Gravestone symbols

Willows, urns, hands and lambs: what the carvings on old stones meant. Free to print and share. Full explanations: dailyancestor.com/dictionary/gravestone-symbols

All-seeing eye

God's watchful eye

Alpha and Omega

The beginning and the end (God)

American Legion emblem

Veteran in the American Legion

Anchor

Hope; the soul held fast

Angel

God's messenger and guardian of the dead

AOUW shield

Ancient Order of United Workmen member

Beehive

Faith and diligent work; Rebekah emblem

Bible

Faith in the Word of God

Bird in flight

The soul flying to God

Broken chain

A death that broke the family circle

Broken column

Life cut short, often a family's head

Broken rosebud

A child's life cut off early

Butterfly

The soul and the resurrection

Calla lily

Marriage, resurrection and majestic beauty

Celtic cross

Cross with a ring: eternity, Irish or Scots roots

Cherub

Child angel: innocence, often a child's grave

Chi-rho

Monogram for Christ (Greek X and P)

Clasped hands

Farewell, or a lasting bond

Closed book

A life story that is finished

Coffin

The body's end in the grave

Cross

Christian faith

Cross and crown

Earthly suffering, then heavenly reward

Crossed bones

Plain reminder that everyone must die

Crown

Heavenly reward and glory after death

Daisy flower

A child's innocence

Death's head

Winged skull: death and the soul leaving the body

Dogwood

Hope of resurrection; the cross

Dove

Peace, purity, the Holy Spirit

Draped urn

Veil between the living and the dead

Drapery

Mourning, like the cloth hung in a house of death

Eastern Star emblem

Member of the Order of the Eastern Star

Elk's head (Elks)

Member of the Elks lodge (B.P.O.E.)

Empty chair

A loved one missing from the family

Fern

Sincerity and humility

Flame

Eternal life and undying memory

G.A.R. star marker

Union Civil War veteran (G.A.R. marker)

Grapes

Communion, or a ripe old age

Hand holding a chain

God's hand taking a soul from the family

Hand pointing down

God reaching down for the soul

Hand pointing up

The soul has gone to heaven

Hands of the Kohanim

A kohen, of the priestly line

Harp

Worship in heaven; sometimes Irish roots

Heart

Love, and the soul's dwelling place

Hourglass

Life's time running out

Inverted torch

Life extinguished; the soul passing on

Ivy

Friendship, fidelity and immortality

Knights of Pythias emblem

Knights of Pythias: Friendship, Charity, Benevolence

Lamb

Innocence, usually on a child's grave

Laurel

Distinction, achievement and victory

Levite pitcher

A Levite, who washed the priests' hands

Lily

Purity and innocence

Lily of the valley

Humility and the return of happiness

Lyre

Harmony, wisdom and heavenly peace

Memento mori

Remember that you must die

Menorah

Temple lampstand: Jewish faith

Moon and seven stars (Rebekahs)

Rebekah lodge member (Odd Fellows women)

Morning glory

Life as brief as a day's bloom

Oak leaves and acorns

Strength and steadfast faith

Obelisk

Egyptian shaft: permanence, pointing heavenward

Open book

Book of Life with the person's record

Open gates

Entry into heaven

Palm frond

The soul's victory and salvation

Pick and spade

Gravedigger's tools: burial awaits all

Pointed-top headstone

Government stone for a Confederate soldier

Poppy

Eternal sleep and rest

Portrait stone

Carved bust standing for the dead person

Praying hands

Devotion to God

Rising sun

Renewed life after death

Rose

Love and beauty of the soul

S.A.R. marker

Soldier or patriot of the American Revolution

Scallop shell

Life's pilgrimage and resurrection

Scythe

Death the reaper; the last harvest

Shabbat candlesticks

A Jewish woman who lit the Sabbath candles

Sheaf of wheat

A long, full life, ripe for harvest

Shield headstone

Government stone for a Union or earlier-war veteran

Shoes

Death of a very young child

Shroud

Separation of the living from the dead

Sickle

God's harvest of a ripe old life

Skeleton

Death personified

Sleeping child

A dead child at peaceful rest

Snuffed candle

A life's flame snuffed out

Soul effigy

Winged face: the soul flying to heaven

Square and compasses

Freemason (Masonic lodge member)

Star

Divine guidance and hope

Star of David

Jewish faith

Thistle

Scottish roots, or earthly sorrow

Three links (Odd Fellows)

Odd Fellows: Friendship, Love and Truth

Tree stump

A life cut off, in rustic style

Triangle

The Holy Trinity

Trumpeting angel

Call to the Resurrection

Urn

Classical vessel for the remains (mourning)

Urn and willow

Sorrow for the dead in classical style

War of 1812 marker

Veteran of the War of 1812

Weeping angel

Deep grief over an early death

Weeping willow

Grief and mourning

Winged hourglass

Time flies

Woodmen of the World tree stump

Woodmen of the World member

Wreath

Victory over death; remembrance