
THIS IS FAVOURITE OF MINE