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TAPHOLOGY - GRAVEYARD SYMBOLISM
THE SYMBOLOGY OF THE GRAVEYARD

There is a rich symbolism on gravestones and tombs, especially in the Victorian era where a cornucopia (literally, on some stones) of plants, objects, animals etc. exists, all representing something.

The following is a list of objects encountered on tombs; it is not comprehensive, and some sources give conflicting meanings, but it is a rough guide to what objects may be encountered and what they may mean.

Plants are especially tricky as they can be difficult to identify.

Animals

ANT: HARD WORK, CHRISTIAN INDUSTRY
BAT THE UNDERWORLD, RARE
BEE: RESURRECTION, METAMORPHOSIS, THE RISEN CHRIST, CHASTITY
BIRDS IN FLIGHT: THE WINGED SOUL, ETERNAL LIFE, OFTEN SEEN ON A CHILD'S GRAVE
BUTTERFLY: RESURRECTION, METAMORPHOSIS, THE RISEN CHRIST
CHAIN: THE TIE OF THE SOUL TO EARTH; BROKEN LINK MEANS DEATH
CHRYSALIS: AS FOR BUTTERFLY
CORNUCOPIA, HORN OF PLENTY: GENEROSITY, BOUNTEOUSNESS
DOG: LOYALTY, DEVOTION
DOLPHIN: RESURRECTION
DOVE, DESCENDING: THE HOLY SPIRIT DESCENDING TO EARTH, OFTEN WITH AN OLIVE BRANCH, INDICATING HOPE, PROMISE
DOVE, ASCENDING: THE HOLY SPIRIT RETURNING TO HEAVEN, CAN ALSO MEAN WITH THE SOUL OF THE DEPARTED
DRAGON & ST GEORGE: TRIUMPH OVER SIN
EAGLE, WINGED: THE SIGN OF ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST, COURAGE, POSSIBLE MILITARY LIFE
EGG: REGENERATION, RENEWAL, RESURRECTION, THINK OF EASTER
FISH: ANCIENT COVERT SYMBOL FOR CHRIST, FAITH
FOX: CRUELTY, CUNNING; ODD ONE, I HAVE NEVER COME ACROSS THIS
FROG: RESURRECTION; SIN AND WORLDLY PLEASURES
HART: THIRSTING FOR GOD, FAITH, CHRIST SLAYING SATAN
HORSE: COURAGE OR GENEROSITY
LAMB: CHRIST THE REDEEMER, SACRIFICE, INNOCENCE; WITH A BANNER, RESURRECTION Cf. "AGNUS DEI"; COMMON ON A CHILD'S GRAVE
LION: POWER OF A GUARD, GUARDIAN OF THE TOMB AGAINST EVIL SPIRITS, COURAGE, DETERMINATION, ROYALTY; SARCOPHAGI ON STONES ARE OFTEN DEPICTED ON LION'S PAWS
LION, WINGED: THE SYMBOL OF ST MARK THE EVANGELIST
OX, WINGED: THE SYMBOL OF ST LUKE THE EVANGELIST
PEACOCK: INCORRUPTIBILITY OF THE FLESH, THE BEAUTY OF THE SOUL, IMMORTALITY
PELICAN: REDEMPTION THROUGH CHRIST
PHOENIX: RESURRECTION, REBIRTH, IMMORTALITY, BAPTISM
RAM: SACRIFICE
ROOSTER: VIGILANCE, REPENTANCE, ST PETER
SERPENT SWALLOWING ITS OWN TAIL IN A CIRCLE: ETERNITY, IMMORTALITY A PRE-CHRISTIAN SYMBOL, THE OUROBOUROS
SERPENT: SIN, DEATH, SATAN, THE FALL OF MAN
SPHINX: STRENGTH AND PROTECTION EGYPTIAN SYMBOLOGY ENJOYED POPULARITY IN THE 1920s AND 30s, DUE TO THE TUTANKHAMUN MANIA
SQUIRREL (USUALLY WITH A NUT): CHRISTIAN FORETHOUGHT, MEDITATION OR SPIRITUAL STRIVING
STAG: THIRSTING FOR GOD, FAITH, CHRIST SLAYING SATAN

