Memorial Decorations & Carvings |
The Language of Death |
Symbols and Carvings |
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| The carvings on graves and other memorials to the departed may simply be decorative. Or they may have been chosen to say something about a person. Older gravestones in particular may have features from a set of once commonly recognised symbols - the "Language of Death" - telling something about the deceased's life, relationships, or manner of death, or expressing a hope for his/her soul. The list below is not exhaustive, but may be helpful in 'decoding' such symbolic carvings. Note that some overlap, but may have distinguishing nuances according to the traditions of those who commissioned them. Below the list are some examples. |
| Acacia | Immortality |
| Acanthus | Heaven |
| Anchor | Hope & Steadfastness or Sailor's Grave. [example below] |
| Angel | Spirituality – Link between God and Earth |
| Angel blowing a trumpet | Call to Resurrection |
| Angel flying | Rebirth (Angels and Cherubs may look very similar). [example above] |
| Arch | Victory |
| Arrow | Mortality |
| Arms Outstretched | Mercy |
| Bell | A call to judgement |
| Bird in Flight | The soul ascending to heaven |
| Book | Faith or Wisdom |
| Branch | Cut short from the tree of life |
| Buttercup | Cheerfulness |
| Butterfly | Resurrection |
| Candle | Life |
| Cherub | The Soul or Grave of a Child |
| Circle | Eternity |
| Clouds | Heaven |
| Coffin | Eternity |
| Coffin open | Resurrection [example below] |
| Column broken | Early grief or sorrow; a life cut short [example below] |
| Corn | A Farmer's Grave |
| Crocus | Gladness |
| Crown | Immortality – Victory – A reward to the faithful |
| Daffodil | Deep regard or Grave of a Child |
| Daisy | Innocence or Grave of a Child |
| Deer | Faithfulness |
| Dog | Loyalty |
| Door or Gate | Entrance to heaven |
| Dove | The Holy Spirit |
| Drapery | Mourning |
| Eagle | Courage or Military Service |
| Fern | Sorrow |
| Fish | Faith |
| Flame | Eternity |
| Hand pointing down | Mortality |
| Hand Pointing Up | Righteousness |
| Hands Shaking | Farewell |
| Hands preying | Devotion |
| Harp | Hope or Grave of a Musician |
| Heart | Love |
| Heart bleeding | Suffering |
| Heart on fire | Religious fervour |
| Hexagram (6-pointed star) | Associated with Freemasonry, Judaism, Islam and other creeds; most likely to indicate a Freemason |
| Horse | Courage |
| Hourglass | Time passing |
| Hourglass on its side | Time stopped |
| Hourglass with wings | Time's swift flight |
| IHS | Jesus (from Hebrew via Greek & Latin); or: "In Hoc Signo" (In hoc signo vinces - In this sign you will conquer); or: "Iesus Hominum Salvator" (Jesus Saviour of Men) - depending upon interpretation & tradition [examples below] |
| INRI | Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. (Latin. Sign affixed to Jesus' Cross on Pilate's orders) |
| Ivy | Undying affection [example below] |
| Key | Spiritual knowledge |
| Knot | Everlasting life |
| Lamb | Purity & Innocence |
| Lamp | Knowledge |
| Lily Flower | Death - hence Purity and Resurrection. [example below] |
| Lily of the Valley | Purity and Innocence [example below] |
M | Mary - one of many Marian symbols |
| Mizpah | "Hope & Light" - "The Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent one from another" |
| Neptune's Trident | A Sailor's Grave. [example below] |
| Oak | Strength or Endurance |
| Obelisk | Eternal Life |
| Pansy | Remembrance |
| Poppy | Peace – Sleep - Rest |
| Pyramid | Eternity |
| Rocks | Strength or Safety |
| Rose | (Maternal) Love |
| Rosebud | Death of a Child |
| Roses entwined | Bond between two people |
| Scales | Day of Judgement |
| Shell | Unforgotten or Pilgrimage |
| Ship sinking (sails awry, masts leaning) | Shipwreck victim |
| Snake | The Fall of Man or Eternity |
| Sickle or Scythe | The Divine Harvest |
| Skeleton or Skull | Mortality. [example below] |
| Star | Spirit |
| Swords & Pistols | Courage - A Military Grave. [example below] |
| Torch | Life |
| Triangle | Trinity |
| Trumpets | Victory and Resurrection or The Day of Judgement. [example below] |
| Urn | Greek symbol of mourning or The Soul |
| Urn on Fire | New Life |
| Willow | Grief (may also indicate a Mason) |
| Yew | Eternal Life |
| Examples of Carved Symbols | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Lily of the Valley |
Click on images for larger versions 
Pistols & Sword |
The Lily Flower
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IHS |
IHS |
IHS |
Open Coffin |
Ivy garland |
Skull with long bone and crossed trumpets |
A 'broken' column | |
Trident & Anchor |
An angel with wings |
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| Click on images for larger versions | |||
| For examples of crosses see Memorial Shapes | |||
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