what they mean
Key to Tombstone Engravings
Anchor/Ships.....................Hope or a Mariner
Arches...........................Victory in Death/Entry to Heaven
Arrows...........................Mortality
Bird.............................Eternal Life
Bird flying......................Resurrection
Book open........................Teacher
Bible open.......................Minister
Bouquets flowers.................Condolences, grief, sorrow
Broken column....................Loss of Head of family
Bugles...........................Resurrection,or Military
Butterfly........................Short lived, Early death/Resurrection
Candle being snuffed.............Time, Mortality
Cherub...........................Angelic
Clover.........................The Godhead
Corn.............................Ripe old age
Cross............................Emblem of faith
Crosses:
Celtic ....................Immortality
Greek/Latin...........Christianity
Latin 3 step............Godhead, Faith, Charity
Maltese..................Bravery
St. Andrews...........Martydom
Crossed swords...................High ranking military person
Crown.........................Heavenly reward
Darts or Coffin..................Father time
Dove.............................Innocence, Gentleness, Affection, Purity/Peace/Holy Spirit
Flying birds ....................Flight of the soul
Fruit............................Eternal plent
Garlands.........................Victory in death
Hands shaking....................Farewell
Harp.............................Praise to the Maker
Hearts...........................Soul in bliss or love of Christ
Horns............................The Resurrection
Hourglass........................Swiftness of time/Flight of time
Hand of God Chopping.............Sudden Death
Hourglass with wings.............Time flying, short life
Imps.............................Mortality
Ivy..............................Friendship and Immortality
Lamb.............................Innocence/Purity (children)
Lamp..............................Knowledge of God
Laurel...........................Fame or Victory
Lily or lily of Valley...........Emblem of Innocence and purity
Morning glory....................Beginning of life
Oak.....................................Strength
Oak leaves & acorn...............Maturity, and ripe old age
Palm branches....................Signifies Victory and rejoicing
Passion Flower....................Passion of Jesus
Phoenix..............................I will rise again
Picks & Shovels..................Mortality
Poppy............................Sleep
Portals..........................Passageway to eternal life
Rings broken.....................Family circle severed
Rose...............................Love
Rose bud.........................Morning of life, renewal of life
Rose fully opened................Prime of life
Roses............................Brevity of earthly life
Shell..............................Baptism
Shells...........................Pilgrimage of life
Stars & stripes on eagle.........Eternal vigilance liberty
Sword............................Victory/Justice/Mercy
Thistles.........................Rememberance
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/crepe............Mourning
Violets................................Humility
Weeping willow...................Emblem of sorrow
Wheat sheaf......................Fruitfulness/Ripe for harvest/Gathered in for the old
Weeping Willow.........................Earthly sorrow/Grief
Winged Effigies..................Flight of the soul
Yew................................Immortality
