Graveyard Symbolism A - F

ACORN

Immortality
As the seed of the oak, the acorn is a symbol of potential.

In Norse and Celtic culture, acorns symbolized life, fertility and immortality.Druids ate acorns, believing them to have prophetic qualities, and acorns were sacred to the god Thor, whose Tree of Life was the Oak.

Acorns and oak leaves form one of the circular "hex signs" used by the Amish and Mennonite communities of southern Pennsylvania, the various signs were believed to bestow favors such as protection or natural abundance.


* Oak Leaves & Acorn - Maturity, Ripe Old Age

ALPHA AND OMEGA

The Beginning and The End
Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Symbolizing the beginning and the end.

The shape of Alpha is related to a pair of compasses - an attribute of god the creator, while Omega's shape is similar to a torch -- the fire of apocalyptic destruction.

The Christian symbol juxtaposing the two letters is derived from the book of Revelation: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last". (Revelation 22:13).

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 funerary symbolism in the art of the catacombs. Often set amongst rocks. It can also be an occupational symbol in sea-faring areas or the attribute of Saint Nicholas, patron saint of seamen, symbolized hope and steadfastness. An anchor with a broken chain stands for the cessation of life.

ANGELS

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 commonly identified by the objects they carry: Michael, who bears a sword and Gabriel, who is depicted with a horn.
• Blowing a trumpet (or even two trumpets) - Representing the day of judgment, and “Call to the Resurrection”.
• Carrying the departed soul - As a child in their arms, or as a Guardian embracing the dead. The messengers of god" are often shown escorting the deceased to heaven.
• Angel/Cherubim - Guardians of a sacred place, servants of God; divine wisdom or justice.
• Flying – Rebirth.
• Many angels gathered together in the clouds - Represents heaven.
• Angel Weeping - Grief, or mourning an untimely death.

BIRD IN FLIGHT

Bird in flight - These are symbolic of the "winged soul." The representation of the soul by a bird goes back to ancient Egypt. Some older burial art features only wings to convey the symbol of divine mission. Often denote the graves of children, eternal life.

BUTTERFLY

The soul
Although quite rare, it is occasionally seen on graves (most often of children). It is symbolic of the resurrection of Christ. The meaning is derived from the three stages of the life of the butterfly—the caterpillar, the chrysalis, and the butterfly. The three stages are symbols of life, death and resurrection. Short-life.

CROSSES

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 symbolic messages ranging from love, faith and goodness to terror and fear (e.g. the Ku-Klux-Klan’s use of the burning cross). There are many different types of Christian crosses worldwide, but only a handful is common in North America.

• Botonee Cross - So named because of its modified trefoil (three-lobed) ends, represents the trinity.
• Calvary Cross - A Latin cross standing on three steps or blocks, it signifies faith, hope and love. Love is sometimes replaced by charity.
• Celtic Cross - The circle around the crosspiece symbolizes eternity. It's origin can be traced to the Celtic cultures of the British Isles. There is a legend of how St. Patrick when preaching to some soon to be converted heathens was shown a sacred standing stone that was marked with a circle that was symbolic of the moon goddess. Patrick made the mark of a Latin cross through the circle and blessed the stone making the first Celtic Cross.
• Eastern Cross - Used in Orthodox (Russian/Greek) Christian Religions, this cross upper horizontal shoulder representing the inscription over the head of Jesus. The lower slanting shoulder represents the footrest of the crucified Jesus.
• Fleuree Cross/Gothic Cross - This flowered cross symbolizes the adult Christian by its more opened flared out ends.
• Greek Cross - It has four arms equal in length and is the traditional symbol of Christian faith. The equal length drawings of the cross is pre-Christian, and in paganism, represented the four elements—earth, air, fire and water. 
• Ionic Cross - Similar to the Celtic Cross, it's ends flair outward. The ionic cross signifies everlasting salvation, love and glory. The circle around the crosspiece symbolizes eternity.
• Latin Cross - One of the oldest symbols of Christianity and the most commonly used form, it is also the simplest in design. In early times, it was called god's mark.
• Latin Cross surrounded by circle or oval - Representing eternity or never-ending existence.

DOVE

The dove is most frequently depicted as holding an olive branch in its beak.  The dove also signifies purity and peace. The symbol of the dove with an olive branch is universally representative of peace.

 The dove is an appropriate symbol for burial markers as it also represents “the passing from one state or world to another.”  Across time, the sacred dove has been associated with funerary cults and was sacred to all Mother Goddesses, depicting femininity and maternity.

DOVE – DOUBLE HEAD

A double-headed dove, much like the double-headed eagle, signifies the dualnature of unity. The double-headed dove shown below appears to be part of anolder Masonic emblem which time has effectively erased. This symbol representsthe dual nature of unity and is also an imperial emblem of power and protection. According to the Association for Gravestone Studies, it also symbolizes a 32nd or 33rd degree Mason.

DRAGON

There are dramatically different interpretations in Eastern and Western cultures. In the Orient, the dragon protects humans from evil spirits and represents joy, health and fertility. But in Western cultures, the dragon possesses the negative traits of the snake, destruction, danger, depravity, and loss of innocence. In Jewish tradition, mythical beasts like the dragon are messianic creatures. Also, a dragon being defeated by St. George depicts triumph over sin.

EYE OF HORUS, EYE OF PROVIDENCE

Symbolizes the watchful eye of God.
A carved eye seen upon a gravestone, represents an omnipresent, all-seeing God. When the eye is enclosed within a triangle, the triangle is symbolic of the Holy Trinity; the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

This symbol first appeared in the west during the 17th and 18th centuries, as the Eye of Providence, depicting good fortune and prosperity, but representations of an all-seeing eye can be traced back to Egyptian mythology and the Eye of Horus.

FLOWERS

Flowers are often found in cemeteries not only as fresh offerings to departed members of the family or to friends but as carved images on headstones. Flowers are important symbols in many cultures, representing gods and goddesses, the soul and the spiritual flowering of the spirit, immortality and the brevity of life, and of course, rebirth. During the Festival of Rosalia in ancient Rome, roses were scattered over graves.

*  Roses

The rose has, as many symbols do, a dual nature. It has represented “heavily perfection as well as earthly passion.”  It also symbolizes both life and death, immortality and the limits of Time. As used in association with funeral traditions, the rose symbolizes eternal life and resurrection. In Christian lore, the rose grows on the Tree of Life, signifying regeneration and eternal life.