THERE ARE NOW TWO BIGFISH IN BELFAST
Belfast's Aquatic Sentinels: A Comparative Analysis of the City's "Salmon of Knowledge" Artworks
Belfast, a city rich in history and cultural narratives, is now home to two distinctive public artworks inspired by the revered "Salmon of Knowledge." These pieces, while sharing a core theme, offer divergent artistic interpretations and mythological underpinnings, each contributing uniquely to the city's vibrant public art landscape.
This report delves into the origins, symbolism, and cultural resonance of both the established "Big Fish" sculpture and the more recent "Salmon of Knowledge" mural. It explores their connections to Irish mythology and examines potential cross-cultural influences.
The Lagan Weir's "Big Fish": An Emblem of Irish Lore
The "Big Fish," officially known as "The Salmon of Knowledge," stands as one of Belfast's most recognisable landmarks. It is situated prominently on the banks of the River Lagan near Donegall Quay. This iconic sculpture, created by artist John Kindness in 1999, was commissioned by the Laganside Corporation to commemorate the regeneration of the River Lagan area. Its strategic placement beside the Lagan Weir footbridge ensures its visibility and accessibility, making it a must-see for visitors exploring Belfast's city centre and waterfront.
The sculpture itself is a formidable presence, measuring 10 metres (approximately 33 feet) in length. Its striking blue-and-white exterior is composed of over 300 hand-painted ceramic tiles, crafted using traditional Delft techniques. What truly distinguishes this artwork is the intricate detail embedded within each tile: they feature a mosaic of texts, images, and newspaper clippings that collectively narrate Belfast's rich and complex history.
From Tudor times to modern-day headlines, these scales tell stories, incorporating contributions from local schoolchildren, including depictions of a soldier and an Ulster Fry. This deliberate inclusion of historical fragments elevates the sculpture beyond mere public art; it functions as a multifaceted historical archive, a tangible repository of civic memory. The presence of a time capsule within the sculpture, storing information, images, and poetry from local people and schoolchildren, further reinforces its role as a living historical record, designed to capture and convey the city's narrative across generations. This intentional layering of historical data within the artwork establishes a dynamic and continuous dialogue with the city's past and present, suggesting a conscious decision by its creators to embed Belfast's evolving narrative within a symbol of wisdom and regeneration.
While its official title is "The Salmon of Knowledge," the sculpture is affectionately and widely referred to by locals and tour guides as "The Big Fish," "Bigfish," or simply "The Fish." This popular nomenclature underscores its prominent place in the city's collective consciousness.
The Mythological Heart: Fionn mac Cumhaill and the Salmon of Knowledge
The sculpture's official name and popular nickname are deeply rooted in the ancient Irish legend of "An Bradán Feasa," the Salmon of Knowledge, a pivotal creature within the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. This cycle chronicles the heroic exploits of Fionn mac Cumhaill, a legendary warrior renowned for his wisdom, courage, and leadership of the Fianna.
The legend recounts how an ordinary salmon gained all the world's knowledge by consuming nine hazelnuts that fell into the Well of Wisdom (An Tobar Segais) from nine surrounding hazel trees. A prophecy foretold that the first person to taste its flesh would inherit this profound knowledge. The poet Finnegas spent seven years diligently fishing for this magical salmon.
Upon finally catching it, he instructed his servant, the young Fionn mac Cumhaill, to cook the fish but strictly forbade him from eating any part of it. While cooking, Fionn accidentally burnt his thumb on a drop of hot fat from the salmon and instinctively sucked on it to ease the pain. Unbeknownst to him, all the salmon's wisdom had concentrated into that single drop. When Fionn presented the cooked meal to Finnegas, his master immediately perceived a newfound wisdom shining in the boy's eyes. Realising what had transpired, Finnegas instructed Fionn to consume the rest of the fish, thus bestowing upon him all the knowledge of the world. For the remainder of his life, Fionn could access this vast reservoir of wisdom simply by biting his thumb. This accidental acquisition of deep knowledge and insight allowed Fionn to ascend to leadership of the Fianna, becoming a celebrated figure in Irish myth.
