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Gravestone symbols

Willows, urns, hands and lambs: what the carvings on old stones meant.

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A
AAll-seeing eyeGod's watchful eyeAAlpha and OmegaThe beginning and the end (God)AAmerican Legion emblemVeteran in the American LegionAAnchorHope; the soul held fastAAngelGod's messenger and guardian of the deadAAOUW shieldAncient Order of United Workmen member
B
BBeehiveFaith and diligent work; Rebekah emblemBBibleFaith in the Word of GodBBird in flightThe soul flying to GodBBroken chainA death that broke the family circleBBroken columnLife cut short, often a family's headBBroken rosebudA child's life cut off earlyBButterflyThe soul and the resurrection
C
CCalla lilyMarriage, resurrection and majestic beautyCCeltic crossCross with a ring: eternity, Irish or Scots rootsCCherubChild angel: innocence, often a child's graveCChi-rhoMonogram for Christ (Greek X and P)CClasped handsFarewell, or a lasting bondCClosed bookA life story that is finishedCCoffinThe body's end in the graveCCrossChristian faithCCross and crownEarthly suffering, then heavenly rewardCCrossed bonesPlain reminder that everyone must dieCCrownHeavenly reward and glory after death
D
DDaisy flowerA child's innocenceDDeath's headWinged skull: death and the soul leaving the bodyDDogwoodHope of resurrection; the crossDDovePeace, purity, the Holy SpiritDDraped urnVeil between the living and the deadDDraperyMourning, like the cloth hung in a house of death
E
EEastern Star emblemMember of the Order of the Eastern StarEElk's head (Elks)Member of the Elks lodge (B.P.O.E.)EEmpty chairA loved one missing from the family
F
FFernSincerity and humilityFFlameEternal life and undying memory
G
GG.A.R. star markerUnion Civil War veteran (G.A.R. marker)GGrapesCommunion, or a ripe old age
H
HHand holding a chainGod's hand taking a soul from the familyHHand pointing downGod reaching down for the soulHHand pointing upThe soul has gone to heavenHHands of the KohanimA kohen, of the priestly lineHHarpWorship in heaven; sometimes Irish rootsHHeartLove, and the soul's dwelling placeHHourglassLife's time running out
I
IInverted torchLife extinguished; the soul passing onIIvyFriendship, fidelity and immortality
K
KKnights of Pythias emblemKnights of Pythias: Friendship, Charity, Benevolence
L
LLambInnocence, usually on a child's graveLLaurelDistinction, achievement and victoryLLevite pitcherA Levite, who washed the priests' handsLLilyPurity and innocenceLLily of the valleyHumility and the return of happinessLLyreHarmony, wisdom and heavenly peace
M
MMemento moriRemember that you must dieMMenorahTemple lampstand: Jewish faithMMoon and seven stars (Rebekahs)Rebekah lodge member (Odd Fellows women)MMorning gloryLife as brief as a day's bloom
O
OOak leaves and acornsStrength and steadfast faithOObeliskEgyptian shaft: permanence, pointing heavenwardOOpen bookBook of Life with the person's recordOOpen gatesEntry into heaven
P
PPalm frondThe soul's victory and salvationPPick and spadeGravedigger's tools: burial awaits allPPointed-top headstoneGovernment stone for a Confederate soldierPPoppyEternal sleep and restPPortrait stoneCarved bust standing for the dead personPPraying handsDevotion to God
R
RRising sunRenewed life after deathRRoseLove and beauty of the soul
S
SS.A.R. markerSoldier or patriot of the American RevolutionSScallop shellLife's pilgrimage and resurrectionSScytheDeath the reaper; the last harvestSShabbat candlesticksA Jewish woman who lit the Sabbath candlesSSheaf of wheatA long, full life, ripe for harvestSShield headstoneGovernment stone for a Union or earlier-war veteranSShoesDeath of a very young childSShroudSeparation of the living from the deadSSickleGod's harvest of a ripe old lifeSSkeletonDeath personifiedSSleeping childA dead child at peaceful restSSnuffed candleA life's flame snuffed outSSoul effigyWinged face: the soul flying to heavenSSquare and compassesFreemason (Masonic lodge member)SStarDivine guidance and hopeSStar of DavidJewish faith
T
TThistleScottish roots, or earthly sorrowTThree links (Odd Fellows)Odd Fellows: Friendship, Love and TruthTTree stumpA life cut off, in rustic styleTTriangleThe Holy TrinityTTrumpeting angelCall to the Resurrection
U
UUrnClassical vessel for the remains (mourning)UUrn and willowSorrow for the dead in classical style
W
WWar of 1812 markerVeteran of the War of 1812WWeeping angelDeep grief over an early deathWWeeping willowGrief and mourningWWinged hourglassTime fliesWWoodmen of the World tree stumpWoodmen of the World memberWWreathVictory over death; remembrance
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