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Kazimiera
05-24-2015, 02:35 AM
A Graphic Guide to Cemetery Symbolism

Source: http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/a-graphic-guide-to-cemetery-symbolism?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=atlas-page

To convey the lives of the people buried beneath them, and the expectations for what comes after death, symbolism has long been part of tombstones. Below is our guide to some of the most prevalent cemetery symbols. Take it along on your next wander through the necropolis!

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Jägerstaffel
05-24-2015, 05:59 AM
Old grave art is stirring in its solemn macabre dignity. My grandmother and grandfather are buried in a graveyard that was established in 1853 which is set upon several hills with winding paths. I guess that many of the memorials were erected during the heyday of Victorian era monuments and above-ground vaults. Italianate marble mausoleums and weeping angels line the paths.

Kazimiera
09-20-2016, 07:47 PM
Cemetery Symbolism

Alpha and Omega

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Alpha (A), the first letter of the Greek alphabet, and Omega (Ω), the last letter, are often found combined into a single symbol representing Christ.

Revelation 22:13 in the King James version of the Bible says "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." For this reason, the juxtaposed symbols often represent God's eternity, or the "beginning" and the "end." The two symbols are sometimes found used with the Chi Rho (PX) symbol. Individually, Alpha and Omega are also symbols of eternity that pre-exist Christianity.


Anchor

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Early Christians used the anchor as a disguised cross, and as a marker to guide the way to secret meeting places. A Christian symbol of hope, it is found as funerary symbolism in the art of the catacombs. Often set amongst rocks. It can also be an occupational symbol in sea-faring areas or the attribute of Saint Nicholas, patron saint of seamen, symbolized hope and steadfastness. An anchor with a broken chain stands for the cessation of life.


Angels

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Angels found in the cemetery are a symbol of spirituality. They guard the tomb and are thought to be messengers between God and man.

The angel, or "messenger of God," may appear in many different poses, each with its own individual meaning. An angel with open wings is thought to represent the flight of the soul to heaven. Angels may also be shown carrying the deceased in their arms, as if taking or escorting them to heaven. A weeping angel symbolizes grief, especially mourning an untimely death. An angel blowing a trumpet may depict the day of judgement.
Two specific angels can often be identified by the instruments they carry - Michael by his sword and Gabriel with her horn.


Book

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A book found on a cemetery tombstone can represent many different things, including the book of life, often represented as the Bible.

A book on a gravestone may also depict learning, a scholar, a prayer, memory, or someone who worked as a writer, book seller, or publisher. Books and scrolls can also represent the Evangelists.


Calla Lily

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A symbol reminiscent of the Victorian era, the calla lilly represents majestic beauty and is often used to represent marriage or resurrection.


Celtic Cross or Irish Cross

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The circle around the crosspiece symbolizes eternity. It's origin can be traced to the Celtic cultures of the British Isles. There is a legend of how St. Patrick when preaching to some soon to be converted heathens was shown a sacred standing stone that was marked with a circle that was symbolic of the moon goddess. Patrick made the mark of a Latin cross through the circle and blessed the stone making the first Celtic Cross.


Broken Column

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A broken column indicates a life cut short, a memorial to the death of someone who died young or in the prime of life, before reaching old age.

Some columns you encounter in the cemetery may be broken due to damage or vandalism, but many columns are intentionally carved in the broken form.


Doves

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An important symbolic animal in Christianity representing the Holy Spirit. The white dove is referred to in the story of baptism of Christ. "And John bore record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him" (Bible, John 1:32). The descending dove is a very common motif on grave memorials. Seven doves are representative of the seven spirits of God or the Holy Spirit in its sevenfold gifts of grace. Purity, devotion, Divine Spirit.

Kazimiera
09-20-2016, 07:49 PM
Draped Urn

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After the cross, the urn is one of the most commonly used cemetery monuments. The design represents a funeral urn, and is thought to symbolize immortality.

Cremation was an early form of preparing the dead for burial. In some periods, especially classical times, it was more common than burial. The shape of the container in which the ashes were placed may have taken the form of a simple box or a marble vase, but no matter what it looked like it was called an "urn," derived from the Latin uro, meaning "to burn."

