MEANINGS OF CARVINGS ON TOMBSTONES

Arches =

Victory in Death

Arrows =

Mortality

Bouquets/flowers

condolences, grief, sorrow

Roses =

Brevity of earthly existence

Portals=

Passageway to eternal journey

Bugles=

Resurrection and the military

Crossed Swords

High-ranking military person

Flying Birds=

Flight of the soul

Fruits =

Eternal plenty

Garlands=

Victory in death

Imps=

Mortality

Shells=

Pilgrimage of life

Thistles=

Remembrance

Tombs=

Mortality

Trees=

Life

Trumpeters=

Heralds of the resurrection

Willows=

Earthly sorrow

Morning Glory

Beginning of life

Butterfly=

Short-lived; early death

Full-Bloom Rose

Prime of life

Palm Branch

Signifies victory and rejoicing

Ivy=

Friendship and immortality

Laurel=

Fame or victory

Oak Leaves & Acorn

Maturity, ripe old age

Weeping Willow

Emblem of sorrow

Corn=

Ripe old age

Sheaf of Wheat

Ripe for harvest, divine harvest time

Poppy=

Sleep

Lamb=

Innocence

Dove=

Innocence, gentleness, affection, purity

Cherub=

Angelic

Cross=

Emblem of faith

Anchor/Ships

Hope or seafaring profession

Broken Ring

Family circle severed

Broken Column

Loss of head of family

Torch Inverted

Life extinct

Urn with Blaze

Undying friendship

Harp=

Praise to the Maker

Handshakes

Farewell

Hearts=

Soul in bliss or love of Christ

Horns=

The Resurrection

Hourglass

Swiftness of time

Open Book/ Bible

Deceased teacher, minister, etc.

Lily or Lily of Valley

Emblem of innocence and purity

Tree Stump w/Ivy

Head of family; immortality

Urn with /wreath or crepe

mourning

Stars & Stripes Around Eagle

Eternal vigilance, liberty

Hourglass w/Wings of Time

Time flying; short life

Candle being Snuffed

Time, mortality

Coffin, Father Time, picks/shovels, darts

mortality

Hand of God Chopping

Sudden death

Winged Effigies

Flight of the soul





Transcribed by © Donald Aikman

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