Some of the
more common and traditional symbols and their meanings are listed below. You
and your students will likely find other types of symbols denoting occupations
and affiliations (Masons and Eastern Star) for example, or the in-life interests
of the deceased.
bees -
resurrection; risen Christ
birds - souls; flight of the soul back to
God
descending dove - Holy Ghost
dove - peace; innocence; purity
fish -
Christ
lamb - Christ the Redeemer; sacrifice; innocence
Figures
angel - messenger
between God and man; guardian angel
hands - devotion; prayer
Objects
anchor -
hope; life eternal; may signify seafaring profession
anvil -
martyrdom
arch - triumph over death; victory
Bible - resurrection through
the scripture; wisdom
branch - severed mortality
Celtic Cross - circle on
it symbolizes eternity
cross - salvation
drapery over anything - sorrow;
mourning
crossed keys - St. Peter
portraits' photographs of the
deceased
rock - steadfastness of Christ; stability
shell - pilgrimage;
baptism of Christ; resurrection
skull - death; sin; with crossbones -
mortality
setting sun - death
rising sun - resurrection; life
Trees and
Plants
bouquets -
condolences; grief
buds - renewal of life
cedar - strong faith
flower -
brevity of earthly existence; sorrow; broken, premature death
ivy - abiding
memory; friendship
laurel - victory; triumph; glory
lilies - resurrection;
purity
oak - supernatural power and strength; eternity
pineapple -
hospitality
roses - condolence; sorrow; the brevity of earthly
existence
sheaves of wheat - time; the divine harvest
tree - faith;
life; the Tree of Life
tree trunk - premature death
willow - weeping;
grief; earthly sorrow
wreath - victory in death; eternity
This
information was supplied in part from the
Association for Gravestones Studies
