About
Lies are said to be bitten off by the yawning maw of this pagan visage.
The Bocca della Verità, or Mouth of Truth, is an ancient carving that has been around since the 1st century CE. It features a tall stone disc formed into the shape of a human face, with hollow holes for eyes and a wide-open mouth. According to superstition, liars have been said to get their hands bitten off inside its gaping maw. The real purpose of this medallion remains unknown and is subject to many theories - ranging from being a well cover to a fountain decoration or manhole cover. Moreover, some scholars conjecture it may represent Faunus - a forest god or Oceanus - a sea god, or even an unidentified river deity.
