Cemetery Symbolism
Friday, 05 August 2011 14:27
Here are just some of the cemetery symbols and their meanings, this is not nearly a complete list as their are many, many symbols used and alot of them may mean different things in different areas this is just a general guide to help those who want a general idea what meaning the symbols they find may mean.
Anchor
Christian symbol for hope. Commonly used in the 18th and 19th centuries to represent the deceased's seafaring profession. Also used, often wrapped in vines, to represent firm Christian faith.
Angel
Messenger between God and man, often portrayed carrying the deceased off to heaven
Ankh
The original meaning of this Egyptian symbol is not known. One suggests that it combines the male and female symbols of Osiris (the cross) and Isis (the oval) and therefore signifies the union of heaven and earth. It is usually portrayed in ancient Egyptian art in the hands of a deity As a hieroglyph, it likely encompassed a range of meanings depending on its associated hieroglyphs but all of these expressions centered around the concept of life or life force.
Over time, the ankh certainly came symbolize life and immortality, the universe, power and life giving air and water. "Its keylike shape also encouraged the belief it could unlock the gates of death."
The Coptic Christians used it as a symbol of life after death. The ankh has been used in magic.
Broken Column
End of life; sorrow. Usually symbolizes a life cut short. It also represents the eventual ruin or decomposition of us all.
Butterfly reserection or rebirth
Cannon and Anchor
Commonly used in the 18th and 19th centuries to represent the deceased's seafaring profession. Also used, often wrapped in vines, to represent firm Christian faith.
IHS
The first three letters in the Greek spelling of Jesus are IHS. In the Middle Ages this was incorrectly interpreted as "Jesus Hominum Salvatore" or "Jesus Savior of Mankind". This interpretation has stuck, and the letters have thus acquired a greater significance than originally understood.
Dove
Holy Spirit, Soul Reaching Peace, Spirituality.
Dove
In Slavic culture, at death the soul turns into a dove. In Visigothic and Romanesque art, it represents souls. In Hinduism, the dove represents the spirit.
Greeks: This bird was sacred to Zeus, to Athena as a symbol of the renewal of life, and to Aphrodite as a symbol of love. To the ancient Egyptians, it signified innocence, and in Islam the dove is the protector of Mohammed In Christianity, the Holy Ghost of the Trinity is often portrayed as a dove. In China it represents longevity and orderliness while in Japan the dove is associated with the war god Hachiman. In Jewish history the dove was sometimes sacrificed for a mother's purification after childbirth. The dove is sometimes an emblem of Israel.
The dove returning to the ark with an olive branch indicated that the land had reappeared after the flood. Signifies peace and security. Doves are often used on a youth or infants headstone. To symbolise inocence.
Greeks: This bird was sacred to Zeus, to Athena as a symbol of the renewal of life, and to Aphrodite as a symbol of love. To the ancient Egyptians, it signified innocence, and in Islam the dove is the protector of Mohammed In Christianity, the Holy Ghost of the Trinity is often portrayed as a dove. In China it represents longevity and orderliness while in Japan the dove is associated with the war god Hachiman. In Jewish history the dove was sometimes sacrificed for a mother's purification after childbirth. The dove is sometimes an emblem of Israel.
The dove returning to the ark with an olive branch indicated that the land had reappeared after the flood. Signifies peace and security. Doves are often used on a youth or infants headstone. To symbolise inocence.
Draped Urn
Sorrow, mourning
Laurel Branch, leaves
Represents special achievement, distinction, success, triumph of worldly accomplishment, and heroism.
Square
Represents morality
Century Plant
imortality, everlasting life
Chain links
Goodfellows organization symbol, three chain links with a broken link or even a hand pulling one link apart often showed the deaths breaking of the chain of life, loss in the family
Cornucopia abundant fruitfull life, also the harvest which represents the end of life.
Cross usually the cross represents Christians or Christ, however their are many different type of crosses that represent different things
Crown and Cross Victory in Death
Hands
This is a very expressive symbol that takes on different meanings depending on its positioning in relation to the body and arrangement of the fingers.
This is a very expressive symbol that takes on different meanings depending on its positioning in relation to the body and arrangement of the fingers.