The "Big Fish" sculpture explicitly pays tribute to this myth, serving as a powerful symbol of wisdom, storytelling, and the critical importance of learning from the past. This symbolism directly mirrors Belfast's own journey, reflecting its capacity to learn from its history, adapt, and emerge wiser and stronger from past challenges. The choice of the Salmon of Knowledge as a symbol for the Lagan Weir sculpture transcends a simple mythological reference; it acts as a profound metaphor for Belfast's post-conflict regeneration and environmental recovery, particularly as its construction also celebrated "the return of fish to the River Lagan." The "wisdom" gained from the salmon, in this context, can be interpreted as the collective sagacity derived from overcoming adversity and rebuilding, positioning the sculpture as a public declaration of hope and progressive identity. Local folklore even suggests that kissing the sculpture can bestow the gift of wisdom.
Fintan mac Bóchra: The Ancient Sage
Another figure sometimes identified with the Salmon of Knowledge in Irish mythology is Fintan mac Bóchra, known as "The Wise." Fintan is portrayed as a primordial seer who survived the biblical deluge by transforming into various animal forms, including a salmon, an eagle, and a hawk, before reverting to human form. He lived for an astounding 5,500 years, witnessing and accumulating knowledge of all major historical events in Ireland, thus becoming a living repository of the island's history and wisdom.
It is important to differentiate Fintan mac Bóchra from the Salmon of Knowledge of Fionn mac Cumhaill's tale, as they are sometimes conflated. A notable detail regarding Fintan's transformation is that he is described in one account as becoming a "one-eyed salmon." This specific characteristic is significant, as it explicitly contradicts any notion of a multi-eyed salmon within the traditional Irish mythological context. The traditional Irish myth of the Salmon of Knowledge, as consumed by Fionn, centres on the absorption of wisdom from nine hazelnuts, not from the fish possessing multiple eyes. This fundamental divergence between the traditional Irish myth and the description of the new mural, particularly concerning the number of eyes, immediately suggests that the mural's inspiration, if it indeed features nine eyes, must originate from a different mythological tradition or represent a modern artistic reinterpretation.
The Ulster Bank Mural: Veks van Hillik's Nine-Eyed Salmon
Belfast's public art narrative has recently gained a new chapter with the emergence of a mural also titled "Salmon of Knowledge." This artwork has taken the place of Elisabeth Frink's renowned "Flying Figures" sculpture. The "Flying Figures," commissioned in 1961 and unveiled in 1964, were originally affixed to the Ulster Bank building in Shaftesbury Square. These aluminium sculptures were conceived to embody the dynamism of modern city life. Their long-standing presence in the city meant they were affectionately known by the public as 'Draft and Overdraft.' In 2023, Ulster Bank generously gifted these sculptures to the national collection, with plans for their future display at the Ulster Museum.
The replacement of such a well-established and publicly recognised artwork signifies a dynamic shift in Belfast's public art landscape. This transition may indicate a desire for new narratives, a re-evaluation of urban aesthetics, or a response to evolving community identities and contemporary artistic trends, demonstrating that public art is not static but evolves with the city's cultural pulse, reflecting ongoing societal dialogues and urban development.
The southern gable wall of the former Ulster Bank building is now adorned with a striking mural by French street artist Veks van Hillik. This impressive artwork measures approximately 80m², establishing it as one of the largest murals in Belfast and ensuring a significant visual impact within the urban landscape. Inspired by the legendary tale of the Salmon of Knowledge, Hillik's mural explicitly depicts a nine-eyed fish, serving as a powerful symbol of wisdom and insight. This new theme stands in stark contrast to the financial connotations of the previous sculptures' affectionate nicknames, 'Draft and Overdraft', signifying a notable shift in the building's public narrative. Veks van Hillik's artistic style is distinctive, drawing from the techniques of Flemish painters of past centuries like Jan van Eyck, and incorporating landscapes from his native Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France, blending local Irish myth with an international artistic perspective. His aim is to transport viewers into an "enchanting surreality."
It is worth noting that another mural also titled "Salmon of Knowledge" exists in Belfast, created by artist Lesley Cherry. This mural is located behind the Windsor Women's Centre on Broadway in South Belfast and depicts "A woman standing in the sea befriends a giant salmon" with thematic text "Trust – Knowledge – Grow – Teach – Play – Love." However, this is a distinct artwork from the nine-eyed mural by Veks van Hillik.
