Meanings

          of Gravestone                                
           
          Inscriptions

Anchor/Ships ............................... Hope or Seafaring profession

Arches............................................ Victory in Death

Arrows...........................................  Mortality

Bird   ............................................  Eternal life

Bird. Flying ................................  Resurrection 

Book or Bible; Open ..................... Deceased Teacher, Minister, etc.

Bouquets/Flowers ......................... Condolences, grief, sorrow

Buds/Rosebud ..............................  Morning of Life or Renewal of Life

Bugles .......................................... Resurrection and the Military

Butterfly ....................................... Short-lived, Early Death

Candle; being Snuffed ................ Time, mortality

Cherub ........................................ Angelic

Column. Broken ........................... Loss of Head of Family

Corn ............................................ Ripe Old Age

Cross ............................................ Emblem of Faith

Crossed Swords ...........................  High-ranking military person

Darts, Coffin, ................................... Father Time,

Dove ............................................ Innocence, Gentleness, Affection, Purity

Flying Birds................................  Flight of the Soul

Fruits .........................................   Eternal plenty

Garlands ....................................  Victory in death

Handshakes ................................. Farewell

Harp ............................................ Praise to the Maker

Hearts .......................................... Soul in Bliss or Love of Christ

Horns .......................................... The Resurrection

Hourglass ................................... Swiftness of Time

Hand of God Chopping ..................... Sudden Death

Hourglass with Wings of Time ....... Time Flying; Short Life

Imps ...........................................  Mortality

Ivy................................................. Friendship and Immortality

Lamb .......................................... Innocence

Laurel .......................................... Fame or Victory

Lily or Lily of Valley ..................... Emblem of Innocence and Purity

Morning Glory.............................. Beginning of Life

Oak Leaves & Acorn .................... Maturity, Ripe Old Age

Palm Branch................................ Signifies Victory and Rejoicing

Picks/Shovels ...................................  Mortality

Poppy ........................................... Sleep

Portals .......................................... Passageway to eternal journey

Ring. Broken ................................ Family Circle Severed

Rose. Fully-Open ............................ Prime of Life

Roses ............................................. Brevity of earthly existence

Shells ..........................................  Pilgrimage of Life

Stars & Stripes Around Eagle ..... Eternal Vigilance, Liberty

Thistles .......................................  Remembrance

Tombs  ...................................... . Mortality

Torch Inverted ............................. Life Extinct

Tree Stump with Ivy ...................... Head of Family; Immortality

Trees ............................................ Life

Trumpeters................................... Heralds of the Resurrection

Urn with Blaze ............................ Undying Friendship

Urn with Wreath or Crepe ..................  Mourning

Weeping Willow........................... Emblem of Sorrow

Wheat Sheaf................................. Ripe for Harvest, Divine Harvest, Time

Willows ....................................... Earthly Sorrow

Winged Effigies ................................. Flight of the Soul

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