- The raised hand symbolizes voice and song, placed on the chest it represents the wisdom of the sage, on the neck it depicts sacrifice, covering the eyes it signifies clairvoyance at the moment of death.
- Two hands joined typically signify union. A common hand placement on Jewish tombstones is the two open hands, thumbs touching, with index and middle finger spread away from the ring and pinkie fingers. This gesture, raised above the head, is used by priests to bring God's glory through the hands' openings and to the congregation.
- In Egyptian hieroglyphics, pre-Columbian America and as an amulet in Islamic cultures, the open hand represents a human task and magnetic force. The hand, with its five fingers, takes on the meaning of the number five, i.e., love, health and humanity.
- Handshakes carry a variety of meanings including, greeting, good-bye, friendship, solidarity, unity and agreement, and the doubling of power achieved through partnership.
- The right hand is the life-force or hand of power.
- An eye associated with a hand symbolizes clairvoyant action.
- The hand with finger pointing up signifies the deceaced destination in heaven.
- one hand decending from the clouds to grasp another from above often signifies being taken up to heaven
Inverted Torch
Extinction of life, death.
Extinction of life, death.
Ivy
Immortality, Friendship, Faithfulness. Because it is an evergreen that clings while climbing, it signifies the need for protection. Since it grows quickly, it also symbolizes regeneration, sensuality and revelry. The Greco-Roman god Dionysus, or Bacchus, had an ivy cup and wore a crown of ivy leaves.
Immortality, Friendship, Faithfulness. Because it is an evergreen that clings while climbing, it signifies the need for protection. Since it grows quickly, it also symbolizes regeneration, sensuality and revelry. The Greco-Roman god Dionysus, or Bacchus, had an ivy cup and wore a crown of ivy leaves.
In Greco-Roman mythology this flower was sacred to Hera and Artemis. In Byzantium and early France, it was a royal emblem (the fleur-de-lis is sometimes considered a stylized lily). Primarily the lily has Christian associations, usually attached to the Virgin Mary where it signifies chastity. when Christ is shown as the judge of the world with a lily in his mouth, the flower represents mercy. A lily and a sword signify guilt and innocence.
Lyre (Greek)
Symbol of harmony and heavenly accord. It represents music and song in praise and honor of God
Symbol of harmony and heavenly accord. It represents music and song in praise and honor of God
Obelisk
An upright four-sided pillar, gradually tapering as it rises and cut off at the top in the form of a pyramid, symbol for the Egyptian god, Re, who held the power to recreate, hence, God, lord over all, creator. Like many Egyptian symbols the Obelisk has been incorporated into modern christian cemetery symbolism
An upright four-sided pillar, gradually tapering as it rises and cut off at the top in the form of a pyramid, symbol for the Egyptian god, Re, who held the power to recreate, hence, God, lord over all, creator. Like many Egyptian symbols the Obelisk has been incorporated into modern christian cemetery symbolism
Palm
Signifies Victory and rejoicing. The palm has a variety of sacred and secular associations. In the Cabbala, it symbolizes the righteous man (tzaddik) and was an emblem of Judea after the Exodus. One of the four plants paraded on the Sukkot to celebrate God's bounty, it represents the Jew who studies the Torah but does not obey the commandments. Other interpretations include the spine that bends before God, and God. In Christianity, it signifies righteousness, resurrection, and martyrdom based on Christ's entry into Jerusalem where palm branches were laid in his path. In the Middle Ages, a palm leaf was a badge of pilgrimage to the Holy Land and people wearing it were called 'palmers.' Because of its height and radiating leaves, it was an early fertility and sun symbol. The Babylonians considered it a divine tree because of its association with the sun. In many early Middle Eastern civilizations the palm was a Tree of Life; the Phoenician god Baal-Tamar was the lord of the palm and the palm was the emblem of the goddesses Astarte and Ishtar. In ancient Rome, victors were presented with palm branches and the palm took on victory as its meaning in ancient Rome, Egypt and Greece. The palm has also signified fame and peace. In contemporary, secular culture it represents tropical delights
