Symbolism

SYMBOL

MEANING

Agnus Dei Represents the Lamb of God.

Alpha and Omega First and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Symbolizes the beginning and the end.

American Legion Found on graves of people who were American Legion members, an organization for veterans.

Anchor Hope or eternal life. Often on sailors' graves. Anchors are also a Masonic symbol for well-grounded hope, therefore they are often found on Masons' graves.

Angel A guide to heaven.

Saint Matthew, one of the four evangelists, was often represented as a winged man.

Apple Apples represent salvation, sometimes sin.

Arch The passage to heaven.

Arrow Arrows symbolize mortality and martyrdom.

Artillery Artillery, such as cannons, on a gravestone usually represents military service.

Bell Often symbolizes a church bell, and therefore religion.

Bible or Book Often used on the gravestones of ministers or clergymen. However, it is sometimes found on gravestones of very devoted religious people also. Books may also represent a person's good deeds and accomplishments being recorded in the book of life.

Bird Peace, messenger of God. The most common birds found on gravestones are doves.

Bones Death, decay.

Boat A voyage; crossing over to the other side.

Broken Bud or Branch Someone who died an untimely or premature death. Usually seen on a younger person's gravestone.

Broken Chain Link Symbolizes a loss in the family.

BRT with a Train Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. A fraternal organization for men who worked as trainmen.

Butterfly Symbolizes resurrection, and also the soul leaving the body/flesh.

Calla Lily Flower that represents beauty.

Circle Eternal life - no beginning, no end.

Clasped Hands Farewell to earthly existence. Also unity. Deborah, a website visitor, told me that in the Native American culture clasped hands represent a Delaware grave.

Clock Mortality, death; the passage of time.

Cohanim Hands Hands with thumbs (and sometimes forefingers) joined. This is a Jewish symbol that represents members of the priestly tribe of Aaron.

Column Mortality. A draped or broken column represents the break in earthly to heavenly life. The draped arch also symbolizes mourning.

Corn Rebirth, fertility.

Crooks Shepherds crooks, usually found on graves of Independent Order of Odd Fellows members (a fraternal organization). Symbolizes the opening of earth to the heavens.

Cross A cross represents Christianity.

Crown Victory or triumph over death.

Crown and Cross Symbolizes both victory and Christianity. Also, this symbol sometimes denotes a member of the York Rite Masons.

Daisy Symbolizes innocence; usually found on graves of young children.

Dog Loyalty, fidelity, watchfulness, and vigilance.

Drapery Mourning.

Eagle Eagles are often seen on gravestones of Civil War veterans.

Saint John, one of the four evangelists, was often represented as an eagle.

Eagle, Double-headed A Masonic symbol, symbolizing a 32nd degree Mason.

Eagle with FFC Symbol of the Improved Order of Red Men, a patriotic society. Their motto is Freedom, Friendship, and Charity.

Easter Lily Purity, Chastity.

Eucharist The body and blood of Christ. Usually found on graves of priests and nuns.

Eye Usually found in a triangle or within a sunburst. This is a masonic symbol.

Fallen Tree Mortality, Death.

Father Time and the Weeping Virgin Masonic carving. The carving consists of a weeping virgin holding a sprig of acacia in one hand, and an urn in the other hand. A broken column is in front of her. Father Time is behind her, attempting to untangle the ringlets of her hair. It symbolizes that time, patience, and perseverance will accomplish all things.

FCB with Shield and Suit of Armor Symbol of the Knights of Pythias, a fraternal organization. FCB stands for Friendship, Charity, and Benevolence.

Fern Humility and sincerity.

Flag Usually found on veterans' graves.

Flame or Torch Eternity. An upside down torch represents the end of life.

FLT in Chain Links A symbol of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a fraternal organization. Stands for Friendship, Love, and Truth.

GAR Grand Army of the Republic. A fraternal organization for men who fought and were honorably discharged from the Union Army during the Civil War.

Garland Victory in death.

Gate Passage from earth to heaven.

Grapes Blood of Christ.

Greek Catholic Cross Also Russian Orthodox and Greek Orthodox. They have three bars that symbolize the cross Christ was crucified on:

Top Bar - Title Board
Middle Bar - Board on which the Lord's hands were nailed
Bottom Bar - The footrest

For more information, please click here (offsite link, will open in new window).

Hand Holding Heart The hand holding a heart is a symbol used by the I.O.O.F (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) and Masons, both fraternal organizations. It symbolizes charity.

Hand Pointing Up Hand pointing up to heaven.

Hand Pointing Down The hand of God descending from heaven.

Hand writing Writing names in the book of life. Can also be found on writers' graves.

Hands Praying Pious devotion.

Heart Person's spirit or soul. Sometimes the sacred heart of Christ.

Hebrew Words Hebrew words for "Here Lies."

Horse Death. White horses represent good, while black horses represent evil.

Hourglass Passage of time.

Hummingbird Often found on infants' gravestones. Usually just decorative.

