Texts from the second half of the sixteenth century often express the idea that natural phenomena such as comets, the northern lights and weather suns are omens that warn of coming misfortunes. Deformities in humans and animals could also be perceived as signs of doom, as could fictional visions of dragons or fighting Turks in the sky.

Recent research has highlighted that texts on the signs of the zodiac were mostly written by representatives of the Protestant church, expressing the view that the signs were sent by God to warn of the coming punishment of sin and ultimately the apocalypse. From being regarded as a ridiculous interest among older peoples, the doctrine of signs has been recognized as a central component of early Lutheranism.

In Sweden, there is a manuscript created by Joen Petri Klint, a vicar in Östergötland at the end of the 16th century. In 400 pages, it describes iron signs in words and pictures. My studies have shown the clear connection between this and other similar texts from different parts of Europe at the same time. The leaves of the manuscript have been bound in a completely different order than they were originally. Therefore, I have tried to restore the order digitally and found that the manuscript mainly deals with iron signs between 1550 and 1601, presented in chronological order. The project aims to complete a transcription of the manuscript and to present my research on Joen Petri Klint and his book of yarns.