Signifies Victory and rejoicing. The palm has a variety of sacred and secular associations. In the Cabbala, it symbolizes the righteous man (tzaddik) and was an emblem of Judea after the Exodus. One of the four plants paraded on the Sukkot to celebrate God's bounty, it represents the Jew who studies the Torah but does not obey the commandments. Other interpretations include the spine that bends before God, and God. In Christianity, it signifies righteousness, resurrection, and martyrdom based on Christ's entry into Jerusalem where palm branches were laid in his path. In the Middle Ages, a palm leaf was a badge of pilgrimage to the Holy Land and people wearing it were called 'palmers.' Because of its height and radiating leaves, it was an early fertility and sun symbol. The Babylonians considered it a divine tree because of its association with the sun. In many early Middle Eastern civilizations the palm was a Tree of Life; the Phoenician god Baal-Tamar was the lord of the palm and the palm was the emblem of the goddesses Astarte and Ishtar. In ancient Rome, victors were presented with palm branches and the palm took on victory as its meaning in ancient Rome, Egypt and Greece. The palm has also signified fame and peace. In contemporary, secular culture it represents tropical delights
Lotus
An aquatic plant native to southern Asia and Australia, having large leaves, pinkish flowers, a broad, rounded, perforated seedpod, and fleshy rhizomes.
Purity, Resurrection, Evolution, Potential. Commonly used in ancient Egypt and in Hinduism, the flower is sacred in Buddhism. "It symbolizes the creation of life from the slime of the primordial waters (Gibson, p. 24). The closed lotus represents potential. Depending on the number of petals, the lotus' symbolism changes, shaped by the symbolism of the number. With eight petals, it represents cosmic harmony, with 1,000 petals it means spiritual revelation. The lotus is the emblem of India and Egypt.
Cf., lotus-eaters in Homer's "Odyssey."
An aquatic plant native to southern Asia and Australia, having large leaves, pinkish flowers, a broad, rounded, perforated seedpod, and fleshy rhizomes.
Purity, Resurrection, Evolution, Potential. Commonly used in ancient Egypt and in Hinduism, the flower is sacred in Buddhism. "It symbolizes the creation of life from the slime of the primordial waters (Gibson, p. 24). The closed lotus represents potential. Depending on the number of petals, the lotus' symbolism changes, shaped by the symbolism of the number. With eight petals, it represents cosmic harmony, with 1,000 petals it means spiritual revelation. The lotus is the emblem of India and Egypt.
Cf., lotus-eaters in Homer's "Odyssey."
Rose
Completion, Achievement, Perfection. Meanings vary depending on the color, shape and number of petals. For example, the blue rose symbolizes the impossible, the golden rose the pinnacle of achievement, an eight petal rose regeneration. Scales Justice, Balance. Originating in Chaldea as the mystic symbol of justice, it represents the equivalence of guilt and punishment. From the zodiacal archetype of Libra it represents immanent justice, the idea that guilt automatically unleashes the forces that bring self-destruction and punishment (Cirlot p. 279). The rose is shown in a variety of conditions as well. A tightly closed rose with a brocken stem often signifies a life ended too soon/ youth. full blown roses mayy show a full life or elderly deceased.
Completion, Achievement, Perfection. Meanings vary depending on the color, shape and number of petals. For example, the blue rose symbolizes the impossible, the golden rose the pinnacle of achievement, an eight petal rose regeneration. Scales Justice, Balance. Originating in Chaldea as the mystic symbol of justice, it represents the equivalence of guilt and punishment. From the zodiacal archetype of Libra it represents immanent justice, the idea that guilt automatically unleashes the forces that bring self-destruction and punishment (Cirlot p. 279). The rose is shown in a variety of conditions as well. A tightly closed rose with a brocken stem often signifies a life ended too soon/ youth. full blown roses mayy show a full life or elderly deceased.
Sarcophagus another symbol that is often Egyptian inspired. representing the eternal housing of the body.
