Back ]            Home           Genealogy Index

 

Gravestone Motifs Symbolism

These are a few of many motifs found on gravestones with some of the commonly held interpretations of their symbolism. The following list was compiled from several different sources. I welcome additions. 

Anchor, ships
Angel, flying
Angel, trumpeting
Angel, weeping
Arch
Arrow

Bird
Bird, flying
Book
Breasts (gourds)
Bouquets, flowers
Broken column
Broken ring severed 
Buds, rosebud 
Bugles
Butterfly

Candle being snuffed
Cherub
Coffin, Father Time
Columns and doors
Corn
Cross
Crossed swords
Crown
Cup or chalice

Dove
Dove, flying
Drapes

Flame or light
Flower
Flower
Flying birds
Fruits
Full blown rose

Garland or wreath
Grim Reaper

Hand, pointing up
Hands, clasped
Hand of God chopping
Handshakes
Harp
Heart
Horns
Hourglass
Hourglass, flying 

Imps
Ivy

Lamb
Laurel
Lily or lily of valley
Lion 

Morning glory

Oak Leaves and acorn
Open Book, Bible

Pall
Palm branch
Pick
Poppy
Portals

Rod or staff
Rooster
Roses

Scythe
Seashell
Sheaf of wheat
Skull
Skull, crossed bones
Skeleton
Snake (tail in mouth)
Spade
Stars & Stripes around eagle
Sun rising
Sun shining
Sun setting

Thistle
Thistles
Tombs
Torch inverted
Tree
Tree - sprouting
Tree - severed branch
Tree stump
Tree stump with ivy
Tree trunk
Tree trunk leaning
Trumpeters

Urn
Urn with wreath or crepe
Urn with blaze

Weeping willow tree
Willows
Winged face
Winged skull
Wreath
Wreath on skull
Wheat strands or sheaves

Hope or seafaring profession 
Rebirth; Resurrection. 
Resurrection. 
Grief and mourning. 
Victory in death. 
Mortality. 

Eternal life. 
Resurrection. 
Representation of a holy book.
Nourishment of the soul; the church.
Condolences, grief, sorrow 
Loss of head of family 
Family circle severed 
Morning of life or renewal of life 
Resurrection and the military 
Short-lived - early death 

Time, mortality 
Angelic 
Mortality 
Heavenly entrance. 
Ripe old age 
Emblem of faith 
High-ranking military person 
Glory of life after death. 
The Sacraments. 

Purity; devotion. 
Resurrection. 
Mourning; mortality. 

Life, Resurrection. 
Fragility of life. 
Shortened life. 
Flight of the soul 
Eternal plenty 
Prime of life 

Victory in death. 
Death personified. 

Pathway to heaven, Heavenly reward. 
The goodbyes said at death. 
Sudden death
Farewell 
Praise to the Maker 
Love of God; abode of the soul; mortality. 
The Resurrection 
Passing of time. 
Time flies. 

Mortality 
Friendship and immortality 

Innocence. 
Fame or victory 
Emblem of innocence and purity 
Courage; The Lion of Judah. 

Beginning of life 

Maturity, ripe old age 
Deceased teacher, minister, etc. 

Mortality. 
Signifies victory and rejoicing 
Death; mortality. 
Sleep 
Passageway to eternal journey 

Comfort for the bereaved. 
Awakening; Resurrection.
Brevity of earthly existence 

Death; the divine harvest. 
Resurrection; life everlasting.
Ripe for harvest, divine harvest, time 
Mortality. 
Death. 
Life's brevity. 
Everlasting life in heaven. 
Mortality; death. 
Eternal vigilance, liberty 
Renewed life. 
Life everlasting. 
Death. 

Scottish descent. 
Remembrance 
Mortality 
Life extinct 
Life. 
Life everlasting. 
Mortality. 
Life interrupted. 
Immortality 
Brevity of life. 
Short interrupted life. 
Heralds of the Resurrection 

Immortality (from ancient Egyptian beliefs). 
Mourning 
Undying friendship 

Mourning; grief; nature's lament. 
Earthly sorrow 
Effigy of the deceased soul; soul in flight. 
Flight of the soul from mortal man. 
Victory. 
Victory of death over life. 
The divine harvest.


Top Of Page