Body Parts

ARMS OUTSTRETCHED: PLEA FOR MERCY
EYE, ALL SEEING EYE: THE EYE OF GOD, OMNIPRESENT, OMNISCIENT GOD OFTEN SEEN IN A TRIANGLEWITH RAYS RADIATING OUTWARDS
HANDS, CLASPED: MARRIAGE, FAITH, CLOSE BOND, UNITY AFTER DEATH USUALLY A MAN'S CUFF AND A WOMAN'S FRILLY CUFF; OFTEN MEANS THE PRE-DECEASED GUIDING THE SURVIVOR TO HEAVEN
HAND OF GOD PLUCKING THE LINK OF A CHAIN: GOD BRINGING A SOUL TO HIMSELF
HAND HOLDING A HEART: CHARITY OFTEN SEEN, BUT NOT EXCLUSIVE TO, ON GRAVES OF MEMBERS OF THE INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODDFELLOWS
HAND HOLDING AN OPEN BOOK: EMBODIMENT OF FAITH
HAND POINTING DOWN: MORTALITY, SUDDEN DEATH "IT COULD BE YOU"?
HAND POINTING UP: REWARD OF THE RIGHTEOUS, LIFE AFTER DEATH, ASCENSION TO HEAVEN; "SHOW ME THE WAY TO GO HOME"?
HANDS, TWO, TOUCHING AT THE THUMBS: A BENEDICTION, ORIGINATES FROM THE JEWISH COHEN CASTE (WHERE LEONARD NIMOY GOT THE "LIVE LONG AND PROSPER GESTURE FROM, HE USED IN STAR TREK)
HEART: LOVE, MORTALITY, COURAGE, THE LOVE OF GOD, INTELLIGENCE
HEART, BLEEDING THE SUFFERING OF CHRIST FOR OUR SINS
HEART, ENCLOSED BY THORNS: THE SUFFERING OF CHRIST
HEART, FLAME ISSUING FROM IT: EXTREME RELIGIOUS FERVOUR
HEART, PIERCED BY A SWORD: THE PROPHECY TO THE VIRGIN MARY ON CHRIST'S BIRTH "YEA, A SWORD SHALL PIERCE THROUGH THINE OWN SOUL"; CHARITY
MASONIC SYMBOLS: GRAVE OF A MASON
SKULL, SKULL AND CROSSBONES: IN THE 16th AND 17th CENTURIES, THESE WERE CONSIDERED THE MINIMUM BODY PARTS REQUIRED FOR "THE LAST TRUMP" WHEN THE DEAD WOULD BE CALLED UP TO HEAVEN

