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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