Memorial Day weekend is coming up. There are several historic cemeteries that I'll be visiting as I do the annual decorating of the graves. I hope the weather will be good so I can linger and look at some of the tombstones.

Tombstone art symbolizes hope and sadness and innocence and faith in an afterlife. Norma Eid, a long-time genealogy friend who collects interesting photos of Northwest tombstones, compiled a list of the most often found designs, and their meanings.

 

Anchor - hope for resurrection and eternal life

Angel - a spiritual being endowed with immortality. A guardian or messenger.

Arrow with heart - conjunction of heaven and earth to produce supreme peace and eternal rest

Bible, open - represents the "book of life"

Bible, closed - indicates the end of earthly life

Chain - often in the form of a circle with one link broken, indicates the continuity of the family has been broken

Cherub - often used for young persons and symbolizes innocence

Clover - represents the Trinity Columns - because of the vertical nature, it implies ascension

Cornucopia - joys are awaiting in heaven

Cross - a symbol of agony, struggle, existence

Crown - pre-eminence and spiritual enlightenment

Dove - a symbol of innocence and peace

Drape or veil - the closing off of earthly life

Flowers - reward of heaven

Gates of heaven - when open, they represent Christian salvation

Globe or sphere - the soul who is waiting for resurrection

Hands, clasped - a farewell to those left behind

Hands, pointing - the hand of God offers salvation

Harp - a bridge between heaven and earth Heart - signifies the center or soul of man

Ivy - a symbol of immortality, try removing ivy from a garden to find out how hardy it is

Lamb - innocence

Laurel wreath - a victory over the negative and dissipative influence of base forces

Lily - common garden flower of antiquity suggesting purity

Rope - a representation of ascension and eternity

Rose - a reminder that the soul achieves its most perfect state after death, a symbol of the blood of Christ

Sheaf of wheat - used for the elderly

Sun, rising - the resurrection of the soul

Sun, setting - used for the elderly

Tree, willow - a symbol of mourning

Trumpet - a symbol of spiritual call

Urn - the soul waits here for resurrection

There is a new trend in stone carving to illustrate the things that the deceased held dear. They are a graphic story of their life. Reading the new stones and the old stones makes for a fascinating day.

© 2001

Connie Lenzen, CG