Witches' marks in English churches are actually stonemason practice drills.

For decades, historians have been perplexed by enigmatic symbols etched onto the walls of ancient structures throughout England. Now, after years of speculation, researchers have uncovered the true significance behind these so-called "witches' marks." Frequently identified as daisy wheels or hexafoils, these designs appear frequently within medieval churches and domestic residences nationwide.

Previous theories often attributed these carvings to ritualistic protection or mystical purposes. However, Professor Jennifer Alexander of Warwick University, an expert in architectural history and author of *Stonemasons' Marks*, has clarified the matter. She asserts that the markings are merely practice exercises left by stonemasons during their work.

Professor Alexander likened the symbols to a common school exercise involving compasses. "Do you remember at school when you were first given a pair of compasses and you made a daisy wheel? It's that," she told *The Guardian*. She noted that hundreds of such marks exist, displaying varying levels of craftsmanship. These exercises likely served as training tools for apprentices, helping them develop skills in working with challenging materials like stone.

Historic England previously conducted a survey confirming the widespread nature of these symbols across the country. Their findings described the hexafoil or daisy wheel as the most prevalent mark recorded. The designs range from simple single circles to intricate, interlinked patterns. Respondents indicated that these marks are found throughout all regions of England on structures dating from the medieval period through the 19th century, including homes, farm buildings, and churches. While exact dates remain uncertain for many instances, later examples have been discovered on 19th-century buildings, exceeding earlier expectations regarding their timeline.

The discussion gained renewed attention in 2024 when Rick Berry, a volunteer with English Heritage, identified several circular carvings at Gainsborough Old Hall in Lincolnshire. Mr. Berry initially suggested these might possess mystical significance. Among the marks he found were simple circles lacking the internal six-petal design characteristic of a daisy wheel or hexafoil.

Historic England once suggested that the geometric symbols found on ancient buildings served as protective wards against demons. However, Professor Jennifer Alexander has since dispelled this notion, stating there is no factual basis to support the idea that these marks were witches' signatures. Instead, she argues that the designs are merely test patterns left by stonemasons practicing their craft.

According to a prior investigation conducted by Historic England, such mysterious markings are widespread throughout England. Professor Alexander explains that these "daisy wheels" represent exercises in drawing on stone and mastering the use of compasses for geometric construction. She notes the technical difficulty involved: creating a perfect circle with a compass requires significant skill because the wrist must be held in an awkward position. While this challenge is evident when working on paper, executing the same task on a hard stone surface presents an even greater obstacle, necessitating formal training for those who wish to replicate it.

This revelation regarding architectural graffiti arrives shortly after researchers debunked the legendary Cottingley Fairies photographs. More than a century ago, two young girls published five images depicting fairies in their aunt's garden in Cottingley, West Yorkshire. The photos were featured in *The Strand* magazine by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who remarked that if authentic, they would represent a turning point in human thinking.

Near the end of their lives, Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths acknowledged fabricating the first four images, though Griffiths maintained that the final photograph was genuine. Despite this controversy, scientists from the University of Bradford examined the cameras used to capture the images and detected no irregularities. Professor Andrew Wilson, a researcher at the university, concluded that while fairies were not discovered, the analysis revealed a different kind of wonder. He observed that modern scanning technology allows for non-invasive inspection of objects with unprecedented detail, offering a glimpse into history without causing damage.