Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
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GRAVESTONE ART. Between 1840 and 1905 symbols used on grave markers were a common language to visitors in cemeteries. The symbols were designed to show ideas about the character and attitudes of the deceased. This language is gradually being lost. The symbols described below are only a few of the many once used. | |||
Alpha and Omega--the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet symbolizing the beginning and end of life | Alpha and Omega--the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet symbolizing the beginning and end of life | ||
[[Image:anchor.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Anchor--a Christian symbol of faith and hope. The idea that the deceased is anchored safely in God’s harbor. Also a Masonic symbol for well-grounded hope]] | |||
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Artillery--military service | Artillery--military service | ||
Beehive--often used by the Free | Beehive--often used by the Free Masons symbolizing faith, education and domestic values | ||
Bible--indicates the deep Christian belief of the person, often used on graves of clergy | |||
Bird--messenger of God | |||
[[Image:ship.JPG|left|thumb|150px|Boat--voyage, crossing over to the other side]] | |||
Bones--death, decay | Bones--death, decay | ||
Broken Bud or Branch--symbol of someone who died an untimely death | [[Image:bud.JPG|left|thumb|150px|Broken Bud or Branch--symbol of someone who died an untimely death]] | ||
Broken Chain--loss in the family | Broken Chain--loss in the family | ||
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Circle--eternal life | Circle--eternal life | ||
[[Image:hands.jpg|left|thumb|150px| | [[Image:hands.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Clasped Hands--farewell to earthly existence, also unity]] | ||
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Coffin--symbol of mortality and death | Coffin--symbol of mortality and death | ||
Column--with a capital showed that the person had lived to the expected age of 70, a shorter column indicated that the person had died earlier | [[Image:column.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Column--with a capital showed that the person had lived to the expected age of 70, a shorter column indicated that the person had died earlier]] | ||
Corn--fertility | Corn--fertility | ||
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Cross--promise of salvation | Cross--promise of salvation | ||
[[Image:crown.jpg|left|thumb|150px| | [[Image:crown.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Crown--victory of eternal life over death]] | ||
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Dove--represents the Holy Spirit or a messenger of God | Dove--represents the Holy Spirit or a messenger of God | ||
[[Image:drapes.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Drapery--mourning]] | |||
[[Image:drapes-2.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Shroud over the stone]] | |||
[[Image:lily.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Easter Lily--purity]] | |||
[[Image:fern.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Fern--humility and sincerity]] | |||
[[Image:gates.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Gates--usually shown open meaning the passage from life to death]] | |||
[[Image:grapes-3.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Grapes--blood of Christ]] | |||
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Hammer--power of creation | Hammer--power of creation | ||
[[Image:finger.jpg|left|thumb|150px| | [[Image:finger.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Hand--if it reaches downward it is the hand of God or pointing upward to heaven]] | ||
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Keys--spiritual power on earth and in heaven | Keys--spiritual power on earth and in heaven | ||
Knot--symbol of marriage | [[Image:knot.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Knot--symbol of marriage]] | ||
[[Image:lamb.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Lamb--ordinarily used for the graves of children and means innocence]] | |||
Lamp--the light of eternal life, wisdom | Lamp--the light of eternal life, wisdom | ||
[[Image:oak.jpg|left|thumb|150px| | [[Image:oak.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Leaves. Leaves--Oak [shown](strength of faith), ivy (steadfastness of faith), grape (maturity in years), laurel (victory of life over death)]] | ||
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Rabbit--humility, self-sacrifice | Rabbit--humility, self-sacrifice | ||
Rose--an open flower means an adult woman, rose buds are used on the graves of infants and small children, partially open buds would refer to young girls | [[Image:rose.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Rose--an open flower means an adult woman, rose buds are used on the graves of infants and small children, partially open buds would refer to young girls]] | ||
Rooster--vigilance | Rooster--vigilance | ||
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Scales--represent judgment | Scales--represent judgment | ||
[[Image:scroll.jpg|left|thumb|150px| | [[Image:scroll.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Scroll--a record of the good and bad deeds of the dead]] | ||
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[[Image:gravestone-2.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Cut down trees indicated a life cut short.]] | [[Image:gravestone-2.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Cut down trees indicated a life cut short.]] | ||
[[Image:trees.jpg|right|thumb|150px| | [[Image:trees.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Tree--symbol of immortality, branches cut off often indicated the birth of girls who could not carry on the family name]] | ||
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Trumpet--symbol of judgment and resurrection | Trumpet--symbol of judgment and resurrection | ||
[[Image:urn.jpg|left|thumb|250px|]] | [[Image:urn.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Urn--symbol of death]] | ||
[[Image:gravestone-1.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Vacant chair--death of a child]] | |||
[[Image:shoes.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Small shoes--death of a child]] | |||
[[Image:fern.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Vine--sign of spiritual life provided through Jesus]] | |||
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[[Image:willows-2.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Weeping Willow--sign of sadness]] | |||
Latest revision as of 03:12, 19 April 2018
GRAVESTONE ART. Between 1840 and 1905 symbols used on grave markers were a common language to visitors in cemeteries. The symbols were designed to show ideas about the character and attitudes of the deceased. This language is gradually being lost. The symbols described below are only a few of the many once used.
Alpha and Omega--the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet symbolizing the beginning and end of life
Angel--a guide to heaven
Anvil--symbolizing the creation of the universe
Arch--passage to heaven
Arrow--Christian symbol of the sure salvation of the soul
Artillery--military service
Beehive--often used by the Free Masons symbolizing faith, education and domestic values
Bible--indicates the deep Christian belief of the person, often used on graves of clergy
Bird--messenger of God
Bones--death, decay
Broken Chain--loss in the family
Broken Wheel--a break in the cycle of life
Butterfly--short life or resurrection
Century Plant--everlasting life
Chain--a full chain represents a family, a broken chain shows the loss of a person
Circle--eternal life
Clock--time has run out for this person
Coffin--symbol of mortality and death
Corn--fertility
Cornucopia--symbol of an abundant life
Cross--promise of salvation
Daisy--symbol of innocence
Dog--vigilance, watchfulness, loyalty
Dove--represents the Holy Spirit or a messenger of God
Hammer--power of creation
Harp--symbol of joy
Hour Glass--indication that time has run out for the dead
Ivy--friendship
Keys--spiritual power on earth and in heaven
Lamp--the light of eternal life, wisdom
Lion--courage
Lotus--symbol of creation and rebirth
Moon or Star or Sun--a heavenly body meaning that the dead has gone to heaven
Ox--patience and strength
Palm tree or frond--victory over death
Poppy--eternal sleep
Rabbit--humility, self-sacrifice
Rooster--vigilance
Scales--represent judgment
Shell--rebirth
Sickle--reaping of life
Soldier on Horse--two or more feet raised--death in battle, one leg raised off the ground--death from wounds in battle, standing with all four legs on the ground--natural death
Sun--soul rising to heaven
Sunflower--devotion to God
Swords--martyrdom
Torch--upside down meant death, most were shown lighted showing life after death
Thistle--earthly sorrow
Trumpet--symbol of judgment and resurrection
Wheel--symbol of old age, often shown broken representing death
Wreath--victory in death