Geometric Symbolism

CIRCLE: A PRE-CHRISTIAN SYMBOL OF ETERNITY, OFTEN SURROUNDING A CROSS SEE OUROBOROS (SERPENT) IN ANIMALS
CROSS: NATURALLY, FEATURES FREQUENTLY SEE BELOW FOR TYPES
BOTONEE CROSS: MODIFIED TREFOIL ENDS REPRESENT THE HOLY TRINITY
CALVARY CROSS: A LATIN CROSS ON THREE STEPS OR BLOCKS. IT REPRESENTS FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE ALTHOUGH LOVE IS SOMETIMES RPELACED BY CHARITY
CELTIC CROSS: THE CIRCLE AROUND THE CROSSPIECE SYMBOLISES ETERNITY (AS ABOVE); LEGEND STATES THAT ST PATRICK, PREACHING TO PAGANS, WAS SHOWN A CIRCLE SACRED TO THE MOON GODDESS. PATRICK DREW A LATIN CROSS THROUGH THE CIRCLE, AND BLESSED THE STONE, THUS MAKING THE FIRST CELTIC CROSS.
EASTERN CROSS: THE UPPER SLANTING CROSS PIECE REPRESENTS THE INSCRIPTION OVER CHRIST'S HEAD, THE LOWER SLANTING CROSS PIECE, HIS FOOTREST ON THE CROSS USED IN THE EASTERN (RUSSIAN, GREEK ETC) CHURCH.
FLEUREE/GOTHIC CROSS: A FLOWERED CROSS SYMBOLISING THE ADULT CHRISTIAN BY ITS FLARED ENDS
GREEK CROSS: FOUR ARMS OF EQUAL LENGTH, THE TRADITIONAL SYMBOL OF CHRISTIAN FAITH ORIGINALLY A PRE-CHRISTIAN SYMBOL DENOTING THE FOUR ELEMENTS - AIR, FIRE, WATER, EARTH
IONIC CROSS: SIMILAR TO A CELTIC CROSS BUT WITH THE ENDS FLARED; SYMBOLISES SALVATION, LOVE, GLORY, ETERNITY
LATIN CROSS: ONE OF THE OLDEST AND MOST SEEN SYMBOLS OF CHRISTIANITY
TRIANGLE: AN EQUILATERAL TRIANGLE REPRESENTS THE HOLY TRINITY; USED BY THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS, THE TRIANGLE WAS A SYMBOL OF GODHEAD
TREFOIL: REPRESENTS THE HOLY TRINITY
TRIQUETRA: CIRCLE WITHIN A TRIANGLE, THE HOLY TRINITY AGAIN.
SQUARE: REPRESENTS THE EARTH AND EARTHLY EXISTENCE
PENTAGRAM: SYMBOLISES THE FIVE WOUNDS OF CHRIST SUFFERED ON THE CROSS ANOTHER PRE-CHRISTIAN SYMBOL, ALSO CONSIDERED A SORCERY SYMBOL
PYRAMID: ETERNITY THERE WAS AN ANCIENT BELIEF THAT A PYRAMID SHAPED TOMBSTONE STOPPED THE DEVIL FROM RECLINING ON A GRAVE
STAR, FIVE POINTED: REPRESENTS THE LIFE OF CHRIST ANDTHE FIVE WOUNDS; A STAR CAN ALSO BE INDICATIVE OF THE WAY TO HEAVEN
STAR, FIVE POINTED PENTAGRAM: AS FOR PENTAGRAM DUBBED BY PRE-CHRISTIAN PRIESTS AS THE WITCH'S FOOT. IN THE MIDDLE AGES KNOWN AS SOLOMON'S SEAL OR THE GOBLIN'S FOOT. ALSO REPRESENTS THE FIVE MOSAIC BOOKS OF THE JEWISH RELIGION. ALSO A MASONIC SYMBOL.
STAR OF DAVID: THE STAR OF DAVID, OR DAVID'S SHIELD, A JEWISH SYMBOL ALSO USED BY ALCHEMISTS AND SORCERERS. DOES APPEAR ON CHRISTIAN GRAVES.
MENORAH: SEVEN BRANCHED CANDLESTICK, FOR THE JEWISH PEOPLE REPRESENTING THE DIVINE PRESENCE OF GOD; SYMBOLISES THE SEVEN DAYS OF THE CREATION
SWASTIKA: A BUDDHIST SYMBOL AND ONE OF THE MOST ANCIENT USED; PERVERTED BY THE NAZIS

