Tombstone Symbols

Probably, the best place to see the language of symbols is in your local cemetery.

The following is a small sampling of some common tombstone symbols. Like any type of art, some images fall out of fashion, and some icons are favored in one area and unseen in another. For example, one image common in cemeteries in the Midwest is that of shaking hands. This image is not common in Colorado cemeteries.

One note about interpreting cemetery art: while some conventions exist, it is easy to "over-think" a marker. The presence of a primrose might represent eternal love, youth, hope, or sadness. Primroses also have many medicinal uses. The owner of the headstone might've wanted to indicate hope. Or, maybe the person was a pharmacist. Or, they simple could've liked primroses. Or, quite possibly, the design was appreciated by the purchasers of the headstone for purely aesthetic reasons, and had little to do with the deceased.

Symbol, MeaningPicture
Alpha and Omega

The first and the last letters of the greek alphabet, and a biblical reference to Christ, in Revelation, being "the beginning and the end."

Alpha and Ommega

Anchor

Hope, steadfastness

anchor

Bellflower

Gratitude

bellflower

Bird, flying

Indicates the flight of the soul to God.

flying bird

Book

Often, represents the Bible, but, it can simply mean knowledge. An open book might signify an open heart or mind, open to the word of God. A closed book usually indicates a completed life.

book

Child, sleeping

A typical Victorian signifier of a child's grave.

sleeping child

Columbine

The Columbine is the Colorado state flower, and is common on grave markers in the state, even if it is not found much outside of the state, it is said to indicate gentleness.

columbine

Column, broken

Sorrow, broken life

broken column

Cup

A symbol of the Eucharist, this example also has grapes and a vine, reinforcing the meaning.

Cup, vine and grapes

Fish

Often associated with Christ, with early Christian imagery and part of its coded language, it also indicates bounty, or plentifulness.

fish

Gates, Portals

The entrance to the world beyond the earth, the entrance to heaven.

gates

Hand, pointing up

Usually indicates that the deceased has ascended into the heavenly realm.

Hand Pointing up

IHS

This monogram represents the first 3 letters for "Jesus" in the Greek alphabet. In some cases, the letters are overlaid, to create the icon seen to the right. Not to be mistaken for a dollar sign.

IHS

Lamb

Often a symbol of Christ, also, innocence. This is the most common Victorian marker for a child's tombstone.

Lamb

Lily

A Lily is an image of purity, but can also be a symbol of Easter, or the resurrection. Lilies were often used for funerals due to their strong scent which tended to help disguise less pleasant aromas. Note in the example, there are three lilies. Three of anything is usually an allusion to the Trinity.

Three Lilies

Lily of the Valley

Lilies of the Valley, in cemeteries, tend to represent renewal and resurrection, as they are among the first flowers to bloom in the spring. They can also be a symbol of submitting to God's will, innocence and purity.

Lily of the Valley

Lyre

A lyre is the instrument of Apollo. It could also be referencing the harp, which is a symbol of heavenly music, or hopes of heaven. These types of stringed instruments are often seen as the root of divine music. A harp could also indicate someone of Irish heritage.

Harp

Oak Leaves

Oaks are symbols of many things. Strength, endurance, faith and virtue are but a few of these. The oak speaks to the steadfastness of belief, even through tough times. Some believers think that Christ's cross was made of oak. The oak tree is considered sacred to many cultures.

Oak Leaves

Olive Branch

Most people understand an olive branch as a symbol of peace. It can also be meant as fruitfulness, purification, and victory.

Olive Branch

Rooster

A rooster usually indicates vigilance. Roosters were put on weather vanes to "watch" against evil.

Rose

Rose

Roses are known for their fragrance and their beauty. Often they are emblems of the brevity of life or sorrow. In Christian iconography white roses indicate purity, red roses can signify martyrdom.

Rose

Ship

A ship is sometimes a representation of the church. It can also simply indicate a life on the sea, as a fisherman or other sailor.

Ship

Thistle

The thistle is a reminder of the inevitability of death, or remembrance. It is also commonly used to indicate a person of Scottish descent.

Thistle

Torch

A torch, as something which illuminates the darkness, represents enlightenment. It can also indicate zeal, liberty or immortality.

Torch

Torch, inverted

If the inverted torch has a flame, it indicates that life is continuing after death. If there is no flame, it means the extinction of life and mourning.

Inverted Torch

Tree Trunk, usually broken

Premature death

tree trunk

Urn, draped

Anything draped indicates mourning. An urn typically represents the soul, or mortality. The drape can also be an allusion to the "veil" between this world and the next.

Tulip

Weeping Willow

It may be obvious, but, this tree is an image of mourning. In some cultures, it also indicates immortality.

Weeping Willow

Wheat Sheaves

An emblem of the divine harvest. If paired with grapes, it's a symbol of the Eucharist.

Wheat sheaves

Wreath

Victory in death. In Christian imagery, it is an indestructible crown worn by the triumphant believer.

Wheat sheaves

Fraternal Organizations
Symbol, MeaningPicture
Independent Order of Oddfellows

The Independent Order of Oddfellows are primarily associated with the three links of a chain. Each "link" in their chain represents their motto "Friendship, Love and Truth," and often the letters "F, L, T" are inscribed within a link each. The order is sometimes referred to as "the poor man's Freemasonry," as the organization shares many of the symbols, such as the all-seeing eye, with the Freemasons. In this example, note the palm fronds flanking each side of the image. Palm fronds represent victory, and, in Christian contexts and cemeteries, it carries the idea of "Victory in Death."

Oddfellows

Knights of Pythias

A heraldic shield with a suit of armor, or any of these with the letter F C B indicate a member of the Knights of Pythias. The letters stand for "Friendship, Charity and Benevolence The Knights of Pythias were fond of symbols, and commonly used more than 20,000 different ones within their organization.

Knights of Pythias

Knights of Pythias

Knights Templar

It is said that the original Knights Templar founded the Freemasons. The symbol, a Maltese cross with the cross and the crown, includes the latin phrase "In Hoc Signo Vinces," which translates to "In This Sign, Conquer"

Knights Templar

Shriners

The Shriners are an organization only open to 32nd Degree Master Masons and Knights Templar. Their icons often include the scimitar and other appropriated middle eastern designs.

Shriners

Woodman of the World

The latin motto of the Woodman of the World, "Dum Tacet Clamat" translates as "Though silent, he speaks," a particularly fitting statement for cemetery art. The Woodman of the World is an insurance company, that originally insured men in particularly dangerous occupations. In the 1920s, an insurance policy with the Woodman also included a grave marker. Most of these came in the form of trees. While not every tree-shaped monument a cemetery belongs to a Woodman of the World, many do. To the Woodman, the tree stump indicated equality. Note that the example also includes a dove with an olive branch, representing peace, and an axe and wedge, indicating woodcraft/craftsmanship.

Woodman of the World

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