As burial became a more common-practice, the urn continued to be closely associated with death.

The urn is commonly believed to testify to the death of the body and the dust into which the dead body will change, while the spirit of the departed eternally rests with God.

The cloth draping the urn symbolically guarded the ashes. The shroud-draped urn is believed by some to mean that the soul has departed the shrouded body for its trip to heaven. Others say that the drape signifies the last partition between life and death.


Hands

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The use of hands in some form is very common on grave memorials. Symbol of leaving.

Hands, clasped - At first glance, these hands all seem to be in the same fashion but a number of interesting characteristics stand out. First, most of the hands illustrate the right hand in a grasp with fingers overlapping the other hand while the left hand is open. This could be the depiction of a man holding a woman's hand and indicate marriage or a close bond between individuals, unity and affection even after death. Clasped hands are also symbolic of a farewell or last good-bye. Look at the cuff to distinguish between a man's or woman's hand (woman would have a frilly cuff.) The person who died first holds the other's hand, guiding the spouse to heaven.

Hand of God plucking a link of a chain - represents God bringing a soul unto himself.

Hands holding -

- A chain with a broken link - Symbolizes the death of a family member.
- A heart - Symbolic of charity and is common on 19th century memorials. It is typically seen on memorials of members of the Independent Order of Odd fellows. Charity.
- An open book - The embodiment of Faith.

Hand pointing -
- Downward - Mortality or sudden death. (Possibly a depiction of a secret Masonic handshake.)
- Upward - The reward of the righteous, confirmation of life after death. Heavenly reward, ascension to heaven.
- Hands praying - Connote devotion.
- Two hands touching at thumbs - The hands are making the "Live long and prosper" gesture that Mr. Spock used on Star Trek (Leonard Nimoy is Jewish, and that's where he got it). The Cohen was the priestly caste. They perform a few specific functions in Orthodox Judaism, and have a few unique restrictions: they are not supposed to remarry or touch a dead body, for example. People who are Cohen often have Cohen as their last name. This is the hand gesture made by Cohen at the end of services in Orthodox synagogues, it's a benediction, and had come to universally represent Cohens.


Horseshoe

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The horseshoe can symbolize protection from evil, but may also symbolize an individual whose profession or passion involved horses.


Ivy and vines

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Ivy carved into a tombstone is said to represent friendship, fidelity and immortality.

The hardy, evergreen leaf of the ivy denotes immortality and rebirth or regeneration. Just try and dig out the ivy in your garden to see how tough it is!


Laurel wreath

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The use of garlands, wreaths and festoons dates back to ancient Greek times and it was adopted into the Christian religion as a symbol of the victory of the redemption.

The laurel wreath is usually associated with someone who has attained distinction in the arts, literature, athletics or the military. The ivy wreath is symbolic of conviviality (gaiety or joviality). The wreath and festoon together symbolize memory.

Ancient symbol of victory. Memory, passed to eternal life.


Lion

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Symbolizes the power of God and guards the tomb against evil spirits. Like other guardians, the lion's watch is as eternal as the stone of which it is depicted. The lion also recalls the courage and determination of the souls which they guard; they manifest the spirit of the departed. Resurrection.


Oak Leaves and Acorns

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Oak - Hospitality, stability, strength, honor, eternity, endurance, liberty. It is believed to have been the tree from which Jesus Christ's cross was made. In smaller pioneer cemeteries, it is common to place children's graves near oak trees. The oak tree was the tree of life in pre-Christian times. The Druids worshipped the oak. The oak, oak leaves and acorn can stand for power, authority or victory. Often seen on military tombs.

Acorn - As the seed of the oak, the acorn is a symbol of potential. In Norse and Celtic culture, acorns symbolized life, fertility and immortality. Druids ate acorns, believing them to have prophetic qualities, and acorns were sacred to the god Thor whose Tree of Life was the oak. "Acorns and oak leaves form one of the circular 'hex' signs used by the Amish and Mennonite communities of southern Pennsylvania, the various signs believed to bestow favors such as protection or natural abundance".


