Tombstone Meanings
Old Tombstone Carvings:

The term "Relict" on a tombstone means that the woman was a widow

at time of death, consort means that her husband survived her.

"Cenotaph" engraved on a tombstone indicates an empty grave,

with the stone erected in honor or memory of a person buried

elsewhere - often erected in honor of a person lost at sea.

Meanings of Carvings:

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, Acorn--- Maturity, Ripe Old Age

Weeping Willow--- Emblem of Sorrow

Corn--- Ripe Old Age

Sheaf of Wheat--- Ripe for Harvest, Divine Harvest,

TimePoppy--- 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 & 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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