Tombstone Carvings, Meanings Of

Meanings of Carvings Found on Tombstones:

Arches -- Victory in Death

Arrows -- Mortality

Bouquets/Flowers -- Condolences, grief, sorrow

Buds/Rosebud -- Morning of Life or Renewal of Life

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-Blown Rose -- Prime of Life

Palm Branch -- Signifies Victory and Rejoicing

Ivy -- Friendship and Immortality

Laurel ---Fame or Victory

Oak Leaves and 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 and 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


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