Olive Branch

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The olive branch, often depicted in the mouth of a dove, symbolizes peace - that the soul has departed in the peace of God.

The association of the olive branch with wisdom and peace originates in Greek mythology where the goddess Athena gave an olive tree to the city that was to become Athens. Greek ambassadors carried on the tradition, offering an olive branch of peace to indicate their good intentions. An olive leaf also makes an appearance in the story of Noah.

The olive tree is also known to represent longevity, fertility, maturity, fruitfulness and prosperity.


Sleeping Child

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A sleeping child was often used to signify death during the Victorian era. As expected, it generally decorates the grave of a baby or young child.

Figures of sleeping babies or children often appear with very few clothes, symbolizing that young innocent children had nothing to cover up or hide.

Kazimiera
09-20-2016, 07:49 PM
Sphynx

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One of many neo-Egyptian designs (along with obelisks and pyramids) which have crept into modern cemeteries. Two kinds of sphinxes appear: the male Egyptian sphinx modeled after the Great Sphinx at Giza and the female (and often bare breasted) Greek Sphinx. Both feature the head and torso of a human creature grafted to the body of a lion. Like foo dogs, sphinxes guard the tomb.


Square and Compass

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The most common of the Masonic symbols is the compass and square standing for faith and reason.
The square in the Masonic square and compass is a builder's square, used by carpenters and stonemasons to measure perfect right angles. In Masonry, this is a symbol of the ability to use the teachings of conscience and morality to measure and verify the rightness of one's actions.

The compass is used by builders to draw circles and lay off measurements along a line. It is used by the Masons as a symbol of self-control, the intention to draw a proper boundary around personal desires and to remain within that boundary line.

The letter G usually found in the center of the square and compass is said to represent "geometry" or "God."


Inverted Torch

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The inverted torch is a true cemetery symbol, symbolizing life in the next realm or a life extinguished.

A lit torch represents life, immortality and the everlasting life. Conversely, an inverted torch represents death, or the passing of the soul into the next life. Generally the inverted torch will still bear a flame, but even without the flame it still represents a life extinguished.


Tree Trunk Tombstone

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A tombstone in the shape of a tree trunk is symbolic of the brevity of life.

The number of broken branches appearing on the tree trunk may indicate deceased family members buried at that site, as in this interesting example from Allegeny Cemetery in Pittsburgh.


Wheel

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In its generic form, as pictured here, the wheel represents the cycle of life, enlightenment and divine power. A wheel might also represent a wheelright.

Specific types of wheel symbols that might be found in the cemetery include the eight-spoked Buddhist wheel of righteousness, and the circular eight-spoked wheel of the Church of World Messianity, with alternating fat and thin spokes.

Or, as with all cemetery symbols, it could just be a pretty decoration.


Winged Skull

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Popular in the 17th and 18th centuries, the flying skull represents the fleetingness of life and the soul soaring into the afterlife.


Flying Hourglass

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Similar to the winged skull, the hourglass indicates the swiftness of time's passage - sometimes literally flying with wings.


Snapped Rose

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Love, beauty, hope, unfailing love, associated with the Virgin Mary, the "rose without thorns." A red rose symbolizes martyrdom and a white rose symbolizes purity and virginity.

Whether the rose is a bud, flower or somewhere in between indicates how old the person was at the time of death.

Rose bud - Normally a child 12 or under.

Rose, partial bloom - Normally a teenager.

Rose, full bloom - Normally in early/mid twenties. The deceased died in the prime of life.

Kazimiera
09-20-2016, 07:50 PM
Wheat

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Wheat, along with other symbols, symbolises a long life, one that was harvested by the reaper when it was time.


Lamb

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Usually found on the tombs of children, the lamb symbolises innocence and can also reference Jesus - Son of God.


Open Gates

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Doors and open gates are symbols for the passage into heaven, the leaving of the land of the living for the great beyond.

Mikula
09-20-2016, 08:12 PM
In Czech Republic, as well as in the neighbour countries are used a star (*) as a symbol of birth and birth date
and cross (+) as a symbol for death and death date.
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