Objects

ANCHOR: USED BY EARLY CHRISTIANS AS A COVERT CROSS AND A MARKER TO SECRET MEETINGS. A CHRISTIAN SYMBOL OF HOPE. ALSO USED TO DENOTE A SEAFARER; ST NICHOLAS,PATRON SAINT OF SEAMEN WHO SYMBOLISED HOPE AND STEADFASTNESS. AN ANCHOR WITH A BROKEN CHAIN REPRESENTS THE CESSATION OF LIFE.
ARCH: THE VICTORY OF LIFE, VICTORY IN DEATH
ARROW: MORTALITY, OFTEN SEEN IN GRAVE RAILINGS
ANGELS/CHERUBS: MESSENGERS OF GOD. SHOW IN VARIOUS POSES, SEE BELOW; TWO ANGELS CAN BE IDENTIFIED: GABRIEL WITH A HORN, ST MICHAEL WITH A SWORD.
ANGEL BLOWING A HORN OR TWO HORNS: THE LAST TRUMP, THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT, CALL TO RESURRECTION
ANGEL CARRYING A FIGURE: CARRYING THE SOUL OF THE DECEASED TO HEAVEN
ANGEL WATCHING OVER SOMEONE/CORPSE: GUARDIAN OF THE DEAD
ANGEL FLYING: REBIRTH
MULTIPLE ANGELS ON CLOUDS: HEAVENLY HOST
ANGEL WEEPING: GRIEF, MOURNING, AN UNTIMELY DEATH
BABY' CHAIR: THE UNFULFILLED LIFE OF A CHILD, SOMETIMES WITH SMALL SHOES ON THE CHAIR
BIBLE/BOOK: FAITH, LITERACY, CLERICAL PERSON, SCHOLAR, THE BOOK OF A LIFE SOMETIMES WITH A DOG EARED PAGE REPRESENTING REMEMBRANCE. OFTEN SEEN OPEN WITH A BOOKMARK AND/OR SUITABLY PIOUS INSCRIPTION
CANDLE, LIT: LIFE
CHALICE: THE SACRAMENT SOMETIMES SEEN WITH CORN OR WHEAT
CHERUB'S HEAD: THE SOUL; SOME VERY GROTESQUE ONES ABOUT!
CHILDREN: THE UNTIMELY DEATH OF AN INNOCENT, SOMETIMES INDICATING MOURNING FOR A PARENT; WITH A SKULL, A DEAD CHILD
CHILDREN SLEEPING: SLEEP IS THE LINK BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH, PURITY, ARTLESSNESS, INNOCENCE
COFFIN, SARCOPHAGUS: MORTALITY; SOMETIMES ON LION'S FEET (SEE LION)
COLUMN, BROKEN:
EARLY GRIEF, LIFE CUT SHORT, CAN BE THE LOSS OF THE HEAD OF A FAMILY SOMETIMES GARLANDED; SEE TREE TRUNK
COLUMNS WITH ARCH: THE GATES OF HEAVEN
CROSS AND ANCHOR: EARLY CHRISTIAN SYMBOL: "HOPE WE HAVE AS AN ANCHOR OF THE SOUL, BOTH SINCERE AND STEADFAST" (HEBREWS 6,19)
CROWN: IMMORTALITY, RIGHTEOUSNESS, VICTORY, TRIUMPH; VICTORY OF LIFE OVER DEATH, RESURRECTION; SOMETIMES SEEN BEING OFFERED TO THOSE ON EARTH BY ANGELS
CROWN ON A CROSS: SOVEREIGNTY OF THE LORD
DOORS, GATES: PASSAGE INTO THE AFTERLIFE, ENTRANCE TO HEAVEN
DRAPES: SORROW, MOURNING A WELL KNOWN VICTORIAN SYMBOL OF MOURNING
FLAME: ETERNITY, LIFE EVERLASTING; SEE URN
GRIM REAPER: PERSONIFICATION OF DEATH
HARP: SYMBOL OF ST CECILIA, PATRON SAINT OF MUSICIANS; HOPE, HEAVENLY WORSHIP CAN BE SEEN ON MUSICIANS' GRAVES
