Thread: Gravestones

petal · 08-10-2006, 06:36 PM

GRAVESTONE SYMBOLS & THEIR MEANINGS

The following is a list of symbols and their meanings that may be found on old gravestones.
Anchor -Hope, Seaman
Angels -Rebirth, resurrection, protection, judgement, wisdom, mercy, divine love
Bird -Eternal life, winged soul, spirituality
Chain with three links -Trinity, faith
Fish -Christian symbol of plenty
Frog -Worldly pleasure, sin
Lamb -Innocence, sometimes used on a child's grave
Lamp -Immortality, knowledge of God
Lily -Purity
Lion -Courage, strength, the Resurrection
Hand pointing upward -Reward of the righteous; confirmation of life after death
Hands folded -Devotion, prayer
Handshakes -Farewell to earthly existence
Ivy -Fidelity, attachement, undying affection
Poppies -Eternal sleep, military service
Rope Circle -Eternity
Rose -Victory, pride, triumphant love, purity
Snake with its tail in its mouth-Symbolizes eternity
Tree Trunk, Leaning -Short interrupted life, mourning
Urn -Immortality, death of the body and its return to dust
Wreath on Skull -Victory of death over life

petal · 12-11-2006, 07:37 PM

http://members.aol.com/fmosconi/Page6a.html

Another site giving a more extensive list of the meanings of what's on a headstone....symbols/words etc.

http://tales.co.uk/I_P.html - Tombstone art and symbols and their meanings.

08-10-2006, 06:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
petal Super Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Horncastle, Lincolnshire Posts: 8,522 Total Awards: 5	Gravestones GRAVESTONE SYMBOLS & THEIR MEANINGS The following is a list of symbols and their meanings that may be found on old gravestones. *Anchor* -Hope, Seaman *Angels* -Rebirth, resurrection, protection, judgement, wisdom, mercy, divine love *Bird* -Eternal life, winged soul, spirituality *Chain with three links* -Trinity, faith *Fish* -Christian symbol of plenty *Frog* -Worldly pleasure, sin *Lamb* -Innocence, sometimes used on a child's grave *Lamp* -Immortality, knowledge of God *Lily* -Purity *Lion* -Courage, strength, the Resurrection *Hand pointing upward* -Reward of the righteous; confirmation of life after death *Hands folded* -Devotion, prayer *Handshakes* -Farewell to earthly existence *Ivy* -Fidelity, attachement, undying affection *Poppies* -Eternal sleep, military service *Rope Circle* -Eternity *Rose* -Victory, pride, triumphant love, purity *Snake with its tail in its mouth-Symbolizes eternity Tree Trunk, Leaning* -Short interrupted life, mourning *Urn* -Immortality, death of the body and its return to dust *Wreath on Skull* -Victory of death over life
	(AKA Mary) How beautiful it is to do nothing and rest afterwards...

12-11-2006, 07:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
petal Super Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Horncastle, Lincolnshire Posts: 8,522 Total Awards: 5	Re: Gravestones http://members.aol.com/fmosconi/Page6a.html Another site giving a more extensive list of the meanings of what's on a headstone....symbols/words etc. http://tales.co.uk/I_P.html - Tombstone art and symbols and their meanings. Last edited by petal; 13-11-2006 at 12:32 PM.
	(AKA Mary) How beautiful it is to do nothing and rest afterwards...