CEMETERY SYMBOLISM

I INCLUDE THIS LIST BECAUSE MOST OF US ENTER A CEMETERY AT LEAST A FEW TIMES IN OUR LIVES. WE GHOST HUNTERS DO SO OFTEN. SINCE WE VIEW SO MANY MONUMENTS AND HEADSTONES, IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

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ANCHOR- hope, or at rest
ARROW- mortality
ANGELS-spirituality, rebirth
BED-deathbed
BROKEN COLUMN-decay, loss
BIBLE-Christian, faith
BUTTERFLY-resurrection, short life
BIRD-eternal life
BROKEN RING-family circle severed
CIRCLE-eternity
CROSS-faith, hope, charity
CYPRESS TREE-deep mourning
CHALICE-sacraments
CRESCENT-a Muslim
CROWN-glory, achievement
COFFIN-mortality
CANDLE BEING SNUFFED-loss of life
DOVE-the soul, peace
DOG-worthy of love
FLAME-immortality
FRUITS-eternal plenty
GARLAND-saintliness, glory
GRIM REAPER-death personified
HANDS-farewell
HORSE-courage, generosity
HOURGLASS-passage of life, time run out
HEART-love, devotion
HORNS-resurrection
HARP-praise to God
I.H.S.-Jesus the savior of humanity
IVY-friendship, immortality
LAMB-innocence
LABYRINTH-passage of life
LAMP-sanctity, a child
LAUREL-victory, peace
LILY- chastity, purity
LION-resurrection, courage
MENORAH- Judaism
MORNING GLORY-beginning of life
OBELISK-eternal life
OAK-power, strength
PELICAN-charity
PHOENIX-resurrection
PYRAMID-eternity
POPPY-eternal sleep
PALM BRANCH-victory, rejoicing
ROCKS-everlasting strength
ROSE-silence, without a loved one 
ROOSTER- awakening
ROSEMARY-remembrance

SCYTHE-time
SHIP-Christianity
SHELL-pilgrimage
SKULL- mortality
SNAKE- eternity
SUNDIAL- passage of time
SWORD- justice, fortitude
STAR- light of the spirit
SUN- light, warmth, renewal
TORCH- immortality
TREE-knowledge, shortened life
THISTLE- of Scottish descent
URN- mortality
WHEAT-fruitfulness, harvest
WILLOW- grief, mourning
YEW- deep mourning


by Cindy

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credits to:

A to Z of cemetery symbols
www.tales.ndirect.co uk/A_ZINDEX.HTML


City of the silent
www.alsirat.com


Cemetery studies by Pam Reid
www.angelfire.com/ky2/cemetery/reid.html

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A NOTE ABOUT CEMETERIES:
IT IS IMPORTANT WHENEVER ENTERING A CEMETERY THAT WE RESPECT BOTH THE PLACE AND ITS INHABITANTS. WE THE LVING ARE ONLY VISITORS TO THESE AREAS. VALDALISM, TRESPASSING,AND LITTERING SHOULD NEVER BE PART OF WHAT WE DO THERE!