HOURGLASS: INEVITABILITY OF THE PASSAGE OF TIME, EPHEMERAL NATURE OF LIFE; ON ITS SIDE - TIME HAS STOPPED FOR THE DECEASED; WINGED - THE SWIFTNESS OF TIME
KEYS: SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE, ENTRY INTO HEAVEN SOMETIMES SEEN IN THE HANDS OF AN ANGEL, ST PETER (WHO HOLDS THE KEYS TO HEAVEN)
KNOT, CELTIC: RESURRECTION, LIFE EVERLASTING
LABYRINTH: THE PASSAGE OF LIFE
LAMP: KNOWLEDGE, LOVE OF LEARNING, IMMORTALITY OF THE SPIRIT; OFTEN DEPICTED AS AN ANCIENT HAND OIL LAMP
PICK, SPADE: MORTALITY, THE TOOLS OF THE GRAVE DIGGER
PITCHER, EWER: CLEANSING; A JEWISH SYMBOL
ROD, STAFF: COMFORT
SCROLL: SYMBOL OF LIFE AND TIME; CAN BE HELD BY AN ANGEL INDICATING THE LIFE OF THE DECEASED; CAN ALSO MEAN HONOUR AND COMMEMORATION
SCYTHE, SICKLE: THE LAST HARVEST, i.e. DEATH; SICKLE OFTEN SHOWN WITH SHEAF OF CORN WHICH CAN ALSO REFER TO A FARMER
SHELL: PRE-CHRISTIAN USE IN BURIALS, SYMBOLIC OF FERTILITY AND RESURRECTION. A SCALLOP SHELL WAS WORN BY PEOPLE WHO HAD MADE THE PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND. THE SCALLOP WAS A TRADITIONAL SYMBOL OF THE PURITANS
SHIP: THE GRAVE OF A SEAFARER THERE ARE QUITE A FEW OF THESE IN ST WOOLOS CEMETERY IN NEWPORT, MOSTLY REFERRING TO BRISTOL CHANNEL PILOTS. (ALSO A LARGE "LIGHTHOUSE" AT ST WOOLOS CEMETERY)
SKULL, SKELETON, BONES: MORTALITY; THE SKULL AND FEMUR BONES WERE CONSIDERED AT ONE TIME TO BE THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENT ON THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT FOR ENTRY INTO HEAVEN
SUN, SETTING: DEATH
SUN, RISING/SHINING: RENEWED LIFE (AS IN THE ROMAN LEGEND OF THE GOD APOLLO)
SWORD: A MILITARY/NAVAL MAN
SWORDS CROSSED: DEATH IN BATTLE
TORCH UPRIGHT, WITH FLAMES: LIFE
TORCH DOWNWARDS WITH OR WITHOUT FLAMES: THE EXTINGUISHING OF LIFE, DEATH
TRUMPETS: VICTORY AND RESURRECTION
URN: A GREEK SYMBOL OF MOURNING, CAN SUGGEST THE REPOSITORY OF THE SOUL. A FLAME ISSUING FROM THE TOP SYMBOLISES ETERNAL LIFE. SOMETIMES SHOWN WITH A WOMAN KNEELING AND LOOKING INTO THE URN; AN UNFORTUNATE IMAGE SINCE IT CAN LOOK AS IF SHE IS VOMITING INTO THE URN. OFTEN SEEN GARLANDED OR DRAPED.
WINGED GLOBE: GOD THE CREATOR; AN EGYPTIAN SYMBOL FOR RA, THE SUN GOD
WINGED SKULL: THE FLIGHT OF THE SOUL FROM THE DECEASED
WINGED WHEEL: THE HOLY SPIRIT
WOMAN POINTING UPWARD: FAITH; OFTEN HOLDING A BOOK
WOMAN CLINGING TO A CROSS PILLAR OR ANCHOR (USUALLY ON A ROCK): FAITH THIS IMAGE ACCOMPANIED THE ORIGINAL HYMN SHEET FOR 'ROCK OF AGES'

