Headstone Symbolism
Symbols on Headstones Demystified
When choosing a headstone or grave marker, we often pick design elements with little knowledge about the symbolism behind it. This glossary of cemetery symbolism will help you to understand the meaning of the many design elements. For those who would like to learn more about the different symbols seen in the form of emblems, the Emblem article is very useful.
ACANTHUS LEAF |
Acanthus is associated with the rocky ground were most Greek cemeteries were placed. Symbol of peace in the Garden of Eden. |
A.E.F. |
American Expeditionary Forces |
ALPHA OMEGA |
Very old sign used in second century, first and last letter of alphabet (Greek), beginning and end of life. |
ANCHOR |
Early Christians used the anchor as a disguised cross, and as a marker to guide the way to secret meeting places. A Christian symbol of hope, it is found as funeral symbolism in the art of the catacombs. It is also an occupational symbol in sea-faring areas or the attribute of Saint Nicholas, patron saint of the seamen, it symbolized hope and steadfastness. An anchor with a broken chain stands for the cessation of life. |
ANGEL |
The agent of God, often pointing towards heaven; guardians of the dead, symbolizing spirituality. Angels are shown in all types of poses with different symbolism. Two angels can be named, and are identified by the objects they carry: Michael, who bears a sword and Gabriel, who is depicted with a horn. |
ARCH |
Victory of life; or victory of death. |
ARMS OUTSTRETCHED |
The plea for mercy. |
ARROW |
Denotes mortality. |
BABY’S CHAIR |
Small, empty furniture symbolized unfulfilled lives of children; represented the child now gone; with small shoes on chair-connection to childhood, symbolized inability to achieve adulthood. |
BAMBOO |
The emblem of Buddha. The seven-knotted bamboo denotes the seven degrees of initiation and invocation in Buddhism. On Japanese memorials, symbolic of devotion and truthfulness. |
BIBLE |
Connotes a religious lay person or cleric. |
BIRD IN FLIGHT |
Flight of the soul. The representation of the soul by a bird goes back to ancient Egypt. Eternal life. |
BOOK |
Faith, learning to read and write, a scholar. A prayer, or knowledge or even memory (where it has a dog-eared page). It may represent the Book of Life and is often shown as a Bible. A popular form is the book as a double page spread. Arabic characters identify the book as the Koran. |
BUGLES |
Resurrection; also military. |
BUTTERCUP |
Cheerfulness. |
BUTTERFLY |
The soul. It is symbolic of the resurrection of Christ. The meaning is derived from the three stages of the life of a butterfly—the caterpillar, the chrysalis, and the butterfly. The three stages are symbols of life, death and resurrection. Short-life. |
CALLA LILY |
Symbolizes marriage. |
CANDLE |
Candles symbolize the spirit or the soul. In Christian contexts, candles can symbolize Jesus Christ. Catholics practice of leaving burning candles on the grave, signify prayers have been said for the deceased. |
CANDLE, WITH FLAME |
Eternal life. |
CHAINS |
Medieval thinkers sometimes held that a golden chain bound the soul to the body. Broken links on a headstone can mean the severance and subsequent release of the spirit from the body. Chains are also the insignia of the International Order of Odd Fellows, so called because of their dedication to giving the poor respectable burials. |
CHALICE |
Sacraments; The chalice often appears in association with a white circle representing the consecrated Eucharist. The two items combine to signify the Catholic rite of Holy Communion. The headstones of priests often bear these symbols. |
CHERUBS |
Angelic; the graves of children. Divine wisdom or justice. |
CHRISMA |
A cross like shape formed by a combination of two Greek letters, chi (X) and rho (P) corresponding to the CH and R of the word, Christi, hence a symbol for Jesus Christ. |
CIRCLE |
The circle is pre-Christian and its original symbolic meaning has been adopted by Christianity. It is universally known as the symbol of eternity and never-ending existence. Extremely common on gravesites, its usual representation is a cross surrounded by a circle. Two circles, one above the other, represent earth and sky. Three interconnected circles represent the Holy Trinity. |
CINQUEFOIL |
Maternal affection, beloved daughter |
CLOUDS |
Veil which conceals God from His worshippers |
CLOVER |
The trinity, symbol of the Irish. |
COFFIN, SARCOPHAGUS, CEMETERY MONUMENT |
Mortality |
COLUMNS |
Noble Life. |
CONCH SHELL |
Wisdom |
CHRIST, VIRGIN MARY, A SAINT, AN ANGEL OR THE LIKE |
Devotion to that holy figure; desire for their aid to attain heaven. |
CROCUS |
Youthful gladness. |
CROSS |