The use of the "Salmon of Knowledge" name for this new mural directly links it to the established Irish myth and the first "Big Fish" sculpture. The explicit visual difference of nine eyes, coupled with the mural's thematic text, suggests a deliberate reinterpretation rather than a literal replication of the traditional myth. This reinterpretation indicates that public art in Belfast is not merely preserving historical narratives but actively engaging with and evolving them. By taking a well-known local symbol and adding an unconventional element like multiple eyes, the artist may be inviting viewers to consider new layers of meaning, perhaps blending traditional local lore with broader, universal symbols of wisdom or perception, or even introducing new, personal interpretations relevant to the community it serves. This act of re-imaging allows the art to remain relevant and provoke contemporary thought in a changing urban environment.
Unravelling the Nine-Eyed Motif: Beyond Irish Shores
The confirmed presence of nine eyes on this new "Salmon of Knowledge" mural immediately prompts an investigation into its symbolic origins, as it significantly deviates from the traditional Irish mythological depiction. As previously established, the Irish Salmon of Knowledge gains its wisdom from consuming nine hazelnuts, not from possessing multiple eyes. Furthermore, Fintan mac Bóchra, a figure linked to the Salmon of Knowledge, is even described as "one-eyed" in some accounts. This strongly suggests that the mural's inspiration for the nine eyes, if present, likely lies outside the direct traditional Irish narrative.
The Mystical Number Nine in Celtic Tradition
The number nine holds profound mystical significance within Celtic mythology, often described as "thrice the sacred triple" and representing principles of perfection, balance, and order. This numerical symbolism is pervasive across various Celtic narratives.
Crucially, the traditional Irish Salmon of Knowledge legend directly incorporates the number nine through the nine hazelnuts that fall into the Well of Wisdom (An Tobar Segais), which are consumed by the salmon, thereby granting it its knowledge. This is the primary and direct link between the number nine and the Salmon of Knowledge in Irish lore, but it pertains to the source of wisdom, not the fish's physical form.
Beyond the salmon, the number nine appears in other significant Celtic contexts:
- The powerful Celtic goddess Morrígan is associated with nine loose tresses, symbolising creation, death, life-giving, and life-taking, embodying dual aspects of the Great Mother.
- The Tuatha Dé Danann cast nine waves into a storm to prevent the Milesians from landing on Irish shores.
- Nine white deer are associated with Saint Gobnait.
- The horse goddess Macha inflicted nine generations of birthing pangs upon the men of Ulster.
- The nine Morgens of the Isle of Avalon were skilled priestesses in various arts, including astronomy, healing, and shapeshifting.
- Norse legends, which share some thematic overlaps with Celtic traditions, also connect the number nine to Odin's nine days on the tree and the nine wave-daughters of the sea.
Given the pervasive symbolism of the number nine in broader Celtic tradition, it could provide a conceptual link for the mural's design, even if the traditional Irish Salmon of Knowledge does not have nine eyes. The artist might be drawing on this wider Celtic significance of nine as a number of profound wisdom, completeness, or transformation, and applying it visually to the salmon, rather than literally depicting a multi-eyed creature from Irish folklore. This would constitute an artistic interpretation that resonates with the cultural context without being a direct mythological depiction.
Multi-Eyed Beings in Global Folklore
The user's query specifically asks about Central or Eastern European traditions for a nine-eyed fish. However, a comprehensive review of the provided information for these regions reveals no explicit mention of multi-eyed fish, let alone nine-eyed fish. While Slavic folklore describes various water spirits and shapeshifting creatures, such as the Vodyanoy, who can transform into a giant moss-covered fish, or the Bolotnik, a swamp spirit sometimes depicted with "big, frog-like eyes" or as "eyeless," none feature the specific characteristic of multiple eyes. Similarly, Baltic folklore, as exemplified by the legend of Jūratė and Kastytis, focuses on sea goddesses and human-fish relationships without mention of multi-eyed aquatic beings. This indicates a lack of direct support for the user's hypothesis from the provided material regarding a specific Central or Eastern European nine-eyed fish tradition.
However, other European and global mythologies do offer parallels for multi-eyed creatures:
- Scottish Mythology: A notable and highly relevant parallel exists in Scottish myth with the Burach Bhadi, a large eel-leech creature explicitly described as having nine eyes. This aquatic, multi-eyed being lurks in man-made lakes and is known for draining the blood of horses. While its nature is malevolent, it provides a direct example of a nine-eyed aquatic creature within a European context.
- Greek Mythology: Argus Panoptes, a giant from Greek mythology, is famously known for his "perpetual vigilance" and is often depicted with numerous eyes, sometimes as many as a hundred. His eyes were later incorporated into the peacock's tail by Hera. While not specifically a fish or having nine eyes, the concept of "all-seeing" and multiple eyes for guardianship or heightened perception is clearly present in European mythology.