Sextant
A symbol of a navigator or explorer often a symbol of the Masons
A symbol of a navigator or explorer often a symbol of the Masons
Crescent Moon, Scimitaur and Star are often Shriner symbols
Star
The Spirit, Divine Presence, Enlightenment, Wisdom, Human Aspiration. Represents light struggling against darkness. The Babylonian goddess Ishtar's emblem was an eight-pointed star and females such as Astarte, Isis, and the Virgin Mary are often pictured with a crown of stars. Stars are sometimes believed to be the souls of the dead with comets being seen as foretellers of doom and a sign of the anger of the sun god. Stars often take on additional meaning depending on their color, shape, number of points and arrangement. The most common, the five pointed star, comes from Egyptian hieroglyphics where it meant "rising upwards toward the point of origin" and formed part of words such as "to bring up," "to educate," "the teacher," (Cirlot, p. 310).
The Spirit, Divine Presence, Enlightenment, Wisdom, Human Aspiration. Represents light struggling against darkness. The Babylonian goddess Ishtar's emblem was an eight-pointed star and females such as Astarte, Isis, and the Virgin Mary are often pictured with a crown of stars. Stars are sometimes believed to be the souls of the dead with comets being seen as foretellers of doom and a sign of the anger of the sun god. Stars often take on additional meaning depending on their color, shape, number of points and arrangement. The most common, the five pointed star, comes from Egyptian hieroglyphics where it meant "rising upwards toward the point of origin" and formed part of words such as "to bring up," "to educate," "the teacher," (Cirlot, p. 310).
Stars, there are many different types of stars that have alot of different meanings, usually in context with other symbols on the monument. many stars were popular on civil war headstones representing armed service for example. the number of points and their position are often important to determine which star it is.
Torch
Turned upside down, it represents death. Right side up, it symbolizes life and the regenerative power of fire. It has been used in initiation and fertility rites in many cultures and was the emblem, in Greek mythology, of Eros and Aphrodite, symbolizing the flame of love. In Christianity, the torch represents purification through God's illuminating the spirit, and Christ as the Light of the World. Associated with one of the seven deadly sins, it represents anger. The torch is also seen as an emblem of places of learning and signifies truth and intelligence.
Turned upside down, it represents death. Right side up, it symbolizes life and the regenerative power of fire. It has been used in initiation and fertility rites in many cultures and was the emblem, in Greek mythology, of Eros and Aphrodite, symbolizing the flame of love. In Christianity, the torch represents purification through God's illuminating the spirit, and Christ as the Light of the World. Associated with one of the seven deadly sins, it represents anger. The torch is also seen as an emblem of places of learning and signifies truth and intelligence.
Tree Trunk/ Stump
Brevity of life. these were often members of the Woodmen of the World an organisation that offered its members a guarenteed headstone for their grave. the trunk is often cut short to represent the end of life, sometimes branches and roots show ancestors and children or spouses names, some of which may share the monument and grave.
Brevity of life. these were often members of the Woodmen of the World an organisation that offered its members a guarenteed headstone for their grave. the trunk is often cut short to represent the end of life, sometimes branches and roots show ancestors and children or spouses names, some of which may share the monument and grave.
Urn, another representation of the remains location and protection
Willow Tree
Perpetual mourning and grief, there are more variations of this symbol than any other as individual carvers all interpited their own willow, often call the weeping willow they were combined with many other symbols such as the lamb, the urn, Ivy, stars, weeping mourners and Obolisks for example.
Perpetual mourning and grief, there are more variations of this symbol than any other as individual carvers all interpited their own willow, often call the weeping willow they were combined with many other symbols such as the lamb, the urn, Ivy, stars, weeping mourners and Obolisks for example.
Winged sun disk and cobras
Sun
A Symbol of light and warmth, renewed life and life everlasting. The winged sun is a symbol of royal dignity from the Ancient Kingdom. This is an ancient Egyptian symbol which represents the journey of the sun. Ra was the creator of the world, ancestor of the pharaohs and god of the sun (symbolized by the solar disk) and skies (symbolized by the wings).
Wreath
Victory in Death. there are many versoins of these as well. often an epitaph was placed in the center of these or ribbon with writing upon it
Victory in Death. there are many versoins of these as well. often an epitaph was placed in the center of these or ribbon with writing upon it
More to come!
Last Updated ( Friday, 11 November 2011 15:54 )