The ties between all religious beliefs and symbolism have always been strong. To the Christians the greatest symbolic message is in the crucifix. The crucifix or cross can generate many sumbolic messages ranging from love, faith and goodness to terror and fear. (i.e. the Ku-Klux-Klan’s use of the burning cross). There are many different types of Christian crosses worldwide, but only a handful are common in North America. |
CROSS AND CROWN |
Victory with Christ over death |
CROSS AND ANCHOR |
Another early Christian symbol referring to Christ as “hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sincere and steadfast” (Hebrews 6:19). |
CROSSED SWORDS |
High-ranking military person. |
CROWN |
Reward and glory. Honors glorified souls and angels, or points to the triumph of death, when it caps a winged skull. Sometimes juxtaposed with cross; indicates that earthly life includes suffering, and the afterlife, victory. |
CYPRESS TREE |
Designates hope. |
DAFFODIL |
Death of youth, desire, art, grace, beauty, deep regard. |
DAISY |
Innocence of child, Jesus the Infant, youth, the Son of righteousness, gentleness, purity of thought. |
D.A.R./S.A.R. |
Daughters/Sons of the American Revolution |
DOG |
Signifying the loyalty and that the master was worth loving. |
DOGWOOD |
Christianity, divine sacrifice, triumph of eternal life, resurrection. |
DOLPHIN |
Salvation, bearer of souls to Heaven. Portrays the idea of resurrection. |
DOVE |
An important symbolic animal in Christianity representing the Holy Spirit. The white dove is referred to in the story of baptism of Christi. “And John bore record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from Heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.” (Bible John 1:32) The descending dove is a common motif on grave memorials. Judaism recognizes the dove as a symbol of peace. |
DOORS & GATES |
Passage into the afterlife; Heavenly entrance. |
DRAGON |
In Christianity, depicts sin and worldly pleasures, or may represent resurrection. For the Chinese, the dragon is an emblem of Imperial Power, which brought the universe into its thrall. It also stands for the Universe itself, a chaotic force which none of us can truly master. If being depicted by St. George, depicts triumph over sin. |
DRAPERIES/CURTAINS |
In the days when the body lay in state in the parlor, it was the custom to cover everything in black. Draperies, with their fancy frills and tassels, are more elaborate than a simple shroud. They allow the expression of mourning to linger long after the body has been taken out the front door and the accoutrements have been stowed for the next death in the family. Curtains can also set the stage. Parted, they reveal a telling excerpt. What is important in such displays is the main actor or central object of the stone. |
DRAPERY OVER ANYTHING |
Sorrow, mourning. |
EAGLE |
Suggests courage and possibly a military career, symbol for St. John |
EYE IN THE TRIANGLE |
Eye of God in the Trinity, all seeing, all knowing. During the Renaissance period in Europe it was common to illustrate the Eye of God surrounded by a triangle (the Holy Trinity). The eye within the triangle, surrounded by a circle and radiating rays of light is used to symbolize the holiness of the true God. |
FERN |
Sincerity, sorrow. |
FIGS, PINEAPPLE |
Prosperity, eternal life. |
FISH |
Indicates Faith |
FLAME |
Eternity |
FLEUR DE LIS |
Flame, passion, ardor, mother. |
F.L.T. (in three links of a chain) |
Friendship, Love, and Truth. It is the symbol of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a fraternal organization also known as “The Three Link Fraternity”. This benevolent and social society originated in England in the 1700’s.This organization takes cares of widows and orphans, and in general does good works. |
FROG |
Depicts in and worldly pleasures, or may represent resurrection. |
FRUITS |
Eternal plenty. |
G.A.R. |
Grand Army of the Republic; the Union Army during the War Between the States. |
GARLAND or WREATH |
The use of garlands, wreaths and festoons dates back to ancient Greek times and it was adopted into the Christian religion as a symbol of the victory of the redemption. Ancient symbol of victory, memory, passed to eternal life. |
GEOMETRY COMPASS |
In open position, often shown over open book, with letter “G” within angle of compass; Masonic affiliation (Freemasons; Free and Accepted Masons). |
GRAPES |
Represents Christ, blood of Christ, God’s care or Last Supper. |
GRAPES W/LEAVES |
Christian faith. |
GRIM REAPER |
Death Personified |
HANDS |
One hand- the hand of God |
HARP |
Associated with David in the Old Testament; symbol of St. Cecilia, patron saint of musicians. Symbolic of worship in Heaven, hope. Praise to God. |