Plants

ACACIA: IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL
ACANTHUS: THE HEAVENLY GARDEN, ESCAPE FROM THE TOMB, RESURRECTION
BAMBOO: BUDDHA; (JAPANESE - DEVOTION AND TRUTHFULNESS)
BUTTERCUP: CHEERFULNESS
CALLA LILY: MARRIAGE
CINQUEFOIL: MATERNAL AFFECTION, LOVED DAUGHTER
CORN: DECEASED WAS A FARMER, FINAL HARVEST - DEATH SEE SCYTHE
CROCUS: YOUTHFUL JOY
CYPRESS: HOPE
DAFFODIL: DEATH OF YOUTH; DESIRE, ART, GRACE, DEEP REGARD; SOMETIMES SEEN WITH BROKEN STEM; FOR ANY FLOWER, THIS DENOTES CESSATION OF LIFE
DAISY: INNOCENCE OF A CHILD, THE INFANT JESUS, PURITY, GENTLENESS
DEAD LEAVES: SADNESS, MELANCHOLY
DOGWOOD: CHRISTIANITY, DIVINE SACRIFICE, TRIUMPH OF LIFE OVER DEATH
FERN: SINCERITY, SORROW
FIG, PINEAPPLE: PROSPERITY, ETERNAL LIFE; GENERALLY, A PINEAPPLE WAS A VICTORIAN SYMBOL OF HOSPITALITY, OFTEN SEEN ON ORNATE GATE POSTS
FLEUR-DE-LIS: FLAME, ARDOUR, A MOTHER
FLOWER, GENERAL: FRAILTY OF LIFE
FLOWER, BROKEN: MORTALITY, DEATH
FORGET-ME-NOT: REMEMBRANCE
GRAPES. GRAPE LEAVES: CHRIST, CHRISTIAN FAITH, THE HOLY SACRAMENT
IVY: IMMORTALITY, MEMORY, FRIENDSHIP, UNDYING AFFECTION, ETERNAL LIFE
HAWTHORN: HOPE, MERRINESS, SPRINGTIME ("CAST NE'ER A CLOUT ERE MAY IS OUT")
HOLLY: FORESIGHT
HONEYSUCKLE: BONDS OF LOVE, GENEROSITY, AFFECTION
LALLA: BEAUTY, MARRIAGE
LAUREL: ACHIEVEMENT, DISTINCTION, SUCCESS, TRIUMPH
LILY: MAJESTY, INNOCENCE, PURITY, RESURRECTION; CAN BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIRGIN MARY, OFTEN SEEN OF WOMEN'S GRAVES
LILY OF THE VALLEY: RETURN OF HAPPINESS, PURITY, HUMILITY
MORNING GLORY: RESURRECTION, MOURNING, YOUTH, FAREWELL, SHORTNESS OF LIFE, MORTALITY
MOSS: MERIT, WORTH
MULBERRY: I WILL NOT SURVIVE YOU
MYSTIC ROSE: MOTHER
OAK, LEAVES, ACORN: HOSPITALITY, STRENGTH, STABILITY; CAN MEAN POWER, VICTORY, AUTHORITY AN OBJECT OF DRUID WORSHIP, PRE CHRISTIAN
PALM: SPIRITUAL VICTORY, ETERNAL PEACE, EASTER
PANSY: REMEMBRANCE AND HUMILITY
PASSION FLOWER: THE ELEMENTS OF THE PASSION OF CHRIST: THE LACY CROWN - CROWN OF THORNS, THE FIVE STAMENS - THE FIVE WOUNDS, THE TEN PETALS - THE TEN FAITHFUL APOSTLES
PINEAPPLE, FIG: PROSPERITY, ETERNAL LIFE; GENERALLY, A PINEAPPLE WAS A VICTORIAN SYMBOL OF HOSPITALITY, OFTEN SEEN ON ORNATE GATE POSTS
POPPY: PEACE, REST, SLEEP, ETERNAL SLEEP, CONSOLATION
ROSE: LOVE, HOPE, BEAUTY; OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIRGIN MARY. RED ROSE SYMBOLISES MARTYRDOM, WHITE ROSE PURITY AND VIRGINITY
ROSEBUD: CHILD UNDER TWELVE (NOT HARD AND FAST RULE)
ROSE, PARTIAL BLOOM: TEENAGER (NOT HARD AND FAST RULE)
ROSE, FULL BLOOM: EARLY-MID TWENTIES, THE PRIME OF LIFE (NOT HARD AND FAST RULE)
ROSEBUD, BROKEN: A LIFE CUT SHORT
ROSEBUDS, JOINING: STRONG BOND BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE WHO DIED AT THE SAME TIME
ROSEBUDS, SEVERAL ON THE SAME BRANCH: SECRECY THE ROSE WAS AN ELIZABETHAN SYMBOL OF SECRECY - "SUB ROSA" ; THE CENTREPIECE OF THE INTELLIGENCE CORPS CREST
ROSETTE: THE LORD, MESSIANIC HOPE, PROMISE, LOVE
ROSE, WREATH: BEAUTY AND VIRTUE REWARDED
SHAMROCK: IRISH DECEASED; TREFOIL DEVICES ALSO SYMBOLISE THE HOLY TRINITY
THISTLE: SCOTTISH DECEASED; EARTHLY SORROW, CHRIST'S CROWN OF THORNS
TREE: ALL COVERING LOVE OF CHRIST, TREE OF LIFE
TREE TRUNK SAWN OFF: LIFE CUT SHORT (SEE COLUMN)
TREE BRANCH SEVERED: MORTALITY
TREE SPROUTING: IMMORTALITY
VINE: GOD'S BLOOD, GOD (SEE GRAPE)
WEEPING WILLOW: NATURE'S LAMENT, SORROW AND MOURNING
WHEAT: RESURRECTION, THE SACRAMENT, FERTILITY; SOMETIMES SEEN WITH GRAPES AND/OR A CHALICE
WHEAT SHEAVES: DIVINE HARVEST, DEATH (SEE CORN)
WREATH OR GARLAND: DATES BACK TO THE ANCIENT GREEKS. ADOPTED BY CHRISTIANITY AS A SYMBOL OF THE REDEMPTION; OFTEN DRAPED AROUND URNS OR CROSSES ETC.
WREATH, LAUREL: SOMEONE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ARTS, LITERATURE, ATHLETICS, THE MILITARY
WREATH, IVY: CONVIVIALITY
WREATH, BRIDAL: MAY MEAN THE GRAVE OF A YOUNG BRIDE OR GROOM
YEW TREE: SADNESS, ETERNAL LIFE AN ANCIENT DRUIDIC OBJECT OF WORSHIP LONG ASSOCIATED WITH CHURCHYARDS BECAUSE EARLY CHURCHES WERE ESTABLISHED ON ALREADY SACRED SITES

1 comment

Cold War Warrior said:

What got me interested in graves in the first place was seeing crossed arrows in railings around a grave. I'd never thought of any symbology before, but felt there must be some meaning to these arrows; the rest just followed on.
10 years ago