www.Leazott.com

Sponsor Links

Go to content

Main menu

Tombstone Grave Marker Etching & Carving Symbols Meanings

Genealogy > Research > Cemetery Lists

Tombstone symbols are found in many cemeterys, though less frequent than you might think.
Some are used for the wrong reasons or in extreme cases, sometimes for no reason at all.

Many times a headstone is chosen by a grieving family or widow soon after the death of a loved one.
Possibly chosen at random off the lot of a nearby monument maker.

The result is often a stone etched with a picturesque carving such as flowers or religious symbols.
This is not to say that these things aren't important, or do not convey a how a person was loved.
But they usually show how the survivor felt, rather than how the deceased lived his life.

It's difficult to accurately measure how strongly a person felt about the symbols on their grave.
They are for the most part, usually chosen by the survivors of the deceased.

This may be reason enough to go shopping before one is needed!
The outing needn't be a morbid or sad endeavor for anyone involved.
Use it as a learning expierience in to further discuss your wishes with those around you is a fine start!
Plan a lunch or dinner afterward so the oportunity is still open for you to discuss the matters privately.

Whether a symbol is small or large is related to many factors, such as cost, prestiege, grief, and more.
Some may feel the need to spend a lot marking a grave, or want a large display for particular reasons.
Others may wish a very small and private marker with minimal info on it.
People grieve in different many ways.

In any case, this page can offer some insight into various symbols used to convey larger meanings.
Take for instance, a pair of hands clasped or shaking.
It is thought to mean an earthly parting of two with the hope of meeting again in the afterlife.
Though some may wish to express it with words, it's a way to symbolize the message more concisely.
Others may opt to use initials or abreviations in lieu of symbols when possible.

It's important to note that some symbols are very precise in design while others are generalized.
For instance, animals may symbolize strength, peace, etc. but be carved differently on headstones.
The exception being if it is part of a fellowships known design.

This page is not designed to help anyone decide between message styles.
It is to help the reader understand the meanings of some of the symbols seen during cemetery visits.
They may have other meanings as well. For those of particular importance, further research is needed.

Many signs may have a seperate personal meanings between the deceased and loved one.
They may be totally oblivious to the customary meanings.

Take The Survey!!

Let's Hear
From You

Newsletter

Family Tree

More Free

Photo-File

Donate

L-Games

eMail Boxes

Demo Links

All Items



General Picture	Symbol/Name	Taken As Meaning


Apples	Apples	Represent salvation. Also symbolic of sin.
Century Plant	Century Plant	Symbol of immortality and everlasting life.
Calla Lily	Flower	Symbolizes beauty.
Daisy	Flower	Symbolizes innocence, especially the young.
Easter Lily	Flower	Symbolize purity and chastity.
Rose	Flower	Symbol for beauty and deepest love.
Oak Leaf	Leaves	Symbol of a long life.
Wheat Sheaves	Wheat Sheaves	Symbol denoting abundance in life.
Broken Bud or Branch	Broken Bud or Branch	Someone who died an untimely or premature death. Usually on a younger person's gravestone having died before blossoming.


Butterfly	Butterfly	Symbolizes the resurrection.
	Dog	Represents loyalty, watchfulness and vigilance.
	Hummingbird	Represents a child
	Lamb	Represents a child
Lamb with Flag	Agnus Dei	The Lamb Of God
	Lion	The lion symbolizes strength, self-control, nobility, fairness, courage and patience.
	Owl	Wisdom
	Ox	Also a symbol of patience and strength. In early Christian writings the ox is a symbol of Christ. It is seen on gravestones represented as a religious meaning.
	Rabbit	The rabbit symbol is strongly tied to the cycle of life, fertility, death, and resurrection.


	Alpha and Omega	The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Religious symbols of the beginning and the end.
Anchor	Anchor	Symbol of hope for an eternal life. Also found on sailers tombstones as well.
Angel Weeping	Angel-Grief	Symbolizes much grief of an untimely death
Angel Flying	Angel-Rebirth	An angel with open wings represents the flight of a soul to heaven.
Angel with Sword	Angel-Sword	An angel with a sword depicts the Archangel Michael. The sword is double edged, representing both truth and justice.
Angel with Trumpet	Angel-Trumpet	An angel with one (or two) trumpets is symbolic of the day of judgement. An angel with a horn is symbolic of the Archangel Gabriel.
Angel carrying a departed soul	Angel-With Souls	Carrying the souls of the deceased to heaven


Cross with Loop At Top	Ankh	The Egyption symbol for eternal life.
Anvil	Anvil	Symbolizes creation of the universe. Found on blacksmiths tombstones.
Arch	Arch	The passage or way to heaven.
Arrow with Hand	Arrow	Symbolizes the individuals mortality and martyrdom.
Beehive	Beehive	Symbolizing human industry, faith, education and domestic virtues. Usually on the gravestones of Freemasons and Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Broken Wheel	Broken Wheel	Symbolizes the end of a life.
Broken Chain	Broken Chain	Symbolizes a loss in the family ties with the person represented as a link.
Circle	Circle	Symbolizing eternal life - Having no beginning, and no end.
Cornucopia	Cornucopia	The "Horn of Plenty" is Symbolic of an abundant, fruitful life.





Urn	Urn	The ancient symbol for death. Sometimes shown with a cloth draped over it showing deaths seperation from life.

www.Leazott.com
Family Tree And Website