HART (MALE DEER) |
Represented either faithfulness, thirsting for God, or Christ slaying Satan. |
HEART |
Love, mortality, love of God, courage and intelligence. |
HOLLY |
Foresight |
HORSE |
Courage or generosity. An attribute of St. George, St. Martin, St. Maurice, and St. Victor, all of whom represented in Christian art on horseback. |
HORSESHOE |
Protection against evil |
HOURGLASS |
Swiftness of time; short life. Its use associated with personified figures of Death and Father Time comes out of a long tradition of mortuary symbolism. Rarely used alone; usually appeared along with hearts, stars, leaves, and sacred flowering vines. |
IHS (occasionally seen as IXC) |
Signifies devotion to Jesus Christ; variously interpreted as an abbreviation for His name as spelled in ancient languages, or of the Latin phrase Iesu Hominum Salvator (Jesus, mankind’s Savior) |
IVY |
Because it stays green forever, it has long been symbolic of immortality; eternal life. Also may signify friendship. |
KEYS |
Keys stand for spiritual knowledge or, if held in the hands of an angel or saint, the means to enter heaven. |
KNOT |
The interlaced Celtic knot represents resurrection and life everlasting. |
LABRYNTH |
The passage of life. |
LAMB |
This is the most common animal symbol found on a child’s grave. The use of the lamb in religious art pre-dates Christianity and appears to have been used first by the Egyptians. It signifies purity and innocence. Because the lamb is a symbol of Christ: “Behold the lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (Bible, John 1:29) it appears throughout the ages with great regularity in Christian art. |
LADDER |
Scale of perfection |
LAMP |
Knowledge, a love of learning, and the immortality of the spirit. |
LILY |
Innocence, purity, and resurrection. Often associated with the Virgin Mary and resurrection and used on women’s graves. The use of lilies at funerals symbolizes the restored innocence of the soul at death. |
LILY OF THE VALLEY |
Return to happiness, purity, humility |
LION |
Symbolizes the power of God and guards the tomb against evil spirits. Like other guardians, the lion’s watch is as eternal as the stone of which it is depicted. The lion also recalls the courage and determination of the souls which they guard, they manifest the spirit of the departed. Resurrection. |
Part II
MENORAH |
Seven-branched candlestick that is a Jewish symbol for divine presence of God. The seven branches of the candlestick represent the seven channels of the spiritual self-expression. |
MERMAID |
Dualism of Christ – half God, half man |
MOSS |
Merit. |
MORNING GLORY |
Resurrection, mourning, youth, farewell, brevity of life, departure, mortality; beginning of life. |
MULBERRY |
I will not survive you. |
OAK |
Strength. It is believed to have been the tree from which Jesus Christ’s cross was made. In smaller pioneer cemeteries, it is common to place children’s graves near oak trees. The oak tree was the tree of life in pre-Christian times. The Druids worshipped the oak. |
OLIVE BRANCH |
Peace; symbol of safety which the dove brought to Noah after the flood |
PALL, PICK, SPADE |
Mortality |
PALM |
Spiritual victory, success, eternal peace, a symbol of Christ’s victory over death as associated with Easter. |
PANSY |
Symbolizes remembrance and humility. |
PASSION FLOWER |
The elements of the passion of Christ: the lacy crown-the crown of thorns; the five stamens-the five wounds; the ten petals- the ten faithful apostles. |
PEACOCK |
Symbolized the incorruptibility of flesh, resurrection, beauty of soul, immortality. |
PENTAGRAM |
This is a five-pointed, star-shaped figure made by extending the sides of a regular pentagon until they meet. This figure pre-dates Christianity and was first known to be used by Pythagoras, the Greek philosopher. Later, in the Middle Ages, the pentagram was used by magicians and sorcerers. It was believed that the pentagram offered protection against evil. Christianity adopted the figure and the symbolism to suggest the five wounds suffered by Christ on the cross. It is interesting to note that the pentagram is used by both Christianity and Wicca (witchcraft). |
P. of H. |
Patrons of Husbandry/ a grange affiliation. |
PINE |
Fertility, regeneration, fidelity. |
PINEAPPLE |
Hospitality, good host. |
PITCHER OR EWER |
Traditional Jewish symbol found on a man’s gravestone, signifying a Levite, who was responsible for cleaning the hands of the Temple Priest before he performed his priestly duties. |
POPPY |
Peace, rest, sleep, eternal sleep, consolation. |
PORTALS |
Passageway to eternal journey. |
PYRAMID |
Eternity. It was supposed that a pyramid-shaped tombstone prevented the devil from reclining on a grave. |
RELICT |