IHS Sometimes looks like a dollar sign. IHS stands for the first three letters of Jesus' name in the Greek alphabet.

Ivy Friendship.

Keystone with letters HTWSSTKS The Masonic Keystone, which is the Masonic mark of an Ancient Grand Master. HTWSSTKS stands for "Hiram The Widow's Son Sent To King Solomon."

KOTM Symbol of the Knights of the Maccabees, a fraternal organization.

Lamb Lambs are often seen on children's gravestones. A lamb represents innocence.

Lamp Wisdom, faithfulness.

Laurel Laurel represents the "evergreen" memory of the deceased.

Lily of the Valley Purity, innocence, virginity.

Lion Strength.

Lyre Often have a broken string, symbolizing the end of life. Lyres are usually found on the graves of musicians.

Man with Hourglass and Sickle Father Time. An old man with a beard, holding a hourglass and/or sickle.

Menorah A menorah, which is a candelabra with seven branches, is a Jewish symbol. It usually marks the grave of a righteous woman.

Moon Rebirth. A crescent moon and star symbol like the one pictured here is also a symbol of Islam.

Moon with Seven Stars, the letter "R", and a dove Symbolizes a member of the Daughters of Rebekah, the female auxiliary of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Morning Glory Symbolizes the Resurrection; also beauty, youth, and love.

Music Usually found on the graves of musicians. The music can be from a song the musician wrote, or it could be the deceased person's favorite hymn.

Oak Leaf Longevity (long life). Deborah, a website visitor, told me that in the Native American culture an oak leaf represents an Algonquian grave.

OES, 5-Pointed Star Order of the Eastern Star, a fraternal organization for women.

Owl Wisdom, watchfulness.

Ox Patience, strength.

Palm Tree or Frond Victory over death.

Passion Flower Symbolizes Christ's passion.

Pitcher Often found on graves of prohibitionists. Represents virtue and control.

If it is found on a Jewish grave, it symbolizes a Levite, a person who was responsible for cleaning the hands of the Temple Priest.

PLEF, sometimes with crown and shield Symbol of the Pythian Sisters, a fraternal organization for women. The letters PLEF stand for their motto: Purity, Love, Equality, and Fidelity.

Portrait Usually a portrait of the deceased.

Rabbit Humility, gentleness, self-sacrifice.

Rifle Usually found on the graves of military members and hunters.

Rose Symbolizes beauty.

Scroll Symbolizes the scriptures.

Seal of Ohio Ohio's state seal.

Shell Baptism or rebirth.

Shih Tzu of Fo Guardians of Buddah.

Ship Ships are usually found on the graves of sailors. Many times they are found on graves of people who died at sea. They sometimes symbolize Noah's Ark, the ship that weathered the storm against all overwhelming odds.

Sickle Reaping of life.

Skull Death and mortality. A winged skull symbolizes the ascension into heaven.

Skull and Crossbones Mortality, Death.

Sleeping Child A sleeping child is a Victorian symbol for death.

Snake Mortality, death. A snake on a cross represents a person who was in the medical profession.

Soldier on Horse A soldier's grave. If the horse has both front legs in the air, the person probably died in battle. If only one leg is raised, the person probably died as a result of wounds. And if the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person probably died of natural causes.

Sphinx Guardian; represents strength and protection.

Square and Compass Usually have the letter "G" in the middle. Found on gravestones belonging to members of the Freemasons (Masons).

Star A five-pointed star represents the Star of Bethlehem.
A six-pointed star represents creation.

Star of David Divine Protection.

Sun A sun symbolizes the soul rising to heaven.

Sunflower Devotion to God.

Sword Swords represent martyrdom. Crossed swords are often seen on the gravestones of veterans, especially officers.

Tablets Usually two tablets joined. This symbolizes the Ten Commandments.

Thistle Thistles represent earthly sorrow. Also, the thorns on a thistle symbolize the crown of thorns and the Passion of Christ.

Tree Trunk/Stump Usually marks the graves of Woodmen of the World members. Also, they usually contain other symbols such as anchors, lilies, vines, etc. Broken braches on the tree symbolize a life cut short.

Triangle with three T's joined at base Symbol of the Royal Arch Masons (RAM). Click here for more information about this fraternal organization.

Urn The soul.

Vacant Chair Usually symbolizes the death of a child.

Weeping Woman Mourning, sorrow.

Wheat A sheaf of wheat represents harvest, usually found on older peoples' gravestones.

Willow Tree Sadness or mourning. Deborah, a website visitor, told me that in the Native American culture a willow tree represents an Iroquois grave.

Winged Lion Represents Saint Mark, one of the four evangelists.

Winged Ox Represents Saint Luke, one of the four evangelists.

Woman Holding Anchor Represents hope.

Woman Holding Cross Represents faith.

Woodmen of the World Seen on the gravestones of Woodmen of the World members, a fraternal organization.

Wreath Victory in death.

XP, overlapped The Chi-Rho, one of the oldest Christian symbols. XP are the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ.


				*Symbolism*



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