- Chinese Mythology: The Bai Ze is a supernatural beast from Chinese mythology, resembling a white ox with six horns and nine eyes (three on its head, three on its broad sides). It is regarded as a good omen and a symbol of good luck, capable of human speech. This provides a clear example of a nine-eyed creature, albeit not an aquatic one.
- Egyptian Tradition: The concept of the "Nine Eyes of Light" or "Nine Bodies of Light" represents profound ruling principles of Egyptian spirituality, culture, and art. These "nine lenses" symbolise different layers of consciousness and ways of interpreting reality, allowing for multi-dimensional understanding. This is a powerful symbolic connection to "nine eyes" representing profound knowledge or perception, even if not a literal creature, and conceptually aligns with the idea of a "Salmon of Knowledge" as a source of wisdom.
Interpreting the Mural's Symbolism
Based on the available research, there is no strong direct evidence of a nine-eyed fish tradition specifically within Central or Eastern European folklore that would directly explain the mural's supposed feature. This redirects the search for inspiration towards other traditions or towards a purely symbolic/artistic interpretation by the artist.
If the mural does indeed feature nine eyes, several interpretations are plausible:
- Symbolic Celtic Reinforcement: The artist, Veks van Hillik, might have chosen nine eyes to visually reinforce the profound significance of the number nine in Celtic mythology and its association with the Salmon of Knowledge through the nine hazelnuts. This would expand the visual metaphor of wisdom and deep knowledge, making the concept of "all-knowing" more explicit through a visual representation of heightened perception. This would be an artistic interpretation rather than a literal mythological depiction.
- Influence from Other Mythologies: The mural could draw inspiration from other traditions featuring multi-eyed creatures, such as the Scottish Burach Bhadi or the Chinese Bai Ze, or even the broader concept of "all-seeing" from figures like Argus Panoptes, adapting these elements into a local context.
- Modern Artistic Interpretation: It is highly plausible that the nine eyes are a unique artistic choice by Veks van Hillik, a contemporary reinterpretation of the Salmon of Knowledge that aims to imbue it with a heightened sense of perception, omniscience, or multi-dimensional understanding. This could potentially draw from universal symbols of profound consciousness, such as the Egyptian "Nine Eyes of Light" concept. The mural's thematic text, "Trust – Knowledge – Grow – Teach – Play – Love," further suggests a contemporary, perhaps more humanistic or community-focused, interpretation of wisdom and its acquisition, where knowledge is intertwined with positive societal values. This approach allows the mural to serve as a modern synthesis of traditional local naming with a broader, potentially universal, visual language of spiritual or intellectual depth, reflecting a contemporary artistic approach to ancient themes.
Conclusion: Belfast's Layered Narratives of Wisdom
Belfast's two "Big Fish" artworks, while both invoking the "Salmon of Knowledge," represent distinct approaches to public art and cultural storytelling. The "Big Fish" sculpture by John Kindness stands as a direct and multifaceted embodiment of the traditional Irish Salmon of Knowledge myth, deeply integrated with Belfast's history and urban regeneration. Its ceramic tiles and internal time capsule render it a unique historical archive, a tangible record of the city's journey and resilience. This artwork serves as a powerful symbol of Belfast's capacity to learn from its past and embrace future growth.
In contrast, the newer "Salmon of Knowledge" mural by Veks van Hillik, while sharing the iconic name, explicitly features nine eyes. This feature prompts a broader exploration of symbolic meanings beyond strict adherence to traditional Irish iconography. The absence of a direct multi-eyed fish tradition in Central or Eastern European folklore within the provided data suggests that the mural's design may instead draw upon the pervasive mystical significance of the number nine in Celtic tradition, or even broader, more universal concepts of heightened perception and profound knowledge found in other global mythologies. It is likely a modern artistic interpretation that recontextualises the ancient myth, blending local heritage with a contemporary visual language that speaks to universal themes of wisdom and understanding.
This layering of meaning enriches Belfast's cultural landscape, inviting deeper engagement with its past, present, and the diverse influences that shape its identity. Together, these artworks demonstrate the dynamic nature of public art in a living city, showcasing how traditional narratives can be reinterpreted and expanded upon to reflect evolving societal dialogues and artistic visions. They serve as compelling visual anchors, prompting residents and visitors alike to reflect on the multifaceted nature of knowledge and the enduring power of myth in shaping urban identity.