Widow |
R.I.P. |
Short form for Requiescat In Pace (Rest In Peace) |
ROD or STAFF |
Comfort |
ROOSTER |
Awakening, courage, vigilance. |
ROSE |
Love, beauty, hope, unfailing love, associated with the Virgin Mary, the “rose without thorns.” A red rose symbolizes martyrdom and a white rose symbolizes purity and virginity. |
SCROLL |
Symbol of life and time. Both ends rolled up indicate a life that is unfolding like a scroll of uncertain length and the past and future hidden. Often held by a hand representing life being recorded by angels. The scroll can also suggest honor and commemoration. |
SCYTHE |
Death, the divine harvest. |
SERPENT |
Shown swallowing its own tail, it represents spiritual striving. |
SHAMROCK |
Ireland as country of origin. |
SHELL |
The use of shell in burials is pre-Christian in practice and pre-dates even Egyptian burial practices. Shell is symbolic of fertility, resurrection and pilgrimage. Shell, small stones, and coins are the traditional objects left at grave sites. There are several meanings given to this act. It may be a symbolic referral to the ancient custom of burying the dead under a cairn of rocks to protect the body from scavenging animals, or a reminder that the individual is not forgotten. |
SHIP |
The grave of a seafarer. |
SICKLE |
Death as the “last harvest”. |
SKULL/SKELETON |
Mortality; death. |
SNAKE in a CIRCLE |
Everlasting life in Heaven. |
SOLDIER on HORSEBACK |
While some sources state that the following meanings are not uniformly intended by the monument craftsman, other sources state that if the horse has both front hoofs in the air, the person died in battle. If one hoof is raised, the person died as a result of wounds; if the horse has all four hoofs on the ground, the person died of natural causes. |
SQUARE |
It represents the earth and earthly existence. Some monuments have a cube or square inverted to point the corners downward and upward. This illustrates earthly existence and the directions of earth and heaven. |
SQUIRREL w/ NUT |
Religious meditation or spiritual striving. |
STAR |
Five-pointed star- Symbolic of the life of Christ and may also represent the five wounds of Christ. |
SUN SETTING |
Death. |
SUN RISING/SHINING or w/RAYS |
Renewed life; resurrection |
SWASTIKA |
Exact origin is unknown but it is considered one of the oldest and widespread symbols used. Commonly found on Buddhist memorials, it represents the sea of the Buddha’s heart; the doctrine of the Buddha; the round of existence. To the Chinese, the swastika had two forms symbolizing the male and female; clock-wise and counter-clockwise. Also used by the Romans and later by the Nazi party in Germany during the Second World War. |
SWORD |
A military career. |
THISTLE |
Earthly sorrow, Christ’s crown of thorns, Scotland as country of origin, remembrance. |
TREE |
The all-covering love of Christ. Life, The Tree of Life. |
TORCH |
Lit or upright the torch represents life. |
TORCH INVERTED |
Life extinguished. |
TRIANGLE/TREFOIL/ |
In Christianity, the equilateral triangle is the symbol of the Trinity. Other geometric shapes representing the Holy Trinity are the trefoil, the triquetra, the circle within the triangle, the triangle in the circle and the triquetra and circle. To the ancient Egyptians, the triangle was an emblem of Godhead; to the Pythagoreans, it symbolized wisdom. Another use of the triangle is in the symbol of the eye (Eye of God) surrounded by a triangle. |
TRUMPETS |
Victory and resurrection. |
TRUMPETERS |
Heralds of the resurrection. |
URN |
Greek symbol of mourning, the body as a vessel of the soul, originating as repository for the ashes of the dead in ancient times – a popular symbol of mourning. |
URN w/BLAZE |
Undying friendship. |
VESSEL w/FLAME |
The eternal flame or the eternal spirit of man. |
VINE |
The sacraments, God’s blood, God |
WEEPING WILLOW |
Mourning, grief. Nature’s lament, a symbol of sorrow. |
WHEAT |
Resurrection, bread and wine (Christian), fertility. Convent bakers use wheat flour to make communion wafers, making it a holy plant, of sorts, fit to grace the tombstone of a priest. |
WINGED FACE |
Effigy of the soul of the deceased. |
WINGED GLOBE |
A symbol of the first Egyptian sun god, Re. On Victorian monuments it is symbolic of the power that can recreate and, with the wings, means, “God, Lord over all, creator.” |
WINGED SKULL |
Flight of the soul from mortal man. |
WINGED WHEEL |
Symbolized the Holy Spirit. |
WOMAN HANGING ONTO CROSS |
Faith. Original drawing accompanied Rev. Toplady’s hymn “Rock of Ages.” Also seen as woman clinging to pillar or anchor. Common motif on white bronze monuments and Masonic grave memorials. |
YEW TREE |
Sadness, eternal life. |
See all your Headstones choices