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Mar 29, 2024 · The world of headstone symbols and meanings unveils deep sentiments and a rich tapestry of personal narratives. Far beyond mere adornments, these symbols carve a lasting legacy, each stroke conveying the essence of strength, love, and enduring hope.
Sep 12, 2024 · Headstones are just as much for the people who have passed as they are for those who are still alive. Whether you're etching their spirit, passion, or your everlasting love for them onto their tombstone, you don't want to make a mistake. Learn all about the possible headstone symbols you can include on their marker to see which fits them best.
When choosing headstones or grave markers, we often pick design elements with little knowledge about the symbolism behind it. This glossary of cemetery symbolism will help you to understand the meaning of the many design elements.
- Anchor
- Book
- Bear
- Bird
- Butterfly
- Celtic Cross
- Circle
- Clasped Hands
- Crests and Shields
- Daffodil
The anchor is a symbol of hope and steadfastness, and eternal life. It is often found on sailors' headstones. Masons used it as a symbol of well-grounded hope. Early Christians used it as a disguised symbol of the cross.
An open book usually symbolises the Bible and faith. Books may also represent knowledge or the Book of Life.
This is a carving of the "Berlin Bear" from the Coat of Arms of Berlin. The reason the city chose a bear is possibly after Albrecht I, nicknamed "the bear", who is considered to have been the conqueror and founder of the Margraviate of Brandenburg.
Birds are often a symbol of peace. When in flight they also may represent the winged soul, a tradition that goes back to Egyptian times. Sometimes the wings alone are chosen.
A butterfly symbol may represent rebirth, resurrection, or the natural cycle between birth and death. It may represent the soul and may be found on children's headstones.
A simple Celtic cross is a symbol that combines a cross with a ring surrounding the intersection. This symbol has been a popular choice on gravestones since its revival in the 1850's.
The circle is an ancient symbol of eternity, often found on Christian graves together with a cross. The circle has no beginning or end and may also symbolise resurrection. In the first image above the circle on the gravestone has been formed by a void, a hole carved into the stone with edges that are perfectly smooth to the touch. This invites you ...
This is one of the most common headstone symbols. Often the hands are those of a man and woman and may represent a parting or farewell as well as unity in life and death. They may also represent a partnership or a bond between husband and wife for example. This photo was taken from an old gravestone as I have never been asked to carve this symbol.
Sometimes a full coat of arms would be too large for a headstone, and a good alternative is to choose a part of the coat of arms such as the shield or crest. Above are three examples of crests carved into headstones in sunken relief, as well as a crest depicting bat wings, also carved in sunken relief.
The daffodil may signify rebirth and new life. It is also a symbol of love and hope. This daffodil was carved in sunken relief in Portland limestone.
- Kimberly Powell
- Alpha and Omega. 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.
- American Flag. The American flag, a symbol of courage and pride, is generally found marking the grave of a military veteran in American cemeteries.
- Anchor. The anchor was regarded in ancient times as a symbol of safety and was adopted by Christians as a symbol of hope and steadfastness. The anchor also represents the anchoring influence of Christ.
- Angel. 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.
What is the meaning of the designs carved on old gravestones? This question is often asked by both the interested layman and the serious student of gravestone art. A great deal of casual speculation and considerable scholarly research have been devoted to finding answers.
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From simple etched field stones to elaborate mausoleums, the final resting place of the deceased is meant as a remembrance of the individual. The last few centuries have seen a boom in headstone artistry. By recognizing the type of carvings, you can estimate when the headstone was carved or erected, in cases where dates are missing.
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